Fume Hoods

Fume hoods are required safety equipment in every laboratory using hazardous and flammable chemicals. It is required that researchers utilize the fume hoods for laboratory work when using hazardous chemicals that pose an inhalation hazard, produce gas and vapors, and when performing chemical reactions that result in strong exothermic reactions such as diluting or mixing acids with bases.

The fume hoods will be routinely maintained and certified each year through the Office of Environmental Health and Safety. It is the responsibility of the researcher to monitor the proper functioning of the fume hoods in their laboratory and report any operational issues immediately.

When using the fume hood: 

• researchers must have the sash at, or below the arrow indicated on the side of the opening. 
• Fume hoods should be kept uncluttered as they are not intended for chemical storage, and cluttering can impact the airflow. 
• When no work is being conducted inside of the fume hood, sashes should be completely shut. 
• If experiments have to occur for long periods of time within the fume hood, signage is needed outside of the fume hood to alert personnel that an experiment is occurring and to designate an emergency contact for the experiment. 

Applicable Policies and Guides

• Laboratory Safety Manual – (Link when document goes live)
• 29 CFR 1910.1450 (OSHA Laboratory Standard)