Scientist working within a laminar flow hood in a laboratory. The scientist, a woman with ponytailed hair and eyeglasses, is focused on her task, handling petri dishes that are stacked within the hood. She's wearing a white lab coat and latex gloves, emphasizing a sterile environment. In the foreground, there's laboratory equipment including flasks with white closures, indicating ongoing scientific work.

What is a Flow Hood?

Working in a laboratory requires being aware of which type of equipment is required for keeping the environment safe while working with hazardous materials. If your lab is at risk of particulate contamination of materials, a laminar flow hood, also known as a clean bench or LFH, may be necessary.

overexposed photo of two people in a laboratory environment. Both individuals are wearing white lab coats, as they are scientists or researchers. The person on the left is a woman with short hair, facing the man on the right, who is smiling. They are having a conversation. In the background, there are fume hoods with closed sashes.

Are Fume Hoods Necessary?

A fume hood is an important part of any laboratory that works with harmful particles, vapors, or chemicals. Fume hoods limit exposure to toxic gasses by pushing the contaminated air outside or filtering the particles through a filter and recirculating clean back into the laboratory.

Cleaning a fume hood

How To Clean A Fume Hood: Discover The Best Materials For Each Surface

Working in a laboratory usually involves hazardous chemicals and materials. Like any equipment, fume hoods need regular cleaning to keep them in good condition.

Fume hood Ventilation for jewelry-making labs

Ventilating Your Jewelry-Making Lab

While jewelry-making may seem like a low-risk activity, it actually involves dangerous chemicals and acid-rich materials. Jewelry makers who utilize silver soldering, welding, epoxy resins, solvents, sanding, polishing chemicals…

a person in full protective gear, including a lab coat, gloves, and a face mask, is working inside a fume hood. The fume hood is equipped with lighting on the top and has a clear glass sash, which is raised, allowing access to the interior workspace. Inside, there are petri dishes and laboratory equipment, indicating that the individual is likely conducting experiments or handling sensitive materials that require containment.

How Much Does A Fume Hood Cost?

The cost of a fume hood can be difficult to obtain and pinpointing an exact price can be nearly impossible with some manufacturers. Here is what you need to know when it comes to fume hood pricing.

person performing a pipetting procedure in a laboratory setting. The individual is wearing a white lab coat and blue gloves, handling a pipette and working with several rows of test tubes and sample trays, which are commonly used in scientific research and medical laboratory settings.

Different Types Of Fume Hoods

Whether you work on personal projects or in a lab, it’s important to determine what type of fume hood you should invest in.

Male scientist with short hair and wearing safety glasses working in a laboratory. In the foreground there is a set of test tubes held in a stand, some containing a purple liquid and one being filled with a pipette that has a blue liquid.

Avoid These Four Common Fume Hood Mistakes

Fume hoods are effective safety devices when used correctly. However, no matter how well a hood is designed, it won’t be effective unless proper laboratory safety measures are taken.

Fume hood testing and certification

Fume Hood Testing & Certification

Whether you work in a large research facility or a makeshift laboratory in your garage, it’s imperative that the equipment you use is safe.

questions to ask when buying a fume hood

What To Ask When Purchasing A Fume Hood

Fume hoods are a necessity, but can also be a costly investment for many laboratories. When purchasing a fume hood, it’s important to make sure that you’re getting the right hood for your lab and your budget.

what size fume hood do I need?

What Size Fume Hood Do I Need?

While designing the layout of your laboratory, you will need to plan for the placement of the fume hood. A successful laboratory layout will promote the use of laboratory space while ensuring safe working conditions for laboratory personnel. 

a guide to laboratory etiquette

A Guide To Laboratory Etiquette

Working in a laboratory is important and essential work. However, it can also be dangerous if you don’t follow proper lab etiquette.

when is it time to get a new fume hood

When Is It Time to Upgrade Your Fume Hood?

Fume hoods don’t last forever, but there always comes a time for an upgrade. Here are a few instances when you need to consider upgrading your fume hood.