Laboratory fume control and laboratory ventilation is extremely important for the laboratories, as it eliminates the hazards of inhaling toxic and irritating fumes. Laboratory fume control products (also called laboratory fume hoods or fume cupboards) are the laboratory ventilation products that keep the toxic vapor out of the laboratory working area. You can also use lab fume hoods to shield yourselves from possible hazards of an explosive reaction.

Lab fume hoods come in two types: ducted fume hoods and ductless or recirculating fume hoods. Some industries that use lab fume hoods include pharmaceuticals, chemicals and biotechnology.

Some important parameters you must consider before buying a laboratory fume cupboard are:

1. The hood face velocity of the fume cupboard
2. The required air flow of the fume hood
3. The type of the laboratory fume cupboard
4. The height of the fume hood
5. The width of the fume hood

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy ductless lab fume hoods from reputable suppliers

Once you identify your needs, check out ductless fume collectors offered by reputable manufacturers.

I recommend: Terra Universal is one of the leading manufacturers of ductless lab fume hoods and workstations. Another leading manufacturer of ductless laboratory fume control products is Sentry Air Systems that provides ductless fume hoods of various sizes. In addition, you can also buy ductless lab fume collectors from Liberty Industries, another major manufacturer of lab fume hoods.

Buy ducted lab fume hoods from reputable suppliers

If ductless fume hoods do not meet your application needs, you can choose ducted lab fume hoods offered by reputable suppliers.

I recommend: Laboratory Control Systems is a reputable supplier of ducted lab fume hoods. You can buy fume hoods from Strobic Air Corporation, a leading manufacturer of ducted lab ventilation products. Blair Company also provides a wide range of ducted lab ventilation equipment. If you want to buy high face velocity ducted lab fume hoods, you can check out the product line of Thermo Fisher Scientific, a leading manufacturer of laboratory fume control products. In addition, you can check out a wide variety of lab fume removal equipment from different manufacturers at Norstone, a reputable distributor of ducted lab fume hoods.

Buy parts and accessories for your laboratory chemical fume hoods

For efficient operation of your fume hoods, check out parts and accessories for your lab fume hoods at various suppliers' websites.

I recommend: Novaflex Industries provides a variety of parts and accessories including ducts for lab fume hoods. In addition, you can buy extraction arms for your lab fume collectors from AER Control Systems, a reputable supplier of fume hood parts and accessories.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Always buy standard parts and accessories to ensure smooth running of your laboratory fume control processes.
• •  Change the filters of your lab fume hoods regularly.