Laboratory Ventilation Management Program (LVMP)

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Introduction
Laboratory ventilation hoods on the SIU, Carbondale campus have been surveyed regularly by Center for Environmental Health and Safety (CEHS) since 1993 and continue to be monitored as a priority for environmental health and safety compliance at SIU, Carbondale. Since the beginning of this program, substantial improvements have been made in hood performance. These improvements may be attributed to several factors including: improved survey techniques, increased attention to maintenance, education of lab personnel in the proper use of ventilation hoods, and upgrading and replacement of ventilation equipment.

A total of 227 ventilation hoods were surveyed in 1997, with only 17 of these hoods failing to meet ANSI compliance standards. This amounts to a 93% acceptable performance rate. This can be compared to a 29% rate of acceptable performance for 167 hoods surveyed in the first year survey data was recorded.

Objectives
The objectives of the LVMP are to maximize the effectiveness of laboratory chemical exposure control systems, by ensuring proper selection, design, operation, maintenance, and use of laboratory ventilation equipment, such that the health and safety of laboratory personnel are safeguarded under the provisions of OSHA Standard 29 CFR Part 1910.1450 and the recommendations of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 1992, American National Standard for Laboratory Ventilation Z9.5.

Laboratory Ventilation Hoods
The "fume hood" is the primary laboratory ventilation control system for protecting laboratory personnel from exposure to hazardous chemicals. The hood itself is one component of the system which consists of a working chamber, an exhaust system, proper hood location, make-up air to the hood, a hood monitoring system, hood operating parameters, routine performance surveys, and system maintenance.

Ventilation Hood Air Flow
Air flow patterns are affected by many factors, including traffic patterns, room make-up air, doorways, room size, hood location, work practices, objects inside the hood, baffle adjustment, and sash opening. These are considerations for design, installation and use of ventilation hoods. Ideally, the air should flow into the lab from doors and hallways and exit the room through the ventilation hood. There should not be any turbulence at the hood face which could spill contaminated air into the room. All areas of the open hood face should have a velocity sufficient to draw room air and not spill contaminated air from the hood.

Performance Guidelines
Standards of performance for ventilation hoods are set forth by ANSI/AIHA Z9.5 and OSHA 29 CFR 1910.145 (e) (3) (iii). The average face velocity of optimally performing hoods should be between 80 and 120 feet per minute (FPM). These average face velocities and the date of survey will appear on the inspection sticker located on the front of the ventilation hood. Ratings are also stated according to the hood performance as follows:

Ave. face velocity 80-120 fpm with no single measurement deviating >20% from the average (class A)
Ave. face velocity 80-120 fpm with up to 4 measurements deviating >20% from the average (class B)
Ave. face velocity 70-79 or 121-130 with up to 2 measurements deviating >20% from average (class B)
Ave. 18" face velocity 80-120 with up to 2 measurements deviating >20% from the average (class C)

External Links to Ventilation Hood Websites
» Flow Sciences (sell specialized hoods)
» University of Georgia, Chemical Fume Hood Standard Operating Procedures
» University of Louisville Fume Hood Guide
» University of Kentucky Fume Hood Guidelines
» University of Wisconsin at Madison, Fume Hoods: What to Expect
» Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Laboratory Fume Hoods
» Michigan State University, Fume Hood Safety
» Oklahoma State University, Laboratory Ventilation Hoods
» Wayne State University, Using a Chemical Fume Hood
» University of Wisconsin, What to Expect from a Laboratory Fume Hood and How to Get It
» The University of Texas at El Paso, Laboratory Safety: Chemical Fume Hoods