What should you pay attention to when purchasing a fume hood?

Choosing the right fume hood is crucial for the safety and efficiency of your laboratory. But with so many different designs and options, the choice can sometimes be difficult. Asking the right questions will help you make a well-informed decision:

1. What chemicals are used in the fume hood?
   Not every cabinet is suitable for all substances. The nature of the chemicals partly determines the type of fume hood you need.

2. Is an exhaust or recirculation unit most suitable?
   This depends on your specific applications and the available space in your laboratory.

3. Where will the fume hood be located?
   The position in the lab influences its effectiveness. Consider workflows, airflows, and user safety.

4. Which size best suits your needs?
   Consider whether equipment needs to be placed in the cabinet and how much work space is required.

5. Are additional facilities required?
   Think of sockets, water or gas connections.

6. Do you need a base cabinet?
   For acid, solvent or non-chemical storage, an integrated under-counter cabinet can be an efficient solution.