If you’ve ever tried to compare fume cupboards across different suppliers, you’ll know it’s not always straightforward. How can you tell if one is better than another? What kind of performance should you expect – or demand – in your type of lab? The latest update to the British Standard for fume cupboards, BS EN 14175, is about to make that a whole lot easier.

What’s new?

The British Standards Institute has updated the UK National Annex to BS EN 14175, the go-to standard for fume cupboard design and testing. While the annex has always included extra guidance, for example ductwork recommendations and the kind of information that should be exchanged during specification and procurement, the latest update introduces something that will really help buyers, users and specifiers alike…

Typical Containment Settings (A, B, and C)

These are now included as example values for both Type Tests (BS EN 14175-3) and On Site Tests (BS EN 14175-4). It’s a simple framework that gives a clear indication of what level of containment a particular fume cupboard can achieve, and what kind of setting it’s best suited for.

Setting A – High containment
Ideal for high-hazard environments like research or industrial labs.

Setting B – Medium containment
Suitable for general-purpose or commercial lab use.

Setting C – Lower containment
Appropriate for low-hazard environments such as school science labs, or work with small quantities and diluted substances.

Importantly, each cupboard is assessed on three tests – inner plane, outer plane, and robustness (more on the tests here). The worst result of the three determines the final setting. That means you’re getting a true picture of performance under real-world conditions.

What else is covered?

These typical settings go beyond simply airflow capture. They also offer guidance on:

• Minimum air changes per hour
• VAV response times
  This gives a more complete picture of how the cupboard performs in a real lab environment and helps you make a more informed choice.

Of course, the Typical Settings are only a guide, and they don’t replace a full risk assessment. But they are a powerful tool for anyone involved in the specification or use of fume cupboards, from science technicians to estates teams to architects and consultants.

What does this mean for you?

If you’re investing in new fume cupboards, this update is a game-changer. You can now have more transparent, meaningful conversations with suppliers about performance and make sure your purchase is fit for purpose.

At Clean Air, we’re fully in support of this initiative. In fact, Our Optimax, Apex and Radius Profile ranges can achieve this at just 0.3m/s. That’s high containment with impressively low energy demand. But while lower face velocities perform well in controlled test conditions, they can be more susceptible to poor containment on site if not properly assessed and installed. That’s why expert input matters – and luckily, that’s exactly what we do. From design to installation and commissioning, we’re here to make sure performance in your lab lives up to the numbers on paper.

If you’d like to learn more about the updated standard, you can buy the latest version from BSI or speak to one of our containment experts.

Want help choosing the right fume cupboard for your lab?

Get in touch and ask us about which of our models is best suited to optimise your lab’s safety and efficiency.

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