Fume hoods are necessary pieces of equipment for protecting laboratory workers, researchers, and industrial staff from dangerous chemicals, fumes, and airborne pollutants. There are several varieties of fume hoods available, each intended to satisfy certain demands and purposes.
General-Purpose Fume Hood:
- These are the most typical fume hoods and may be used for a variety of laboratory activities such as chemical reactions, solvent handling, and sample preparation.
- They offer a containment chamber with an adjustable sash (vertical or horizontal) to control airflow and protect the user from fumes.
Chemical Fume Hood:
- Specifically designed for handling and storing chemical vapours, acids, and other caustic compounds.
- Typically built of corrosion-resistant materials such as PVC or polypropylene, with specialised coatings for further protection.
Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC):
- To create a sterile environment for handling biological materials, including infectious agents, in microbiology, healthcare, and life sciences laboratories.
- Biosafety cabinets are categorised into three classes according on their amount of containment and protection (Class I, Class II, and Class III).
Ductless Fume Hood:
- Filtered fume hoods are sometimes known as recirculating fume hoods.
- These hoods do not require external ducting and rely on filtration systems to filter and recycle air, making them energy-efficient and suited for labs that do not have access to ventilation systems.
Walk-In Fume Hood:
- Large fume hoods that can handle heavy equipment and procedures or allow numerous individuals to operate inside at the same time.
- In industrial and manufacturing environments, this term is frequently used.
Customized Fume Hood:
- Designed to meet the needs of specialised applications and laboratories.
- To satisfy specific requirements, custom hoods can be constructed with specialised materials, airflow controls, and combinations.
