WHAT IS A FUME HOOD?
Typically consisting of a large enclosed, standing-height workspace with a sash-window front, fume hoods are a type of local ventilation device designed to protect workers from the hazardous materials they’re working with. Fume hoods achieve this feat by containing and removing fumes, gases, and particulate from the air, preventing hazardous materials from escaping containment, where they could potentially harm workers and contaminate the workplace.
There are two types of Fume Hoods: Ducted and Recirculating (or Ductless)
The way the two types of hoods operate is almost identical. A fan draws in air from the business end of the fume hood, providing the pressure needed to capture contaminated air and keep it from escaping. The big difference is what is done with the air afterwards, as Ducted Fume Hoods exhaust hazardous materials outside the building, whereas Recirculating Fume Hoods filter contaminated air, before recirculating it back into the room.
Ducted and Recirculating Fume Hoods each have their own advantages and disadvantages, allowing the proper choice for your industrial or laboratory process to be dictated by the needs of the user, the specifics of the workspace and the type of materials you’ll be handling.
Ducted Fume Hoods
Ducted fume hoods exhaust contaminants outside and should be considered when working with hazardous materials that produce high concentrations of contaminants, including chemicals that produce toxic gases or vapors, radioactive materials, and substances that may cause explosions.
The Benefits of Ducted Fume Hoods are as follows:
More effective removal of contaminants:
Ducted fume hoods exhaust the air outside through a duct system, which ensures that all contaminants are removed from the workspace. This is particularly important when working with hazardous materials that produce high concentrations of contaminants.
Safer work environment:
By removing contaminants from the workspace, ducted fume hoods help to create a safer work environment for laboratory workers and industrial technicians. This can help to reduce the risk of exposure to harmful substances and minimize the potential for accidents.
Greater flexibility:
Ducted fume hoods can handle a wider range of hazardous materials, including those that produce toxic gases, vapors, or particulate matter. This makes them a more versatile option for laboratories and industrial facilities that work with a variety of materials.
Regulatory compliance:
Ducted fume hoods are typically required for compliance with local, state, and federal regulations governing laboratory and industrial safety. By using a ducted fume hood, you can ensure that you are meeting all relevant safety standards and avoiding potential penalties or fines.
Long-term cost savings:
Although ducted fume hoods may be more expensive to install initially, they can be more cost-effective over the long term. This is because they require less maintenance than ductless fume hoods and have a longer lifespan, reducing the need for frequent replacement or repairs. Additionally, they can help to minimize the risk of workplace accidents, which can result in significant cost savings over time.
Recirculating (Ductless) Fume Hoods
Ductless fume hoods recirculate scrubbed air after passing it through filters, and thus don’t require duct systems. While less effective than their ducted counterparts at removing gases or vapors, recirculating fume foods are quite good at removing particulate matter and can be used when working with less hazardous substances or when it is not possible or practical to install a duct system.
The Benefits of Recirculating Fume Hoods are as follows:
Cost-effective:
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Ductless fume hoods are typically less expensive to install than ducted fume hoods, as they do not require ductwork. This can be beneficial for smaller laboratories or those with limited budgets.
Easy installation:
Since they do not require ductwork, ductless fume hoods are easier to install and can be moved around more easily if needed.
Greater flexibility:
Ductless fume hoods can be used in a variety of settings, including those where it is not practical or feasible to install ductwork. They are particularly useful in situations where there is limited space or where it would be difficult to run ductwork through walls or ceilings.
Energy-efficient:
Ductless fume hoods typically use less energy than ducted fume hoods, as they do not need to constantly exhaust air outside. This can help to reduce energy costs and minimize the carbon footprint of a laboratory or industrial facility.
Lower maintenance:
Ductless fume hoods require less maintenance than ducted fume hoods, as they do not have ductwork that needs to be cleaned or maintained. The filters in ductless fume hoods can be easily replaced or cleaned, making maintenance relatively simple and cost-effective.
