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For any laboratory, safety measurements are must, and if it involves toxic gases then you need to be extra cautious. Benchtop hoods or benchtop fume hoods are necessary if your laboratory involves working with toxic fumes and gases. The fume hoods are ideal to contain any type of toxic gases inside them and keep the workers and laboratory safety. Benchtop hoods are fume hoods attached to a worktable. These work tables with an enclosed countertop where you can conduct experiments. These chambers are specially designed to contain any type of harmful and hazardous gas or dust or vapor that may originate from the experiment. These chambers are properly enclosed and are leak-proof- so there is no chance of accidental leakage. Additionally, there is an advanced HEPA or ULPA filter that constantly filters the air inside the benchtop hood to keep it secure.

 Types of benchtop hood

 There are mainly two types of benchtop fume hoods-

 Ducted fume hood-  These are fume hoods with ducts at their back. These are conventional benchtop hoods and ar3e bulky in size. These hoods have exhaust ducts to filter the air. If you have to use it, then make sure to place this hood near a window covered with infills.

 Ductless benchtop hoods-  these are the advanced version. The ductless hoods do not have any exhaust duct and use advanced technology to filter the air. These are compact and take less space.

According to the airflow, fume hoods can be classified as two different types-

Standard flow fume hoods-  These are advanced benchtop hoods.  They are designed to work at a rate or 100 linear feet per minute with 18 inches sash height. Some models can work at the same efficiency with a higher sash height; often more than 25 feet.

 Low flow fume hoods-  The low flow benchtop hoods work at the rate of 70 linear feet in a minute with 18 inches sash height.

 How does a fume hood function?

 Well, in general, a fume hood is used to protect the operators from any type of gas outbreak. In many situations, hazardous dust or vapors of materials are originated during conducting experiments, Directly inhaling these things can cause serious problems. The toxic things may also cause accidents inside the laboratory. The fume hoods provide a safe place to conduct the experiments and also keeps the laboratory atmosphere safe. During experimentation, the fume hood constantly filters the air through its advanced air filters and keeps the atmosphere under control.

Strategically a benchtop hood must be placed against the wall in a good and clean place. This is because this hood needs constant airflow to protect the atmosphere. Additionally, the fume hoods also have features like containing accidental spillage, etc. Some models can also adjust the airflow through the airflow monitor and airflow meter.

 How to maintain a benchtop hood?

 Well, if you want a fume hood to work properly, then you need to maintain it. Here are some tips for this-

1. The main tips are to operate the machine as per the manual, So, if you are buying a benchtop hood then you can ask for a free demonstration so that you can understand its operations and manual. If a benchtop is not operated in the right way, it may not be effective in the right way.

2. Try to store it near a place with enough air circulation. If you need to keep things near the hood, make sure to store things at least half feet away for safety. But avoid storing the fume hood near an air diffuser or window or a ventilator. This is because the airflow from these places can affect the performance of the benchtop hood.

3. Always check the machine before conducting any experiments. If you are working with radioactive materials then be extra cautious and control the airflow properly.

4. In case of a power cut, it is better to disconnect the hood and open the enclosed antechamber or the hood to prevent any type of problem.

5. Always try to check the airflow and air conditions. Do this regularly and before installation.

6. Any benchtop hood comes with an alarm that notifies the operator in case the airflow drops to 80% of the desired level. So, always check the airflow. Only start the machine if the machine airflow level is under the sash arrow level. If the alarm still makes a sound then it is better to call an expert to check the machine.

A benchtop fume hood is essential in case your laboratory deals with dangerous chemicals.  For a good benchtop hood at a reasonable price, contact  Globallabsupply.com . It is a well-known chain of lab equipment suppliers. You can find numerous models of benchtop hoods on their website. 

By admin

Writing and blogging is my passion. Providing meaningful information to readers is my object.