School Laboratory Fume Hood

A fume hood or fume cupboard is a local ventilation device that is designed to reduce the exposure of students and staff members to toxic fumes, hazardous vapors, and particulate irritants such as dust. A fume hood is typically a large enclosure device that encloses the work area on five sides, the bottom of which is recommended to be at normal working height.

“Education is the most powerful weapon to change the world” – APJ Abdul Kalam.

We hold the responsibility and power to foster the scientists of tomorrow, and it is of the utmost importance to train them right and prioritize their safety. The necessity for fume hoods as part of any world-class chemistry lab is double-fold.

Firstly, the highest goal of a school chemistry lab is to teach students good lab practices along with the experiments themselves. And it is very important to train the students to use fume hoods for toxic reactions. This will help them understand the importance of safety and also help them transition well into the workplace environment.
Furthermore, to raise the scientists of tomorrow, student safety must be of the utmost priority in any school science laboratory. Lab fume hoods are of prime importance to student safety as they ensure that all reactions that could potentially produce toxic fumes are dealt with safely.

Our recommendations for fume hoods are as follows:

1. A sink and gooseneck tap are to be provided.
2. Proper lighting arrangements are to be given inside.
3. An interior PP or FRP lining is to be provided to provide chemical and heat resistance.
4. A dedicated exhaust system with ducting must be provided to isolate the fumes generated inside the fume hood.
5. The transfer, heating, or reaction of the following commonly handled substances in the school chemistry lab must only be done inside a fume hood:
1. Sulfuric acid
2. Ammonia solution
3. Hydrochloric acid
4. Hydrogen sulfide
5. Nitric acid
6. Kipp’s apparatus