Fume cupboards

You have to turn them on AND OFF.

There are fume cupboards in most labs. They are used for the preparation of toxic, corrosive and/or volatile substances and are designed to protect you from these materials. In order to ensure maximum protection please:

• Make sure that there are no unnecessary obstacles to internal air flows within the fume cupboard (e.g. containers or equipment.)
• Work with the sash as low as practically possible as it provides a physical barrier that protects you from spills and splashes.
• Keep the sash shut when you are not using the fume cupboard as this saves energy and protects laboratory users.

There is a fume cupboard in 9.133 (Extraction Lab) and 8.130a (Organic Geochemistry Lab) which is only used for hydrofluoric acid (HF) and perchloric acid. HF is highly toxic and corrosive and must only be used if you have received specific training and permission to do so. DO NOT USE UNLESS TRAINED.

Basic operation

The fume cupboards have three operation modes all of which pull out air and give the impression that they are on. The fume cupboard is only truly on and safe to use in the “ON” mode.

This is the full experimental mode and for use when the activities are being carried out in the fume cupboard. Unless this mode is turned off again it will remain on 24 hours a day 7 days a week so please remember to turn them off when they are not in active use.

To switch the fume cupboard ON press the “I” button on the panel on the top left corner. The fume cupboard display will now show “EXT ON”.

Please use the following signs to indicate whether the exhaust should be turned off when not in active use.