A simple method for fume cupboard performance assessment

The performance of a fume cupboard is determined by a complex interaction o f factors which are time consuming and expensive to determine, This paper d escribes a simple and practical means of ranking, and assessing fume cupboa rd installations that can help to discharge managerial responsibility for a 'safe' environment. The method also gives an economically viable and techn ically defensible system for assessing fume cupboard performance as part of upgrading exercises or performance audits. The assessment strategy uses fl ow visualisation techniques and measurements of inflow air velocity as well as overall condition evaluation to rank performance and identify poor perf orming cupboards. The method has been used to carry out a condition and per formance survey of 199 fume cupboards, both aerodynamic and box-type design s, in an academic institution. The results of this survey are presented whi ch not only highlight performance characteristics but also provide insights into user attitudes and knowledge of fume cupboard operation and performan ce. It is suggested that surveys such as this could be helpful in training programmes for laboratory workers to enable them to optimise the use of fum e cupboards. (C) 2000 British Occupational Hygiene Society. Published by El sevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.