Fume Hood Certification: Everything You Need to Know

Fume hood certification is the process of testing and verifying that a laboratory fume hood is functioning properly and safely containing hazardous fumes and vapors. Fume hoods are critical safety devices in laboratories that work with dangerous chemicals, so ensuring they are operating effectively is essential for protecting lab personnel from exposure.

Fume hood certification typically involves a thorough inspection and performance testing by a qualified certifier. The certification process checks that the hood maintains proper airflow velocities, contains fumes using smoke or tracer gas tests, and has functional safety features like airflow alarms. Certification also involves checking for issues like leaks, damage, or blockages that could compromise hood performance.

If you need your fume hood certified, send us an email at admin@bscbulbs.com to schedule an appointment.

Regular fume hood certification is important because:

It's required by OSHA and other lab safety regulations in most cases
Fume hoods can deteriorate over time and regular checks ensure safe operation
Improper function can allow dangerous fumes to escape and expose personnel
Certification identifies maintenance issues before they become major problems
It helps avoid costly lab shutdowns due to safety violations or accidents

In summary, fume hood certification is a critical process for verifying that these essential safety devices are working properly to contain hazardous materials and protect laboratory personnel from potentially harmful exposures. Failing to regularly certify fume hoods puts worker health and safety at risk.

How Often Should Fume Hoods Be Certified?

The frequency of required fume hood certification depends on the regulations that apply to a given laboratory. However, the major applicable standards from OSHA, ANSI/AIHA, NFPA, and SEFA generally agree that fume hoods should be certified at least annually.Specifically, the standards and regulations state:

OSHA 1910.1450: "Quality and quantity of ventilation should be evaluated on installation, regularly monitored (at least every 3 months), and reevaluated whenever a change in local ventilation devices is made."
ANSI/AIHA Z9.5: "A routine performance test shall be conducted on every fume hood at least annually or whenever a significant change has been made to the operational characteristics of the system."
NFPA 45: "When installed or modified and at least annually thereafter, laboratory hoods, laboratory hood exhaust systems, and laboratory special exhaust systems shall be inspected and tested."
SEFA 1.2: Fume hoods should be tested "on an annual basis."

So in general, fume hoods should be fully certified at least once per year. Some regulations like OSHA also call for additional monitoring on a more frequent basis, such as every 3 months.

Additionally, fume hoods should also always be re-certified any time they are modified, relocated, or when changes are made to the lab's ventilation system. New fume hoods should be certified before initial use as well.

Many laboratories choose to have their fume hoods certified more often than annually as a best practice and to ensure consistent safety. Some also perform abbreviated monthly or quarterly checks in between full annual certifications.

What Does Fume Hood Certification Testing Involve?

Fume hood certification involves a series of thorough inspections and performance tests to check that the hood is functioning safely and effectively. The certification process is usually based on the ANSI/ASHRAE 110 standard for fume hood testing.The key components of an ASHRAE 110 fume hood certification include:

Visual Inspection: The certifier first performs a visual inspection of the hood to check for issues like damage, blockages, missing components, etc. They also verify it has required features like a flow monitor and sash stops.
Face Velocity Testing: The certifier uses an anemometer to precisely measure the hood's face velocity at multiple points and check that the average meets the required specification, typically 80-120 fpm.
Smoke Visualization: Smoke testing provides visual confirmation that the hood is properly capturing and containing fumes. Smoke is released inside the hood and the certifier observes how well it is drawn in and exhausted.
Tracer Gas Containment: The most stringent containment test, tracer gas involves releasing a gas like sulfur hexafluoride in the hood and precisely measuring how much escapes into the user's breathing zone using a mannequin.
Airflow Visualization: The certifier uses smoke or streamers to visualize airflow patterns around the hood opening and check for turbulence or dead spots that could allow fumes to escape.
Safety Device Checks: Features like airflow alarms, sash stops, and automatic sash closers are tested to confirm they are working properly.
Exhaust System Evaluation: The hood's ductwork, exhaust fan, and stack are evaluated to check for issues like leaks, corrosion, or inadequate height that could impact performance.

If the fume hood passes all the certification tests, the certifier applies a sticker to the hood indicating when it was last certified and when the certification expires. Any issues found are reported to the lab to be addressed. Failed hoods must be repaired and re-tested before being returned to service.

How to Get Your Fume Hood Certified

The process for getting a fume hood certified is fairly straightforward but must be performed by a qualified testing company. Many scientific equipment vendors and lab safety companies offer fume hood certification services.To get your fume hood certified, you'll need to:

Find a Qualified Certifier - Look for a company with experience certifying fume hoods and whose certifiers have proper training and credentials. Ideally, look for a company accredited by NEBB or I2SL.
Schedule the Certification - Contact the certification company to schedule service. For a lower cost, try to schedule your certification at the same time as other nearby labs.
Prepare for Testing - Prior to the certification, clean out the fume hood and remove any equipment or chemicals. Make sure the area around the hood is clear for the certifier to work.
Review the Certification Report - After testing, the certifier will provide a detailed report of the fume hood's performance. Carefully review the results and take any corrective actions needed for hoods that failed.
Keep Records - File the certification report with your lab's other safety records. Note when the certification expires and be sure to schedule the next annual certification before it does.

By working with a qualified certification company and following these steps, you can ensure your fume hoods are tested properly and operating safely.

Conclusion

Fume hood certification is an essential process for ensuring these critical lab safety devices are working effectively to contain dangerous fumes and vapors. Certification involves a thorough inspection and testing process that should be performed annually to meet regulations and safety best practices.

By regularly having fume hoods certified and taking prompt corrective action to address any issues found, laboratories can ensure a safe working environment and avoid the severe consequences of a hood failure or accident. Failing to properly maintain fume hoods puts workers at risk and can result in hefty fines and liability for the lab.

While fume hood certification requires an investment of time and money, it is an essential part of any lab safety program. The peace of mind that comes from knowing your hoods will perform properly when needed to protect workers is well worth the cost. So don't neglect this critical safety process - make fume hood certification a key part of your lab's annual maintenance routine.