Selecting a Fume Hood on Amazon.com

A fume hood, also called a fume cupboard or chemical fume hood, is a local ventilation device designed to limit operator exposure to hazardous vapors, mists, fumes, and particulates by containing and exhausting them. Designed to be connected to an exhaust system that draws the air from the room, fume hoods are commonly used in laboratories where hazardous chemicals are released during testing, research, or teaching, as well as in industrial applications.

A fume hood is a large, five-sided, box-like structure with an open side (or sides) that allows laboratory personnel access to the hood's interior, which is often positioned over the work area. The hood has a sash, a transparent movable panel, for allowing the user to restrict or enlarge the hood opening by moving it up or down. Most hoods are fitted with a control panel that can warn of low airflow or too large of an opening at the front of the unit, or provide a mechanism for turning its exhaust fan on or off. The hood may have internal lights with vapor-proof covers to provide illumination. There are two primary types of hoods – ductless and ducted. A ductless fume hood has a filter to clean the air before recirculating it into the room; a ducted hood relies on a fan system that drives the air outside of the building through ductwork.

A laboratory fume hood may be made of plastic, such as polypropylene, or constructed of powder-coated steel for chemical resistance. They are generally available in five widths: 1,000mm, 1,200mm, 1,500mm, 1,800mm, and 2,000mm. The hood may vary in depth from 700 to 900mm, and in height from 1,900 to 2,700mm. Typically accommodating from one to three operators, the hood is usually placed against a wall for use, either on a bench top or the lab floor. Educational versions of the hood may have transparent sides allowing several students at once to observe experiments.

Fume hoods are used to limit exposure to hazardous vapors, mists, fumes, and particulates in medical, industrial, and research laboratories, as well as academic settings.