Fume hoods play a key role in the semiconductor, pharmaceutical, and biomedical industries. They are used in laboratories and clean rooms to protect researchers from hazardous fumes, vapors, and dust by drawing the contaminated air away from the work area and venting it out into a separate space. Keep reading to learn about the different types of fume hoods and how to select the right one for your application.
What Are the Different Types of Fume Hoods?
There are numerous types of fume hoods, with many offering different features and customization options for specific applications. Some of the most common types of fume hoods include:
- Constant air volume (CAV) fume hoods. CAV hoods are the most common type of fume hood. These exhaust the same amount of air at all times, whether the sash is open or closed. These fume hoods have higher energy requirements compared to other types.
- Bypass fume hoods. With bypass fume hoods, a portion of the airflow bypasses the work area, making these models a more energy-efficient option. Bypass hoods also increase safety by limiting the turbulence that can occur when the sash is closed.
- Variable air volume (VAV) fume hoods. This type of hood includes an exhaust valve to manage the flow of air through the hood, providing maximum energy efficiency and flexibility. VAV fume hoods are suitable for laboratories with varying chemical usage, allowing technicians to adjust airflow based on the current compounds being used.
How To Select the Right Fume Hood
Choosing the right fume hood is essential to ensure safety and efficiency. Assessing the following factors can help streamline the decision-making process.
- Laboratory layout and space. Before you decide on a particular fume hood, consider the layout of your lab and the amount of space it requires to operate safely. Hoods should generally be at least 10 feet away from doorways and exits.
- The type of chemicals being used. A major factor to consider when choosing a fume hood is the type of chemicals you will be using in your facility. This will influence the level of containment you’ll need from your fume hood.
- Ventilation requirements. When choosing a fume hood, it’s also important to think about your ventilation requirements. Consider the chemicals you use and the type of work you’ll be doing, as you’ll want to make sure the fume hood has sufficient airflow to handle your work.
- Budgetary needs. Evaluate the initial cost of different fume hoods relative to their ongoing operational costs, and then compare these costs to your current budget.
- Ergonomics and user comfort. When comparing different models and design features, you’ll want a hood design that is comfortable to use and helps minimize user fatigue. Customizing your hood provides added design flexibility, allowing you to integrate features that meet your lab’s specific needs.
Our Fume Hood Products
If you’re in the market for a new fume hood for your laboratory, consider partnering with Plastic Design Inc. We offer a wide range of customizable fume hoods and can design the perfect solution for your facility. Not only are our fume hoods built to last, ensuring long-term performance, but we also incorporate the latest technology to optimize airflow and energy efficiency. Our team of experts can assist you with product selection.
Fume Hoods from Plastic Design Inc.
Fume hoods play a key role in laboratories by redirecting contaminated air away from technicians to ensure a safe working environment. When choosing a fume hood for your application, it is important that you partner with a manufacturer who has experience producing high-quality equipment. Plastic Design Inc. has been working with the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries for over 45 years. We specialize in developing custom fume hoods designed to meet the needs of these industries, and we are committed to providing our customers with fume hood products that adhere to the highest quality and safety standards.
Reach out to us today to request a quote for more information about our custom fume hoods and related design services.
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