Fume Hoods for Safe and Efficient Laboratory Work

Chemwest’s Chemical Fume Hood Solutions

A Fume Hood is a ventilated standing workstation, typically five-sided, characterized by measured and monitored airflow. Fume Hoods offer improved efficiency and safety by removing potentially hazardous chemicals, vapors, and dust from the exposure of operators and work compartments. Chemwest offers a range of standard Fume Hood designs, and our engineers can also collaborate with you to create a customized design tailored to your specific needs. Fume Hoods can be made from a variety of materials.

Polypropylene and Polyvinyl Chloride materials are commonly used for their chemical resistance and flame retardancy (FM4910 fire-rated material). Chemwest can manufacture your application using a variety of Plastics or Stainless Steel. Whether working with volatile chemicals, conducting research, or handling sensitive materials, Chemwest fume hoods are engineered to meet your specific application requirements, providing protection and optimal performance.

Why Choose Chemwest Chemical Fume Hoods?

• Enhanced Safety and Efficiency: Chemical fume hoods remove hazardous vapors and dust from the air, providing a safer work environment by protecting operators from harmful exposure.

• Customizable Designs: With various base designs and materials, Chemwest engineers can collaborate with you to develop a fume hood solution tailored to your unique operational needs.

• Durability and Versatility: Our fume hoods are available in a range of materials, including Polypropylene and Polyvinyl Chloride (both known for their chemical resistance and FM4910 fire-rated material), Stainless Steel, and other plastics, ensuring long-term reliability and performance in various laboratory environments.

Types of Chemical Fume Hoods

Chemwest offers two basic types of fume hoods designed to meet specific ventilation requirements.

1. Recirculating (Ductless) Fume Hoods: Air is drawn from the front of the cabinet and expelled either outside or within the room or building through an integrated filtration system. These hoods are ideal for applications where external venting is not possible. The air is cleaned through built-in filters before recirculating back into the room.

 

2. Ducted Fume Hoods: Air is drawn from the front of the cabinet and vented outside the building via the in-house air or vacuum system. The air is filtered through scrubbers before being exhausted outside, ensuring that harmful contaminants do not enter the environment.

We commonly engineer fume hoods to achieve a face velocity of 100 fpm, which is consistent with SEMI standards and OSHA safety requirements, ensuring optimal airflow and containment. Our hoods can also be customized to meet your face velocity or airflow needs.

Chemical Fume Hood Sash Options

The sash is an essential feature of any fume hood, allowing for easy access to the work area while maintaining airflow safety. Chemwest offers a variety of sash designs to suit different applications:

• Vertical Counterbalance System Sash: A cable and pulley system operates the most commonly used sash design. This sash can be easily opened from any point along its width, providing easy access while maintaining airflow efficiency.

• Horizontal Sliding Sash: Ideal for situations involving multiple workstations, this sash allows one area to remain open while others are closed, providing flexibility and convenience. The sliding sash minimizes airflow disruption and exposure in unused workstations.

The sash is typically made from transparent PVC for visibility, or FM4910-rated Takiron if fire retardancy is a requirement.

Sizes and Customization

Chemwest fume hoods are available in a wide range of sizes to accommodate one to three operators:

• Widths: 40”, 48”, 60”, 72”, 78”
• Depths: 28” – 36”
• Height: 75” – 106”

These are typical dimensions, but we can easily customize the design to meet your specific laboratory space and operational needs.

• Air flow measurement, monitoring
  • Magnahelic (non-electrical, measured by air pressure)
  • Photohelic (electrical signal)
• Control/Alarm Panel, Electrical, Pneumatic Controls
• On-board air circulation, filtration
• Lighting

How Chemical Fume Hoods Work

• Capture Hazardous Materials: A powerful ventilation system draws harmful chemicals, vapors, or dust into the fume hood.

• Air Filtration and Exhaust: Depending on whether you have a recirculating (ductless) or ducted system, the captured air is filtered or vented outside the building.

• Continuous Monitoring: Integrated sensors and monitoring systems ensure that airflow remains within safe parameters, triggering alarms if airflow decreases below safe levels.

Built for Your Lab’s Needs

At Chemwest, we pride ourselves on our ability to engineer custom solutions. Whether you require standard or specialized features, we can tailor our fume hoods to match your laboratory’s requirements. Our engineers will collaborate with you to create a fume hood that ensures safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

Get Started with Chemwest Chemical Fume Hoods

Investing in the right fume hood is essential for maintaining a safe and efficient lab environment. Chemwest is committed to providing reliable and customizable fume hood solutions that protect your team and work. Contact us today to learn more about our fume hoods, request a quote, or schedule a consultation with one of our product specialists.