Laboratory Fume Hoods

Laboratory fume hoods are used to prevent harmful exposure to hazardous substances, and therefore such hoods must conform to all applicable provisions of state and federal regulations, and other applicable provisions in the UCI Fume Hood Testing Program. Biological Safety Cabinets are not covered by this program.

Every year, laboratory fume hoods are surveyed and assessed for their compliance with the requirements of the applicable regulatory standards. Certification decals are affixed to the fume hoods to indicate their performance. The information on the decal includes:

• The sash working height – to indicate where the bottom of the sash must be placed to achieve the optimal face velocity.
• The Qualitative Smoke Test results.
• The measured face velocity (in feet per minute) – this number must be at 100 or above. There are exceptions for low-flow, high-efficiency fume hoods located in Engineering which can be operated at face velocities between 80–100 feet per minute. Face velocity measurements below 100 (or in the case of the low-flow hoods, 80) are marked as “Fail”. Failed fume hoods must not be used until the face velocity is adjusted to meet the regulatory requirements.
• The name of the fume hood inspector.
• The inspection date.
• And the re-inspection due date.

Reporting Fume Hood Problems

• Report the following problems to Facilities Management at fm.uci.edu or 949-824-5444.
  • Broken or inoperable sash
  • Fume hoods in alarm
  • Fume hood air flow issues
  • Inoperable lights
  • Gas/vacuum lines issues
  • Missing fume hood components (ex. sash stops)
• Report the following problems to EHS at safety@uci.edu.
  • Fume hoods that are past their re-inspection date
  • Fume hoods without certification decals