Draft Details

1.1 Applicability of standard to laboratory fume hoods

This Standard applies to all types of laboratory fume hoods, including ductless fume hoods.

The following clauses are not relevant to ductless fume hoods: 4.6, 4.5.4, 5.4.3, 5.4.4, 5.4.6.1, 7.2, and 10.3.2.4 m) to q).

Note: Ductless fume hoods should not be considered acceptable substitutes for ducted fume hoods. They may be suitable alternatives provided there is an application-specific review (i.e., risk assessment) and written approval by the manufacturer. Some jurisdictions prohibit the use of ductless fume hoods with certain chemicals.

1.2 Standard specifications

This Standard specifies

a) safety requirements for fume hoods, their users, and service personnel;

b) requirements for fume hoods, including the supply and exhaust system, design and construction;

c) requirements for fume hood placement;

d) test methods for assessing fume hood performance;

e) requirements for the selection, use, and maintenance of fume hoods;

f) requirements for the education and training of fume hood users and maintenance personnel;

g) requirements regarding information to be exchanged between suppliers and users of fume hoods to ensure that installation, function, and maintenance are compatible with the intended use; and

h) requirements for commissioning.

Notes:

1) Users of this Standard should note that fume hood requirements are also established by authorities having jurisdiction.

2) Other fume hood requirements can be found in, e.g., the National Building Code of Canada, the National Fire Code of Canada, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, and REGDOC-2.5.6 Design of Rooms Where Unsealed Nuclear Substances Are Used.

1.3 Standard exclusions

This Standard does not address detailed design considerations, such as hood design, fan selection, and duct/stack velocities.

This Standard does not apply to biological safety cabinets.

Notes:

1) Requirements applicable to the installation and field testing of biological safety cabinets are found in NSF/ANSI 49.

2) This Standard is not intended to be used by manufacturers for the certification of their fume hoods.

1.4 Terminology

In this Standard, “shall” is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the Standard; “should” is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and “may” is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard.

Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.

Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.

Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.

1.5 Units of measurement

The values given in SI units are the units of record for the purposes of this Standard. The values given in parentheses are for information and comparison only.