Choosing the right fume hood is pivotal for lab safety and efficacy. These hoods, designed to channel away harmful fumes, must be tailored to the lab’s specific chemicals and spatial dynamics. Your decision should consider not just the initial cost, but also long-term expenses, adaptability, safety and compliance.
Your laboratory’s safety and efficiency deserve the best. Don’t compromise. Reach out to Johndec Engineering Plastics WA today and let us guide you in making an informed, compliant, and forward-thinking decision for your lab’s future. The right fume hood can make all the difference, and with Johndec’s expertise, you’re in capable hands.
The basic function of a fume hood
A fume hood, often referred to as a fume cupboard in some circles, is a large piece of equipment that allows lab professionals to conduct experiments involving volatile or hazardous substances. Through an exhaust system, it safely channels away toxic or harmful fumes, ensuring they don’t spread within the lab or cause harm to its occupants.
Key factors in selecting a fume hood
When establishing or upgrading a laboratory, the choice of a fume hood is of utmost importance. It’s vital not just for the safety of the personnel but also for maintaining the sanctity of delicate lab procedures. Your selection should be based on the chemicals you’ll be using, the spatial dynamics of the lab, and budgetary considerations. Let’s delve into these critical aspects:
Understanding chemicals and their needs in fume hoods
In a lab, the diverse chemicals used determine the fume hood’s specifications. Recognising the distinct properties and risks of each chemical is crucial for safety and efficient operations.
Volatile compounds
When working with chemicals that have a propensity to evaporate swiftly, the dangers are twofold: they can pose direct health risks and also potentially contaminate other sensitive lab procedures. That’s why a fume hood designed for rapid and robust ventilation is paramount to safely and efficiently draw away these volatile compounds.
Acids/bases
Laboratories dealing with strong acids or bases face unique challenges. These potent chemicals have a knack for corroding and deteriorating equipment. It’s prudent to opt for a fume hood lined with corrosion-resistant materials. Materials like polyethylene or polypropylene stand out for their resilience against these harsh substances, ensuring both the safety of lab personnel and the longevity of the equipment.
High-temperature operations
Any procedure that involves elevated temperatures brings with it the dual concern of managing the heat itself and the increased volume of vapours it produces. In such scenarios, standard hoods might not suffice. Labs require heat-resistant hoods, specifically designed to handle these intensified conditions, ensuring that there’s no compromise on safety or the hood’s structural integrity.
Adapting fume hoods to the lab’s physical layout
The structural intricacies of a laboratory play a pivotal role in deciding the type and placement of a fume hood. Ensuring the hood complements the lab’s layout is crucial for efficiency and safety.
Ceiling height
When selecting fume hoods for your lab, consider not only its footprint but also ceiling height. For taller hoods like canopy or distillation units, ensure your ceiling can accommodate them. Always measure the height beforehand to prevent compatibility issues.
Location
Fume hood placement in a lab is crucial for safety. It’s advisable to position it away from high-traffic areas and not directly opposite doorways. Such precautions minimise airflow disruptions and potential fume leaks, maintaining a secure lab atmosphere.
Budget and long-term costs
When choosing a fume hood, consider both initial and long-term expenses. Beyond the purchase price, think about energy bills, maintenance, part replacements, and filter change costs. As lab needs change, the hood should support affordable upgrades. The real worth of a fume hood is its lasting cost-effectiveness, rather than just its initial cost.
The rise of plastic fume hoods
Recent shifts in lab equipment preferences highlight a growing fondness for plastic fume hoods, thanks to their advantages over traditional metal ones. Advances in materials have spotlighted plastics, especially polypropylene and polycarbonate, as top choices for fume hood construction, each offering distinct benefits.
Types of plastics used and their benefits
Polypropylene
- Chemical resistance: Among the foremost benefits of polypropylene is its remarkable resistance to chemicals. This plastic can withstand a variety of harsh chemicals without showing signs of wear, degradation, or corrosion. This resistance ensures that the fume hood remains structurally sound even after prolonged exposure to aggressive chemicals.
- Durability and maintenance: Apart from resisting chemical attack, polypropylene is also known for its durability, which translates to longer lifespan and reduced maintenance needs. Unlike metal hoods, which might corrode or rust over time, polypropylene retains its structural integrity, requiring fewer repairs or replacements.
Polycarbonate
- Transparency: Polycarbonate stands out because of its clear, glass-like appearance. This transparency is invaluable, especially in educational settings, as it allows students and instructors to have an unobstructed view of the ongoing experiment, enhancing the learning experience.
