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Fume Hood Containment Testing : Benefits for Health & Safety Committees




With the adoption of the MD 15128 document published by PWGSC and ANSI/AIHA Z9.5-2003, it is clear that an emphasis has been made to ensure that laboratory ventilation systems protect the user as they are intended to. 

Maxima Technical Services provides completely independent services for laboratory ventilation services including containment testing services (ASHREA 110-1995) that can determine if the systems are providing adequate protection.  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provide permissible exposure limits (PEL) that are accepted by government and private occupational health research agencies such as the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).  

Maxima Technical Services is able to provide a full range of testing services with respect to fume hoods and the environment that can determine if the systems are performing in a manner where reasonable expectation to maintain the PELs can be achieved.  Our reports are extensive, yet laid out in a fashion that lets the readers intuitively navigate through our graphical representations of face velocity, cross draft, and containment levels.  Our firm can assist you in creating a plan that will ensure that the laboratories are a safe place to work, in compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations.  We can also assist in adjusting the ventilation systems to ensure that they meet the criteria for the occupants and technologies involved in terms of control of temperature, humidity, and air quality in the most energy efficient manner.  After a laboratory has been optimized to achieve these goals, key measurement points can be used to periodically monitor the performance of the systems.  ANSI/AIHA Z9.5-2003 and PWGSC’s MD 15128 recommend that a yearly verification be made using key measurement points if no substantial design changes have occurred in the laboratories.

A common ideology exists that only the fume hood be verified, it is our point of view that the entire HVAC system in a laboratory be monitored since the environment in which the fume hood operates is a significant determining factor in their performance.  Our company relies on a wealth of experience and our independence to provide reports that are clear and intuitive.  The reports can be customized and delivered in electronic format that allows users easy access to information regarding the systems that are in place to ensure their safety.

Benefits:

  • Independent testing.
  • Clear comparisons to industry norms and standards.
  • Detailed documentation of test results.
  • Validation of containment vehicles such as fume hoods.