Chemical fume hoods are used to capture and exhaust potentially dangerous chemical fumes and vapors from chemicals used or stored in the fume hood.
Inspection Requirements
Cal/OSHA T8 5154 requires annual testing to ensure that the average linear air velocity across the open face of the fume hood meets specifications to ensure that fumes are not escaping from the fume hood.
Additionally, air flow alarms that continuously monitor the flow of air must be tested, calibrated as necessary, and certified to be functioning properly on an annual basis.
EH&S is responsible for arranging the annual testing and certification of fume hoods and air flow alarms by outside contractors.
Facilities Services is responsible for the repair and maintenance of chemical fume hoods.
CY 2024 Update
In 2024, 127 of 149 chemical fume hoods were tested and certified.
The remaining 22 fume hoods either failed testing (4) and were taken out of service, or required repairs before testing could be performed.
Technical Safety Services (TSS) conducted the annual testing and certification of fume hoods that have air flow monitors and alarms.
Testing of fume hoods that are equipped with Variable Air Volume (VAV) controls (in the old Science Building, the Science Trailers, and the SEIC) requires a different inspection of the controller functioning by another contractor.