Testing the Hood Test - What Works, What Does Not

Andrew Sinnamon, Mott Manufacturing Limited

A standard bench fume hood was subjected to a large number of performance tests. All tests were based on modifications to the standard ASHRAE 110 fume hood test. The modifications are those that are commonly adopted by various well meaning laboratory consultants, architects, and engineers in an attempt to correct or toughen the industry standard fume hood performance test. Many of these modifications were found to represent no greater challenge to the fume hood than the standard unmodified test. Some of the common modifications were meaningful and lessons learned will be presented. A detailed summary of each of the modifications along with the usual justification for each will also be shown.

Labs21 Connection:

As facility owners seek to reduce the energy consumption of fume hoods they sometimes encounter resistance and are required to take extraordinary steps to prove that unconventional hoods can provide an equal safety level. Many specialized tests are conceived to try to prove the capabilities of these hoods. This poster will summarize all the modifications to the standard hood test that were encountered and provide guidance to consultants who wish to add extra requirements to fume hood specifications.

Biography:

Andrew Sinnamon has been involved in fume hood design, development and testing for 16 years as Mott Manufacturing's Fume Hood Specialist. He is a Mechanical Engineering Technologist and a full member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. Mr. Sinnamon has served with the Canadian Standards Association on the Fume Hood committee.

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