A fume hood is designed to limit exposure to toxic or flammable gaseous chemicals in a laboratory setting. It is vital that all lab personnel know properly utilize a fume hood to avoid chemical exposures. According to The MSDS Hyperglossary, "A properly used and properly functioning fume hood exhausts hazardous gases, dusts, mists, and vapors from a confined location and helps protect workers from inhalation exposure."
Keep the Sash Lowered
According to the University of Louisville,"A yellow label placed on the hood face indicates the most recently recommended sash height." Keep the sash (window) at the correct height to ensure proper airflow and function.
Limit Exposure
Only place your head inside the hood when performing maintenance on the device after all chemicals have cleared. Never needlessly expose yourself to the inside of the fume hood.
Placement
The best place is in the corner of a room, so that you only walk past the fume hood when you are using it. According to the University of Louisville,"A person walking past a chemical hood can create competing currents at the hood face, causing vapors to flow out."
Storage Capacity
A fume hood can only circulate so much air at one time. Only keep chemicals in the fume hood that you are currently using and avoid using it as a permanent storage space.
Professional Inspection
A fume hood needs inspection at least once a year to ensure that it is preventing outside chemical exposure.
Flammable Conditions
Be extremely careful when igniting something within a fume hood, especially if it contains flammable chemicals. A gaseous atmosphere can form at any time, resulting in the perfect conditions for an explosion.
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