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Fume Hood Certification & Testing Services

Rigorous face velocity profiling, ASHRAE 110 tracer gas containment testing, and comprehensive operational validation to protect laboratory personnel from hazardous vapors, aerosols, and chemical fumes.

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Safeguarding Laboratory Personnel Against Chemical Hazards

Laboratory chemical fume hoods are critical engineering controls designed to capture and exhaust dangerous fumes, gases, and particulates away from researchers. However, sash height imbalances, face velocity drift, or room supply airflow shifts can compromise containment, putting personnel at severe risk. We deliver comprehensive certification, testing, and troubleshooting services for all types of chemical fume hoods—ensuring full compliance with ANSI/AIHA Z9.5, OSHA, SEFA, and ASHRAE 110 standards. Whether supporting research laboratories, university facilities, or industrial chemical suites, our certified technicians verify absolute operator safety.

Comprehensive Velocity, Containment & Operational Testing Parameters

  • Face Velocity Profiling & Grid Measurements

    • Grid Velocity Traversing

      Measure and calculate average face velocity across the sash opening using calibrated anemometers divided into standard grid patterns (typically maintaining 100 fpm + 10%).

    • Minimum & Maximum Velocity Limits

      Verify that local velocities do not deviate beyond safe regulatory thresholds across any individual grid point

  • ASHRAE 110 Tracer Gas Containment Testing

    • SF6 / Tracer Gas Challenge

      Release sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) tracer gas inside the hood at a controlled rate to simulate real-world chemical vapor generation.

    • Sash Edge Detection

      Measure tracer gas leakage rates at the breathing zone of a standardized mannequin using a photoionization detector or mass spectrometer to grade overall hood containment performance.

  • Airflow Smoke Pattern Visualization

    • Capture & Turbulence Studies:

      Deploy high-purity smoke generators across the sash plane, work surface, and corners to visually confirm smooth directional flow into the hood without rollout or turbulence.

    • Cross-Draft & Room Disturbance Checks

      Evaluate the impact of nearby doors, foot traffic, and supply diffusers on hood containment stability.

  • Alarm, Baffle & Mechanical Diagnostics

    • Sash Alarm & Flow Monitor Calibration

      Test electronic airflow monitors, low-flow audible/visual alarms, and sash position sensors for accurate calibration.

    • Baffle Slot Inspection

      Inspect internal baffle configurations and exhaust slot clearances to ensure uniform air evacuation across the working chamber

Due for annual fume hood certification or experiencing airflow alarms?

Protect your laboratory staff and maintain strict regulatory compliance with professional testing and certification services.

Schedule Fume Hood Testing

Our Fume Hood Certification Process

  1. Phase 1

    Pre-Testing Inspection & Inventory Review

    Verifying fume hood types (constant volume, VAV, auxiliary air, or ducted/ductless), reviewing past reports, and staging NIST-traceable instrumentation.

  2. Phase 2

    Velocity Profiling & Smoke Testing

    o Executing grid-based face velocity measurements and visual smoke pattern evaluations to assess capture efficiency.

  3. Phase 3

    Advanced Containment Testing & Adjustment

    Performing optional ASHRAE 110 tracer gas testing and calibrating VAV tracking controllers or sash sensors to achieve optimal containment balance.

  4. Phase 4

    Certified Engineering Report Handover

    Affixing formal certification labels to the hood and delivering an audit-ready compliance package containing all velocity grids, test parameters, and calibration logs.

Frequently Ask Questions

  • What standards do you follow for fume hood certification?

    Our testing and validation protocols strictly comply with ASHRAE 110, ANSI/AIHA Z9.5 (Laboratory Ventilation), OSHA standards, and SEFA guidelines.

  • How often must chemical fume hoods be certified?

    Fume hoods must be certified upon initial installation, after any mechanical repair, filter change, or relocation, and at least annually.

  • What is the difference between face velocity testing and ASHRAE 110 testing?

    Face velocity measures how fast air moves through the open sash plane. ASHRAE 110 is a more rigorous, dynamic test that uses tracer gas to measure how well the hood actually contains and exhausts chemical vapors away from an operator’s breathing zone.

  • What is the difference between horizontal and vertical clean benches?

    Horizontal benches blow air directly toward the operator, protecting the product from room contaminants. Vertical benches push air downward toward the work surface, offering similar product protection while shielding the operator from certain upward aerosol splash paths.

  • What documentation is provided upon completion?

    You receive a detailed, audit-ready certification report containing average face velocities, grid measurement tables, smoke test observations, alarm calibration logs, and formal compliance tags.

Secure Your Laboratory’s Safety Today

Contact our validation and testing team to schedule your chemical fume hood certifications or coordinate your facility’s complete laboratory equipment inventory.

Request Fume Hood Support