Overview
- Yellow-tagged chemical fume hoods
- Passed capture tests
- Failed for something non-critical
- Cracked sash, burned out lights
- Red-tagged chemical fume hoods
- Failed capture tests
- BSM/EHS follow up
BSM’s procedure for certifying chemical fume hoods includes the tagging of chemical fume hoods when problems are found. The tags used are either yellow or red.
Yellow-tagged chemical fume hoods are those that pass the capture tests but don’t meet the chemical fume hood standard for some other reason such as a light being out, a cracked sash, etc. Usually these issues will be addressed by BSM in a fairly timely manner and the yellow tag will be removed. If you find a yellow tag on the chemical fume hood and the recertification date is weeks or months old, note this on the report for the Senior Specialist to follow up with BSM. In some cases, it might be something that is not readily fixable but does not detract from the proper function of the chemical fume hood.
Red-tagged chemical fume hoods fail for capture. In other words, air in the chemical fume hood is escaping back into the lab. In some cases, this is due to very large equipment being present in the chemical fume hood. When a chemical fume hood fails for capture, BSM notifies the PI and EHS noting the cause for the failure. If the failure is due to large equipment or its specific location within the chemical fume hood, EHS will work with the PI to determine if the item can be moved, rearranged, etc. so that the chemical hood meets capture requirements and can be re-certified.