Guide to Fume Hood Selection
Selection of the proper type of fume hood to use in a laboratory should be based upon two interrelated considerations:
The hood must allow the user to perform the work in a safe, efficient manner.
The need to reduce air conditioning cost.
The hood must be large enough to accommodate the required containers and apparatus within the prescribed safe work area of the hood (6" behind the plane of the sash). The configuration of the hood should be such that containers can be moved in and out of the hood easily. The sash opening of the hood must allow sufficient access for safely manipulating the containers and apparatus within the hood. The interior of the hood must resist the corrosive effects of chemicals. The hood understructure should provide for storage of the required chemicals for the work being done in the hood. The total cost of a hood is greatly affected by its exhaust air requirements. The annual cost of heating and cooling the air exhausted by the hood can be as high as the initial cost of the hood itself. Choosing the proper hood type and sash configuration can significantly reduce these costs.
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