Fume Hoods

Environment, Health & Safety assists campus in complying with Cal/OSHA ventilation requirements for laboratory-type hood operations (Title 8, §5154.1 and now §5154.2). Health & Safety team members monitor and report annually the operational status of nearly 1,300 chemical fume hoods to users, building coordinators, safety coordinators, and Facilities Services (formerly PP-CS) for adjustments and/or repairs.

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Proper Use of a Fume Hood

Fume Hood Flow Meter Information and Instructions

The following is a guide on how to use fume hood airflow monitors in evaluating the performance of the fume hood.

There are basically two types of airflow monitors used on Campus fume hoods and exhaust ventilation. There are differential pressure gauges and digital monitors with alarms. The pressure gauges are mechanically simple and measure and display negative pressure inside the exhaust duct (above the hood) relative to the room pressure. The digital monitors need electrical power to measure the velocity of the airflow into the hood. The digital monitors are quite sensitive and can be connected to airflow controllers (variable air volume controllers) and have visual or audible alarms when the velocity is low or too high. Because they are more sensitive the digital monitors may need more maintenance or adjustments. Below we list specific information on the one common pressure gauge and five example brands of digital monitors.

If your fume hood is equipped with a flow monitor not on this list (or has no flow monitor) contact EH&S at 642-3073.