Providing services that help make The University of Memphisa safe and healthful place to learn and work

Environmental Health and Safety

Laboratory Ventilation: …Exhausting Work

Don’t be baffled by it .

VAV System

Outside Air

Damper Actuator

Sash Sensor

Illustration Courtesy Exposure Control Technologies, Inc.

Strobic® exhaust fan draws fumes out of the lab via

ducts.

Phoenix valve maintains constant hood face velocity at any sash height.

Face Velocity MeterNormal face velocity is 100 fpm

Standby face velocity is 60 fpm

Status Lights

Lights indicate normal operation of the fume hood.

If hood is safe to use, one of these must be illuminated.

Zone Presence Sensor automatically shifts system between normal and standby modes.

Zone Presence Sensor

Energy Waste AlertYellow light and audible alarm indicate sash is open and room lights are off. Close the sash!

Caution Flow Alarm

Red light and audible alarm will warn of unsafe air flow.

Immediately close sash, leave the area, and call 2699 to report malfunction.

Do not use the hood!

Push on to increase face velocity during a major hazardous material release. Push off to return to normal operation.

Emergency Switch

Emergency Exhaust Indicator

Red light and audible alarm indicate hood is in emergency exhaust mode. Note face velocity increase.

Mute Switch

Push to silence audible alarm. Status lights will remain illuminated until status reverts to normal.

Use your ventilated storage cabinets appropriately. Separate chemicals by compatibility, and provide secondary containment within the cabinets.

Be good to your hood!

• Keep it clean

• Protect radiochemical hoods from corrosion

• Read the owners manual

Tips for Safe Hood Use

• Confirm that the hood is working before you use it

• In case of hood failure, stop work in the hood, close the sash, and leave the area

• Keep the sash at or below the level indicated by the arrows

• Keep all apparatus and materials at least six inches from the fume hood face

• Elevate apparatus off the hood work surface

Tips for Safe Hood Use

• Keep slots in the back of the fume hood unobstructed

• Minimize storage of chemicals in the hood• Keep the head and upper body out of the

hood• Minimize traffic crossing the hood face• Approach the hood from the front

Tips for Safe Hood Use

• Withdraw hands and arms slowly

• Open and close the sash slowly

• Keep the sash closed when not actively using the hood