How do we use fume – hood properly?

Perform all work involving hazardous or volatile materials in a fume hood.

Check that the fume-hood is operating correctly before you start work. To check the air flow a strip of paper, tissue, or ribbon can be taped to fume-hood sash.

Avoid cross drafts and disruptive air currents in front of the fume hood. Ensure that windows and doors near the fume-hoods are CLOSED.

Always keep work at least 15cm in from the opening of the fume hood.

Use the sash as a safety shield when boiling materials or conducting an experiment with reactive chemicals.

Always keep sash as low as possible. As the sash is lifted, flow is increased so that the face velocity of air over a given cross section of the sash opening is constant. In summer especially, this will mean that more hot make up air is drawn into the lab.

When the fume hood is not in use, ensure that all materials are in sealed containers

Prepare a plan of action in case of an emergency, such as a power failure, especially when using extremely hazardous chemicals or acids.