- Impact resistance: Despite its clarity, polycarbonate is incredibly tough. It can withstand considerable force without breaking or shattering, making it safer than glass in potential accident scenarios. This resistance is particularly beneficial in busy labs where accidental knocks or bumps might be frequent.
General benefits of plastic fume hoods
Weight
Plastic fume hoods, regardless of the specific type, are lighter than metal counterparts like steel or iron, simplifying installation and potentially reducing costs. This lightweight advantage also facilitates easier relocation within the lab, especially when compared to heavier metal options.
Flexibility
Plastic fume hoods offer flexibility not found in metal alternatives. Some plastics become pliable when heated, allowing for easy moulding or adjustment. This feature enables labs to easily customise hoods for specific needs or make future adjustments. As labs evolve, these plastic hoods can adapt smoothly, unlike more rigid metal versions.
Australian regulations and compliance
In Australia, particularly in areas like Perth and WA, adherence to laboratory safety standards is paramount. When selecting a fume hood, it’s vital to ensure compliance with Australian regulatory frameworks. The AS/NZS 2243.8 is a foundational reference, but it’s only part of the broader regulatory environment.
Here’s a more in-depth look at key standards:
- AS/NZS 2243.8: This standard provides guidelines for the design, construction, and operation of fume cupboards. It seeks to ensure that the fume hoods used in labs effectively contain and remove fumes, safeguarding the health of laboratory personnel.
- AS/NZS 2243.9—Safety in Laboratories—Recirculating Fume Cabinets: This standard specifically covers recirculating fume cabinets, which are designed to filter contaminants and recirculate the cleaned air back into the lab. Adherence ensures that these cabinets operate efficiently and safely, offering protection against hazardous fumes while maintaining good air quality.
- AS 3860—Medical Gas Systems: Although not directly related to traditional fume hoods, this standard is crucial for labs dealing with medical gases. It provides guidelines for the installation and testing of non-flammable medical gas pipeline systems, ensuring that these systems are safe, reliable, and devoid of contaminants.
When investing in a fume hood for your lab, it’s not just about functionality and budget; compliance with local and national standards is equally, if not more, important. Partnering with the right supplier can make all the difference. A trusted supplier like Johndec Engineering Plastics WA will not only ensure that the fume hood meets all regulatory requirements but will also offer guidance on installation, maintenance, and any future upgrades.
How can Johndec help?
Johndec Engineering Plastics is a name synonymous with high-quality, Australian-manufactured fume cupboards. With an emphasis on safety, precision, and compliance, Johndec ensures its products not only meet but exceed industry standards.
Australian quality and compliance
The Safetyflow Fume Cupboards by Johndec stand testament to the brand’s commitment to quality and safety. These are tailored to meet the exacting standards and recommendations for safe containment in laboratories. Notably, they comply with the Australian Standards 2243.8, reinforcing their credibility.
Material excellence
Each Safetyflow Fume Cupboard is crafted from top-tier flame-retardant grade thermoplastics. Johndec doesn’t employ a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, the material for construction is handpicked based on the specific fume cupboard application and the chemicals it is intended to handle, ensuring optimal performance and longevity.
Simplified compliance with Fe3000
Johndec’s Fe3000 fume control system is an innovation that streamlines the adherence to Australian Standards. This compact electronic module not only ensures compliance but does so in a manner that’s safe, straightforward, and cost-effective.
Extensive product range
Johndec boasts a diverse range of fume cupboards tailored to various needs:
- Single-sided and double-sided fume cupboards
- School fume cupboards designed both for applications and demonstrations, aligning with AS2243.8 and meeting the Department of Education and Training requirements
- Specialised fume cupboards for unique applications, ranging from handling radioactive materials to dealing with heavy vapours
- Walk-in, down draught, and mining fume cupboards
- Custom-built models designed to specific dimensions and requirements, and those aligning with DDA design needs (disability access).
Four decades of expertise
With over 40 years of experience, Johndec’s reputation extends beyond fume cupboards. We specialise in extraction fans, fume handling equipment, and an expansive range of custom plastic fabrication.
In a nutshell, partnering with Johndec ensures you’re investing in equipment designed to not only meet but exceed Australian standards, drawing from decades of expertise and a commitment to innovation and safety.
Conclusion
Selecting the right fume hood is essential for laboratory safety and efficiency. With the emergence of plastics like polypropylene and polycarbonate as preferred materials, labs can now benefit from enhanced durability and flexibility. Ensuring adherence to Australian standards is crucial, and partnering with established suppliers like Johndec Engineering Plastics WA ensures a blend of quality, compliance, and innovation. Ensure your lab’s safety and longevity by making informed, forward-thinking choices.