Fume Hood Safety Series: Accident Prevention Tips When Working with a Fume Hood

Chip Albright, founder and president of Fume Hood Certified; 2025 Lab Design Conference workshop leader; Fume Hood Risk Mitigation Digital Conference speaker

Chip Albright, founder and president of Fume Hood Certified, is a globally recognized authority in laboratory safety and equipment, specializing in fume hood performance. With more than 40 years of industry experience, he offers extensive knowledge of safety standards, regulations, and cutting-edge technological advancements. In this Fume Hood Safety Series, he shares valuable insights and cautions for professionals involved in laboratory design, construction, and renovation.

Chip will be leading a workshop on “Validating Fume Hood Safety and Mitigating Risk” at the 2025 Lab Design Conference in Denver on May 11. Register now to secure your spot in this workshop, as space is limited! (Please note: This workshop is a separate add-on to your Lab Design Conference ticket.)

Additionally, you can watch Chip’s free on-demand webinar, “Your Chemical Fume Hood Is On Fire: What Do You Do?” from the Fume Hood Risk Mitigation Digital Conference. Register now to access the free webinar, and contact us at aia@labdesignconference.com to earn AIA LU/HSW credit for completing the video.

---

Fume hoods are essential laboratory safety devices, but even the best fume hood is only as effective as the person using it—and the ventilation system supporting it. Accidents in labs can have devastating consequences, from injury and lost research to legal liability and damaged reputations. Here are practical, experience-based tips to help prevent accidents when working with a fume hood.

1. Understand the hood’s purpose

A fume hood is not just a workspace—it's an Exposure Control Device (ECD). Its primary function is to capture, contain, dilute, and exhaust hazardous substances. Treat it as a shield between you and danger, not just a convenient place to do messy work.

2. Keep the sash low

The sash is your safety shield. Keep it as low as practical when working and fully closed when not in use. It protects against splashes, fires, and runaway reactions, acting as the first line of defense if something goes wrong.

3. Minimize turbulence

Turbulence is a major cause of containment failure. Avoid sudden movements, keep materials and equipment at least six inches inside the hood, and don’t block airflow with large items. Even your body movement in front of the hood can disrupt airflow and compromise safety.

4. Never rely on face velocity alone

Face velocity—a measure of airflow into the hood—is not a reliable indicator of safe containment. Containment testing is what truly reveals whether your hood is protecting you. Face velocity is a snapshot; containment is about performance over time.

5. Don’t overcrowd the hood

A cluttered hood compromises airflow. Use only what you need and remove unnecessary materials. This ensures air can move freely to capture and contain fumes effectively.

6. Know the emergency procedures

Emergencies are rarely straightforward. Know the locations of the fire extinguisher, emergency shower, eyewash station, first aid kit, and exits. You will react the way you’ve been trained—so practice is key.

7. Stay trained and informed

Training is not a one-time event. All users must receive hands-on instruction before using a fume hood and should regularly review safe use protocols. Understanding the risks of what you’re working with is just as important as knowing how to use the equipment.

8. Evaluate the risk, every time

Before beginning any experiment, ask yourself: What could go wrong? Consider the toxicity of chemicals, likelihood of hood failure, and length of exposure. Use this to guide how you operate the hood and set up your space.

9. Demand performance testing

A hood that hasn’t been tested isn’t a safety device—it’s a gamble. Regular containment testing, like the ASHRAE 110 protocol or dynamic containment testing, ensures that your hood is doing what it’s supposed to.

10. Create a culture of safety

Safety isn’t about checking boxes—it’s a mindset. Move beyond compliance to foster a lab culture where user safety is prioritized, accidents are taken seriously, and prevention is part of everyday lab life.

Accidents are expensive. Prevention is a bargain. A properly used, properly maintained fume hood is your best defense—don’t just hope it's working. Know it is.