How do I know if the fume hood in my laboratory is working correctly?
Safety is the primary function of fume hoods. Proper performance and use of the fume hood is essential in providing safety to the user and other laboratory personnel. They exhaust toxic, flammable, noxious, or hazardous fumes and vapors by capturing, diluting, and exhausting these materials through the ductwork. If used correctly fume hoods also provide spill containment and physical protection against fire and explosion.
Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) evaluates and certifies laboratory fume hoods used at Texas A&M University. To be certified by EHS, fume hood’s average face velocity, the overall condition of the hood, and the types and quantities of chemicals used in the hood are evaluated. Requirements for certification may vary according to hood design and use.
EHS uses the ANSI/AIHA Z9.5-2012 standard for certification of fume hoods across Texas A&M University campus.
Fume hoods are evaluated and certified annually. They may also need certification at other times. Examples of such instances include:
- After major lab renovations or fume hood repair work
- Newly installed fume hoods
- After relocation of the fume hood to a different building/room in the same building.
- If you smell vapors or fumes when working in the hood
When should I contact EHS?
If any or all of the following is noticed please contact EHS at ehsd-fumehood@tamu.edu
- If the Kim-wipe test fails (please see below)
- If the light in the fume is not working
- If you do not hear the fume hood running
- If you smell fumes or vapors when working in the hood
- If the hood has been relocated
- If you have a new hood in your lab
- If the white inspection sticker is missing but the hood is not tagged out of service
How do I know my fume hood passed the certification test?