Fume Cupboard Testing

Fume cupboard testing evaluates the performance and safety of fume cupboards, specialised enclosures used in laboratories to control and contain hazardous fumes, vapours, and gases. The testing is conducted to ensure that the fume cupboards meet the required standards and regulations for the effective containment and removal of hazardous substances.
It involves various tests and measurements to assess airflow, containment efficiency, gas escape, and robustness under different operating conditions. Fume cupboard testing is essential to verify the reliability and effectiveness of the equipment in protecting laboratory personnel and maintaining a safe working environment.

Fume cupboard testing is essential for several reasons;
Personnel Safety: Fume cupboards are designed to protect laboratory personnel from exposure to hazardous fumes, vapours, and gases. Testing ensures that the fume cupboards function correctly and can effectively contain and remove these hazardous substances, reducing the risk of exposure and potential health hazards.
Compliance with Standards: Fume cupboard testing ensures compliance with relevant standards and regulations, such as BS EN 14175. Meeting these standards is crucial for maintaining a safe working environment and demonstrating regulatory compliance.
Equipment Performance: Testing helps assess the performance of fume cupboards, including factors such as airflow, containment efficiency, and robustness. It ensures the equipment operates as intended and meets the specified performance criteria.
Risk Mitigation: By conducting regular testing, any potential issues or malfunctions in the fume cupboards or extract systems can be identified early on. This allows for timely maintenance, repairs, or replacements, minimising the risk of accidents, leaks, or failures that could pose significant risks to personnel, the laboratory, or the environment.
Validation of Design and Installation: Fume cupboard testing provides validation that the design and installation of the equipment are appropriate and effective. It ensures that the fume cupboards are installed correctly, have the necessary control systems, and can provide the required level of protection.
Quality Assurance: Testing by a reputable and accredited testing facility, like Clean Air, assures that the fume cupboards have undergone rigorous evaluations and meet industry standards. This gives confidence to laboratory owners, operators, and personnel regarding the safety and reliability of the equipment.

Yes, Clean Air is capable of performing High Heat Load Type Testing. It has tailor-made heaters designed to deliver a consistent 4KW of heat, typically higher than regular laboratory operating levels. This unique capability allows Clean Air to thoroughly test fume cupboards to BS EN 14175-7:2012 High Heat Load Testing, making it the only facility in the UK that offers this level of testing. Additionally, Clean Air is open to testing fume cupboards with clients’ heating apparatus upon request, providing a comprehensive and customised testing experience

Clean Air’s facility has state-of-the-art testing equipment to ensure accurate and reliable fume cupboard testing. Some of the key testing equipment it uses includes;

Infrared Spectrophotometer Gas Analyser: This advanced instrument allows Clean Air to measure the escape of tracer gas at parts per billion (ppb) levels. It provides precise measurements to assess the containment efficiency of fume cupboards.

Inner Plane Testing Equipment: The Inner Plane Test involves the release of a tracer gas at a specific point inside the cupboard, measuring any escaping gas at the plane of the sash. Conducted across multiple sash positions, this test, recommended by Clean Air, determines the fume cupboard’s vulnerability to internal lab air movements.

Outer Plane Testing Equipment: Outer Plane Test releases the tracer gas at nine distinct points within the cupboard chamber. By measuring the average gas concentration from an external grid of test points while simulating the sash’s operation, it gauges containment and ensures user safety during the opening and closing of the sash.

Robustness of Containment Test Apparatus: Clean Air utilises a fully automated test apparatus specifically designed to perform the required tests to evaluate containment’s robustness. This apparatus ensures accurate and consistent testing procedures.

Velocity Testing Apparatus: The Velocity Testing Apparatus measures the face velocity at various points across the sash opening, documenting the average velocity and its fluctuations. This ensures the fume cupboard is efficient in purging itself.

Smoke Profiling Apparatus: the Smoke Profiling Apparatus is vital in tests such as the Inner Plane, Outer Plane, and Robustness of Containment which gauge the cupboard’s ability to contain fumes, particularly with tracer gas like Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6).

Full Extract and Replacement Air System: Clean Air’s facility is equipped with a comprehensive extract and replacement air system. This system effectively controls airflow within the testing environment, simulating real-life laboratory conditions.

Tailor-Made Heaters: Clean Air has commissioned tailor-made heaters to deliver consistent 4KW heat. These heaters are designed to meet the requirements of BS EN 14175-7:2012 High Heat Load Testing, enabling Clean Air to perform comprehensive testing under high heat load conditions.

Clean Air’s fume cupboard testing is designed to meet the criteria specified in BS EN 14175, the recognised European standard for fume cupboards. Compliance with this standard ensures that the fume cupboards undergo thorough testing and evaluation, meeting the required performance and safety criteria. By adhering to BS EN 14175, Clean Air ensures that their fume cupboard testing meets industry standards and provides assurance to clients regarding the quality and reliability of their equipment.

Yes, Clean Air can test almost any make and model of the fume cupboard. Its fume cupboard testing facility is equipped to handle various types and configurations of fume cupboards. It has the expertise and knowledge to assess the performance and safety of fume cupboards from different manufacturers.
Clean Air’s testing procedures are designed to meet the criteria specified in BS EN 14175, the recognised European standard for fume cupboards. By conducting thorough testing, it can verify that fume cupboards, regardless of the make and model, meet or exceed the recommended standards for containment and performance.
In addition to testing fume cupboards in its facility, Clean Air also offers on-site testing services anywhere in the UK.
This ensures convenience for clients who may prefer to have their fume cupboards tested in their laboratory environment.