San Diego Fume Hood Certification
Research facilities and laboratories throughout San Diego understand that fume hoods play a vital role in maintaining a safe and effective operation. Fume hood certification and fume hood calibrations play an extremely important role in research. The team at GL Technologies provides fume hood certifications and calibration services for companies throughout the San Diego and have become a trusted provider for fume hood certifications. Chemical fume hoods should be tested and certified on an annual basis, complete ASHRAE 110 testing is recommend by GL-Tec to be performed on new fume hoods and when changes are made to existing fume hoods.
To speak with the experts about your fume hood certification needs, please fill out our online form or give us a call!
Fume Hoods - BioSafety Cabinets
When the experts at GL-Tec provide fume hood certification testing, the testing consists of an inflow velocity profile test & smoke containment & visualization tests. We recommend these tests are done annually as part of the overall chemical safety management program for the laboratory or research facility.
Fume Hood Testing and Certification is Performed in Accordance with NSF 49, which includes:
Inflow velocity testing
Downflow velocity testing
HEPA filter integrity testing
Smoke pattern testing
Site installation testing
Fume Hood Tests to be Performed
Here are a few of the tests our team will perform for San Diego fume hood certification
Airflow Velocity Testing
GL Technologies will measure the air velocity within the fume hood by checking how effective the hood's containment capabilities are, which is important to control and minimize exposure to hazardous fumes, vapors, and particles. The airflow velocity testing involves specialized instruments that measure the airflow velocity to see if it meets the required standards and guidelines for your laboratory's research. With accurate velocity testing, this will add a layer of protection for both the laboratory employees and working environment. The test measures the speed at the point air enters a fume hood's opening and a general recommendation is the hood's opening velocity (face velocity), should be between 0.3 m/s (60 fpm) and 0.5 m/s (100 fpm).
Variable Air Volume Speed & Response
The variable air volume (VAV) speed and response testing involves evaluating the performance of the fume hood's ventilation system by focusing on the airflow control mechanism. By measuring the speed and response time of the variable air volume system, our technicians can verify that the fume hood has the necessary air balance and is able to adjust the airflow to match the environmental conditions in the workspace. This testing procedure will increase laboratory safety and maintain the validity of experiments and research that is being done within the controlled laboratory environment.
Smoke Visualization Test
The smoke visualization test is performed to check how fume hood's performance in controlling hazardous fumes, vapors, and gases. During the test, non-toix smoke is released near the opening of teh fume hood, allowing our technicians to visually observe the direction and flow of the smoke. With this observation of the smoke's movement and its containment within the hood, any air leaks or inadequate airflow will be identified easily and the necessary changes can be fixed to safeguarded the health and safety of laboratory personnel.
Types of Fume Hoods for Certification
Bypass Fume Hoods
Bypass fume hoods are designed with a unique airflow configuration hat allows for a controlled flow of air with the ability to contain harmful substances. Because of a bypass mechanism, bypass fume hoods maintain a constant face velocity, even when the sash is adjusted or slightly open, preventing dangerous gases and vapors from escaping. The design of tehse fume hoods also offers energy efficiency by minimizing the air volume require for ventilation, which results in lower energy consumption.
Variable Air Volume Fume Hood
Unlike traditional fume hoods, variable air volume fume hoods incorporate sensors and controls to regulate the volume of air that is extracted based on "real-time" conditions within the hood. This type of fume hood system adjusts airflow to maintain a safe working environment by reponding to changes in the sash position and chemical fume levels. It will reduce airflow when the sash is closed or when the fume levels are low while providing lower energy consumption, lower operational costs, and improving the laboratory's air quality.
Add Air Fume Hoods
These are used as an alternative to bypass fume hoods. When there is not enough air supply available for air filtration, outside air is added through the pleneum and provide up to 70% of the hood exhaust requirements, while minimizing conditioned room air required.
As experts in fume hood certification and calibration, GL-Tec has become one of San Diego's premier fume hood certification providers proudly serving clients throughout California.
Fume Hood Education
The Role of Fume Hood Certification in Biopharma Laboratories
Biopharmaceutical laboratories play an important role in advancing medical science by developing innovative drugs, vaccines, and therapies. Within these labs, strict safety measures are important to protect both researchers and the environment. Among the various safety equipment used, fume hoods stand as an essential component. Their certification and regular maintenance are crucial to maintain a safe working environment conducive to high-quality research and development.
Fume Hood Certification Best Practices in BioPharma
In the bustling world of BioPharma, where innovation and discovery are at the forefront, ensuring the safety of laboratory personnel and maintaining regulatory compliance are paramount. Among the myriad of safety measures in place, fume hoods stand out as a critical component for protecting researchers from hazardous substances. These enclosed workspaces help to contain and remove harmful fumes, vapors, and dust, safeguarding both the environment and the individuals working within it. However, to ensure their effectiveness, proper certification and maintenance of fume hoods are essential. In this blog, we delve into the best practices for fume hood certification within the BioPharma industry.
Innovations in Fume Hood Technology for Pharmaceutical Industries
Pharmaceutical industries operate within a fine balance of innovation and safety. As advancements in pharmaceutical research and production continue to accelerate, so must the technologies that maintain the safety of workers and the integrity of the products being developed. One important aspect of this safety infrastructure is fume hood technology. Fume hoods play a vital role in protecting laboratory personnel from harmful fumes, vapors, and particulates, protecting both human health and the quality of pharmaceutical compounds. In recent years, significant innovations have emerged in fume hood design and functionality, offering improved performance, efficiency, and versatility to meet the evolving needs of the pharmaceutical industry.
GL Technologies Capabilities
As a full-service company specializing in equipment calibration, repair, and certification services for biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries. Our team has extensive experience working with sPRT calibrations along with CMMS software, HPLC OQ validation, and fume hood certifications. Companies of all sizes rely on our team to implement, maintain, and keep their research and manufacturing processes compliant with regulatory standards. Other specialties include building maintenance systems, and mass spectrometry calibrations. GL Technologies also serves laboratories throughout the Orange County area.
To speak with the experts about your fume hood certification needs, please fill out our online form or give us a call!
To request a quote from GL-Tec, please fill out our online form and we will get back to you promptly.
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