Fume Hood Safety Series: What to Do in Case of a Fume Hood Fire

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Written By Chip Albright

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.

A fire inside a laboratory fume hood is a high-stress emergency, and how you respond in the first few seconds can determine whether the incident becomes a minor scare or a major disaster. Proper training, preparation, and response are critical. Here's a clear and practical guide to what to do if a fire breaks out in a fume hood.

1. Don’t panic—react with purpose

Lab emergencies are rarely clean or isolated. Fires may be accompanied by chemical exposure, injuries, or electrical hazards. Panic is your enemy. Preparation is your ally. You tend to do under stress what you’ve practiced, so regular drills and training are essential.

2. Lower the sash

The fume hood sash acts as a safety shield. If a fire starts inside the hood, lower the sash immediately to its lowest safe working position—typically around 18 inches or lower if possible. This action contains the fire, limits oxygen, and protects you from heat, flames, and potential projectiles from exploding containers.

3. Do NOT attempt to extinguish a large fire

If the fire is small and manageable (like a burning paper towel or a small flask), you may use a class ABC fire extinguisher — only if you’ve been trained to do so and feel confident it’s safe. Stand back, aim low, and sweep side to side. If there’s any hesitation, evacuate. Fire extinguishers are for escaping danger, not fighting it.

4. Activate the fire alarm and call for help

Immediately pull the nearest fire alarm and call emergency services. Know ahead of time where your fire alarm pull stations, phones, and emergency exits are located. Don’t assume someone else will do it. Seconds matter.

5. Evacuate the area

Leave the lab and close the door behind you. Do not stay behind to gather personal items. Alert others in nearby rooms and follow your facility’s evacuation protocol. Head to the designated assembly area and do not re-enter the building until cleared by authorities.

6. Report the incident

Once safe, provide responding personnel with information:

  • What was in the hood?

  • What chemicals were involved?

  • Were there any injuries?

  • Were other hazards (compressed gas, electricity) present?

This information is vital for emergency responders to assess the risk.

7. Post-incident: reflect, report, revise

Every incident, no matter how small, should be thoroughly investigated. Document what happened, what went right, what went wrong, and what can be improved. Conduct a debrief with staff or students. Accidents are expensive—both financially and emotionally. Prevention is a bargain.

Final thoughts

Fume hoods are safety devices, not magic boxes. A well-designed hood can contain a fire—but only if it’s working properly and used correctly. Always keep your hood clear of clutter, don’t store flammable materials inside, and regularly test for containment.

How we respond to these events will determine the outcome, from minor to major. Let’s be ready.

Safety is no accident.

Chip Albright

Chip Albright is an internationally recognized expert in laboratory safety and equipment, with a specialization in fume hood performance. With over 40 years of professional experience, he brings a deep understanding of industry standards, safety regulations, and advanced technological innovations. He has worked for several of the industry leaders in fume hood production. Chip developed 9 innovative fume hood designs; many of which have been copied by hood manufacturers worldwide. Chip has also personally tested hundreds of hoods. His groundbreaking research in utilizing multi-colored lasers, to better visualize airflow, has led to the development of the Tri-Color Airflow Visualizer. For more than a decade, Chip has been a consultant and coach, working with manufacturers of laboratory furniture and fume hoods worldwide. With clients in India, China, and Germany, as well as 14 other countries. In 2020, he wrote and published the book, “Laboratory Fume Hoods Explained. Chip has given keynote addresses at dozens of major industry conferences and has conducted fume hood safety workshops around the world. Chip has been an active member of SEFA, including eight years as a member of the Board, a term as Association Chair, and has participated in numerous standard writing efforts.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chipalbright/
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