From: Kim Gates <kim.gates**At_Symbol_Here**STONYBROOK.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Chemistry Fume Hood Experience
Date: April 30, 2013 7:31:30 AM EDT
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: <CAKoY-_yTC6ra4zmfcXvPYTGD00+Fyh+tbRrsN5KUBAhsUSFW8A**At_Symbol_Here**mail.gmail.com>


In our new undergrad chem labs, the hood low flow alarms kept going off also. The area has many hoods in a small space. The testing & balance company came in & found that there was not enough supply air. Increasing supply helped, but the alarms kept going off. I contacted the alarm manufacturer and found that the low flow alarm was set at 100 fpm - the point where the air flow was supposed to be set at. When students walked past the hoods (teaching lab=large number of people), the air flow movement caused the alarm to trigger. Resetting the alarm to go off at 70 fpm stopped the problem. The 70 fpm is still withing the hood efficiency range but allows for the air movement.

Have you checked your alarm set points?


Kim Gates
Laboratory Safety Specialist
Environmental Health & Safety
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY 11794-6200
Kim.Gates**At_Symbol_Here**stonybrook.edu
631-632-3032
FAX: 631-632-9683
EH&S Web site: http://www.stonybrook.edu/ehs/lab/

Please note my name and email have changed.


On Mon, Apr 29, 2013 at 6:10 PM, Mary Ellen A Scott <mas35**At_Symbol_Here**case.edu> wrote:
We have performed the ASHRAE test on these hoods and they all passed. The alarms do go off frequently and so are ignored. So I am concerned about the wolf and have stated as much in writing. I have been asking for the monitors to be serviced. Starting with the monitors and followed with your suggestions may be enough to move through the block.


On Mon, Apr 29, 2013 at 4:57 PM, Yung Morgan <pmorgan**At_Symbol_Here**ehs.umass.edu> wrote:

For the new high efficiency hoods, require an Ashrae 110 test as manufactured(AM) and another one as installed (AI) for at least 10 or 20% of the hoods in your facility.

Air flow alarm visible( with numbers) and audible are a requirement. When testing the hoods we have a required that the hoods pass at flow rate: 80 FPM(70-90FPM) at 18 inches opening and hood alarm set at 55FPM , sash response time at 60 sec or less. Ask for a balancing report also to be sure the supply is proper for the space as a VAV hood will not work without enough supplied air, hence the constant flow alarm which can be a nuisance to the occupants. Fume hoods sensors are not always useful as research hoods have to run overnight at optimum flow rates, a constant battle between the energy group and safety people. Room occupancy sensors are fine as long as the researchers know to not to work in the dark(with the light off) unless they want their hoods air flow to go down.

Again, just my two cents.

Yung Morgan, MsPH
Laboratory Safety
Industrial Hygiene Services
Environmental Health and Safety
117 Draper hall
UMASS,Amherst MA 01003
phone (413) 545-2682
Fax (413) 545-2600
email : pmorgan**At_Symbol_Here**ehs.umass.edu

From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of Jim Johnson


Sent: Sunday, April 28, 2013 6:35 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Chemistry Fume Hood Experience

Good Afternoon,
I would like to start a discussion on current experience with chemistry fume hoods related to overall quality, best value, interior construction, coatings/materials of construction, installation issues, air flow alarms, order lead time, energy saving features plus anything else that comes to mind.
Thank you,

James S. Johnson Ph.D., CIH, QEP
JSJ and Associates
Pleasanton, CA 94588




--
Mary Ellen Scott, PhD.
Safety Specialist II
Case Western Reserve University
EHS - Environmental Health and Safety
Service Building 1st Floor Rm 113
2220 Circle Dr.
Cleveland, OH 44106-7227
216-368-6077
216-368-2236 (Fax)
maryellen.scott**At_Symbol_Here**case.edu
"There is no science without fancy and no art without fact" =96 Vladimir Nabokov (1899-1977)


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