Fume Cupboards
 
A Brief Guide to AS/NZS 2243-2006
Safety in Laboratories Part 8: Fume Cupboards

The Standard requires that fume cupboards are audited to a checklist. Here is an example checklist with abbreviated description of compliance items.

• Control valve handles marked to identify service fluid
• Service outlets individually controlled
• Service controls outside fume chamber
• Electrical outlets outside fume chamber
• Electrical outlets protected by RCD's
• Emergency Isolator correctly labelled
• Fault status audible and visible
• Power failure alarm capable of 20 min duration
• Fan runs after manual isolation of power & gas
• Automatic low airflow isolation of power & gas
• Manual restart for power & gas
• 1 minute delay after fan on before power & gas available
• Fan runs for 20 minutes after shut down, and power & gas not available
• 400 Lx at worktop
• Lighting sealed from fumes
• Access to service light fitting
• Base of fume chamber sealed to contain spills
• Spill containment >10mm high, >5L volume
• Sash counter-balanced
• Sash transparent, corrosion resistant
• Sash has mechanical upper stop, needs tool to release, auto reset
• Sash lower stop >50mm
• Aerodynamic sash handle
• Removeable baffles
• Support structure suitable for chemicals, load and heat
• Warning label fitted
• Serial No plate fitted
• Thermal sensor (if fitted) corrosion resistant
• Minimum 5 air changes / minute through fume chamber
• All exhaust duct inside the building at negative pressure
• Airflow continuously monitored
• Separate duct, own fan
• no reverse air flow
• Fan accessible for cleaning
• Vertical discharge 3m above roof
• Fire extinguisher provided at 4m

Fume cupboard performance is determined by velocity test, and tracer smoke evaluation. Average face velocity must be 0.5m/sec or more. The total variation must be within 20% of the mean. Tracer smoke must not escape from the fume chamber.