Do Fume Hoods Need Annual Certification?
Lab equipment certification is vital to ensure that your facility and staff are safe and protected. It also helps to underscore your laboratory’s good reputation in your field and supports research findings when equipment is properly maintained and cared for. That said, certification requirements vary by facility, application, governing standards, manufacturer recommendations, and institutional policies. Let’s discover whether or not annual certification is necessary for fume hoods.
What Is Fume Hood Certification?
Fume hoods are designed to capture and exhaust hazardous airborne contaminants away from personnel and laboratory spaces. Because containment performance can change over time, fume hoods should be evaluated periodically to verify that they're operating as intended.
The appropriate frequency for fume hood certification can depend on various factors, including:
- Applicable standards and regulations
- Facility safety policies
- Type of laboratory
- Chemicals and processes being performed
- Manufacturer recommendations
- Previous test results
- Changes to the hood or ventilation system
More often than not, annual certification is a good measure to go by to ensure proper fume hood operation and safety. However, this cannot be your only measure of fume hood safety. Along with yearly official checks, routine user checks and maintenance are also vital.
Professional fume hood testing involves evaluating whether the hood and associated ventilation conditions meet the applicable performance criteria or facility requirements for your specific lab equipment. Key metrics measured can include face velocity, airflow uniformity, sash position, indicators and alarms, hood condition, exhaust performance, and more.
At DigeLab Solutions, we aim to ensure that our clients are operating safe equipment. Regular fume hood certification gives us the opportunity to pinpoint issues and identify potential future problems. The timeframe will vary depending on the fume hood’s use, but annual inspections are a general rule of thumb. And anytime there is a change to your ventilation device, a comprehensive inspection and certification will also be in order. Regular checks are necessary because even though a fume hood can appear to be working well, it could be that airflow and/or containment have changed. Periodic testing gives you objective, detailed information about hood performance rather than relying on whether airflow can simply be heard or felt.
Apart from the practical reasons why fume hood certification is useful and helpful, it is also often required by various governing bodies. For instance, OSHA, ANSI/AIHA Z9.5, ASHRAE 110, and NFPA guidelines and regulatory standards may dictate the ideal regularity of inspections and certifications for fume hoods and other lab equipment. While annual checks are the standard, more frequent certification may be needed if fume hoods are handling highly hazardous or risky materials. And as always, testing and certification are required following a new installation, relocation, maintenance, or fume hood repair.
Key Checks Between Lab Equipment Certification
Apart from annual certification, fume hoods also require daily and weekly checks and routine maintenance. These are some items to include on a simple, routine checklist:
- Confirm airflow indicator function
- Watch for alarms
- Properly position the sash
- Avoid blocking baffles
- Avoid clutter in the fume hood
- Report unusual noise or airflow
- Report damaged sashes or components
These checks do not replace professional performance testing. But if lab equipment users are following facility-specific operating procedures and implementing regular checks, then annual visits from professional certifiers like the team at DigeLab may be all that’s necessary to ensure proper function and safety. Of course, if any warning signs like alarms, abnormal readings, obvious lack of vapor or smoke containment, unusual sounds or smells, or physical damage occur, it is best practice to bring in certification specialists to ensure safe operation. Any concern regarding hazardous contaminants that aren't being adequately controlled requires immediate implementation of the laboratory's safety procedures and may demand that the fume hood be temporarily out of order until certifiers can do an official inspection.
Lab Equipment Certification in New York and New Jersey
Annual fume hood testing and certification is a common component of laboratory safety programs. That said, the exact testing requirements and frequency for your specific needs can depend on the facility, application, applicable standards, and policies you operate under. Regardless of timing, you can rest assured that the professional team at DigeLab Solutions is up for the task, with a full suite of fume hood and other lab equipment certification services. Fume hood safety is an ongoing process, and in addition to annual certification, users should be performing regular checks with each use. Taken together, you can ensure proper and safe function all year long.
Whether you are in need of biosafety cabinet certification, fume hood repair, or other work on your lab equipment, DigeLab Solutions can help with convenient and fast appointments that work around your tight schedule. Contact us to learn more about our services and to schedule your annual maintenance and lab equipment certification.