Hood Certification Tags Explained

In pharmaceutical research, the integrity of experiments is critical. Contamination from airborne pollutants can compromise the quality of results, which can ultimately threaten the health and safety of laboratory personnel and the public. Properly functioning fume hoods capture and contain hazardous chemicals and vapors, minimizing the risk of contamination and cross-contamination between laboratories. Regulatory bodies and industry standards set strict guidelines for the inspection and testing of laboratory equipment. Regular fume hood certification is an essential element in meeting those standards and ensuring the safety of all lab workers.

Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning performs routine inspection and annual testing of chemical fume hoods on all UNM campuses. A survey sticker indicating the date of certification is placed on each hood. If a hood fails to meet the minimum performance standards, it is marked with a red “DO NOT USE” sticker. The hood will remain out of service until it has been repaired and retested by EHS.

Hood Certification Tags Explained: Why They Matter for Compliance

The hood is tested with a local challenge (measuring flow around the hood opening and just inside the hood) and a tracer gas test. The tracer gas test simulates a lab technician working in the fume hood, evaluating the hood’s ability to contain chemical vapor and protect the worker from environmental exposure. The test also evaluates the functionality of alarm systems, safety interlocks, and other important features of the hood.

In addition to visual inspection, EHS will check the sash and baffles for wear and deterioration, magnehelic gauges, airflow indicators and electrical components. Hoods that do not pass the testing will be labeled with a red “DO NOT USE” (see photo) until they are repaired and retested by EHS.

Oklahoma Hood Cleaning – Kitchen Exhaust Cleaners LLC
“1713 NE 52nd St
Oklahoma City, OK 73111”
(405) 371-5291