Customizable:
Ductless fume hoods can be customized with a variety of filters to meet specific needs, such as HEPA filters for biological hazards or activated carbon filters for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This allows for greater flexibility in the types of materials that can be used in the laboratory or industrial setting.
In summary, if you’re working with hazardous materials that produce high concentrations of contaminants, a ducted fume hood may be the better option. But if you’re working with less hazardous materials or have budget or installation constraints, a ductless fume hood could be a viable alternative.
Are you looking to better protect your lab or facilities employees with the purchase of a new flow hood? Would you like to know more about the options available to you, including spill containment, upgraded lighting, airflow monitors, temperature & humidity controls, alarms, fire suppression systems and glove boxes? Or maybe you’re looking to refurbish your lab, or design a new lab all together?
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Choosing the right fume hood for your laboratory can be a challenge, and ductless fume hoods could be the solution you have been looking for. Whether you are working in an educational laboratory or an industrial location, having the right fume hood at your disposal is crucial. This piece of equipment is so important for the safety of your lab and your team, so choosing the right one is vital. In this guide, we are looking into what a ductless fume hood is and whether it is the right option for your laboratory.
Also known as a recirculating fume enclosure or a filtered fume hood, a ductless unit is self-contained and works to remove toxic molecules, particles and vapour from the air. Having a chemical fume cabinet is likely to be the most essential piece of safety equipment your workplace can have. They clean the contaminated air to deliver clean air back into the environment. Compared with other types of chemical fume hoods, the ductless solutions can be more cost-efficient, easier to install and don't require ductwork around the building. Despite all these benefits, ductless fume hoods are not suitable for every situation. There are a few factors that you need to take into account before deciding if a this type of fume cupboard is suitable for your laboratory.
Probably the most important consideration is the type of chemicals that your laboratory uses. The majority of ductless fume cupboards are only suitable for process-specific or light-duty fumes. Before you decide if this unit is right for you, compile a list of all the chemicals and the quantities of each. From this, you should be able to determine if a ductless hood would work in your lab. If your laboratory use is likely to change over time, or you do not know what type of chemicals will be used in future, then this fume extraction system might not be the best choice for you. The safety and health of your employees or operators should be your top priority, so the type of chemicals you are using will be the main deciding factor on whether a ductless fume hood is right for you.
Another critical factor to consider is the cost of a recirculating fume hood. We have already mentioned that this system can often be more cost-effective than a ducted alternative. A ducted system needs to have an expensive infrastructure around it, such as ducting, mechanical systems, exhaust fans, roof elements and more. All of these things are an additional cost to consider. A filtered hood eliminates all of these extra costs, but that does not mean they are free to run. Ductless hoods will need regular filter replacements, which is an expenditure that needs to be taken into account.
Modern labs are embracing modular setups and flexible furniture. A recirculating hood fits perfectly with this because it provides you with the ability to move it around to anywhere in the lab. With a plug and play setup, you can use a ductless fume hood in various locations as and when you need it. This can give your operators the opportunity to work to their full capacity without being constrained by the design of your lab.
A ducted unit is permanently fixed in place and offers no flexibility at all. These tend to be installed in older buildings or ones with limited access. However, with a ductless fume hood, you can even take the unit with you if you ever move to a new laboratory or location.
Filtered hoods require ongoing operation and maintenance. This means that users need to know how to operate the fume cupboard safely and understand how to maintain the filtration system. Unlike with a ducted cabinet, ductless cupboards require regular DOP testing and filter replacements. You will need to ensure that someone in your laboratory can take full ownership of the maintenance and handling of the filter replacements, including ordering new ones and changing them as required.
There are advantages and disadvantages of both ductless and ducted fume cupboards, and it is essential to understand both before deciding which is right for your laboratory. The usage of different chemicals, upfront and ongoing costs, and availability of staff are all important factors to consider when choosing the right unit for you.
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