TSK-5750.06A Testing fume hoods

Upon receipt of authorized notification from Technical Maintenance Shop Supervisor or designee, the Technical Maintenance technician will perform the following tasks, in accordance with POL-5750.06:

1. Identify the fume hoods to be tested and record their location on appropriate documents. Ensure that all of the data is correct. Annotate any discrepancy in the comment blocks provided.
2. Inspect the physical condition of the fume hood and note any needs for repair at this time. Any fume hood found to be unsafe for operation during any phase of testing will be tagged and immediately removed from service. Ensure that those users who are responsible for hood operational status and utilization are notified that it will be out of service. Notify University Environmental Health and Safety staff. Hood shall be returned to operational service only after it has been repaired, re-tested, and approved by the University safety official having safety jurisdiction over these devices.
3. Check all associated make up air handlers, equipment and controls to insure proper make up air is available prior to actual test of fume hood. Air filters, damper actuators, and other equipment must be checked. Report any problems to the appropriate maintenance shop for repairs.
4. Measure the velocity in FPM of air flowing through the face of the hood, taking the readings at a minimum of nine rectangles of equal areas in the vertical plane of the sash. Average these readings, in order to obtain average face velocity in Feet Per Minute (FPM).
5. If desired to calculate the make-up air to match that exhausted by the fume hood, measure the face area of the hood and multiply by the average face velocity to obtain the Cubic Feet Per Minute (CFM).
6. Deviation from designed FPM shall not exceed more than 20% at any given reading of the samples taken. Determine if the adjustment of the back baffles is consistent with the work being done in the hood. Adjust baffles as necessary to correct deviation factor to acceptable limits. Refer to Western Washington University Health and Safety Manual for “deviation” limits established under Fume Hood Criteria.
7. With a smoke generator, check air patterns behind the indicated safety line (located six inches inside the face opening). Check for any air drafts that may affect hood operation. Also check for any reverse flow patterns within the hood itself.
8. Attach appropriate labels that indicate the 100FPM working sash height, full sash open FPM and any other pertinent warning labels. Annotate required measurement readings into the standard Fume Hood Exhaust Test Sheet format. Provide hard copy of test to Technical Maintenance Supervisor for archiving of test data and to provide data for Environmental Health and Safety records on the fume hood testing program.