What are fume cupboards?

Fume cupboards, also known as laboratory chemical hoods, fume hoods, fume cabinets or film filtration cabinets are large pieces of scientific equipment very common in chemical, biological and medical laboratories. They are fume extraction systems designed to protect researchers in from toxic fumes.

Lab hoods were invented over one hundred years to protect scientists and lab workers who needed to handle hazardous materials.

Over the years, there have been many refinements to the original Victorian design, but the basic concept of laboratory hoods remains the same.
Fume hoods were originally made from wood, but now epoxy coated mild steel is the favoured main construction material.

Types of fume hood

There rare two main types of fume hood:

1. Ductless fume hoods
2. Re-circulating fume hoods (filtered fume hoods)

Historically, the ductless fume hood had a vent pipe made of asbestos but in modern fume extraction installations, the vent pipe is made of PVC or polypropylene.

Specialist hoods

In recent years, manufacturers have developed specific types of fume cupboards for specialist fume filtration proposes.

Perchloric acid

These units are designed for use with perchloric acid. They have a water bath system in the ductwork. Note that because perchloric acid fumes settle and create explosive crystals, it is very important that the ducts are cleaned internally using a spray system.

Low flow / high performance

These are energy-efficient low-flow / high-performance fume cupboards. They have been designed to improve operator protection while reducing expensive HVAC operating costs.

Waterwash fume cupboards

Waterwash fume cupboards have an internal wash system that cleans the inside of the unit to prevent the build up of dangerous substances.

Scrubber fume cupboards

Scrubber fume cupboards absorb the fumes through a unit filled with plastic shapes. These shapes are soaked in water. Substances removed are thus washed into a sump, which is often filled with a neutralising liquid. The fumes are then evacuated in the usual manner.

Fume cupboards

FUME CUPBOARDS

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