Learn About Laboratory Fume Hoods Standards

ANSI/ASHRAE 110:1995

ASHRAE110-1995 (ANSI approved) is one of the most challenging standards in the world that tests the containment efficiency of a fume hood. The efficiency is derived from the fume hood's ability to contain the released challenge gas under normal operation. The ASHRAE110-1995 test facility at Esco is constructed based on recommendations given by Invent-UK, a third party organisation that certifies fume hoods. The ASHRAE 110-1995 is mainly composed of three tests: flow visualization, face velocity uniformity and SF6 containment.

 

Smoke Visualization

SMOKE VISUALIZATION

Face Velocity Test

FACE VELOCITY TEST

Tracer Gas Containment

TRACER GAS CONTAINMENT

 

The derived performance as determined by the smoke visualization test and the face velocity uniformity measurement provides a valuable indicator of the containment property of the fume hood. The SF6 containment test provides the ultimate proof in establishing this sequence. If the results of the smoke test and the face velocity test are good, then the containment capability of a fume hood is good.

Here in Esco, we are capable of conducting the complete ASHRAE110-1995 test in our laboratory. For further information on the test method and observed results, please download detailed report.

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EN14175 Tests

EN14175 is comprised of a series of containment tests other than the normal face velocity tests. Containment tests include Inner Measurement Plane Tests, Outer Measurement Plane Tests and Robustness of Containment Test. The challenge gas which is released into the fume hood is 10% SF6 and 90% N2. A set of sampling probes is positioned at various predetermined locations to monitor SF6 escaping from the hood.

For the inner and outer measurement plane tests, a detector probe set is moved across the sash opening at various heights and sash positions to assess the overall containment efficiency of the fume hood under normal operations. For the robustness test, a vertical plank mounted perpendicular to the sash plane is made to run to and fro across the sash opening at a fixed speed. This disturbs the inflow and gives an opportunity for the SF6 to escape. A reliable fume hood ensures that at that level of disturbance, the fume hood is still able to quarantine the released SF6.

For conformity evaluation, a type test is carried out on one of Esco's EFH units fresh off the production line. Thanks to Esco's design, EFH passed the performance requirements of EN14175.