We are in the process of remodeling a building, which currently houses an
old perchloric acid fume hood.  I'm still tracking down how old it is, but
I'm fairly sure it's at least 30 years of age.  As part of the remodel, the
perc hood is to be removed.  There are several issues here.

1.  No one remembers any hot perchloric acid work ever being performed in
this hood (I'm still tracking down the recently retired folks to see what
they know), and it has been either sealed shut or used as a regular chemical
fume hood over the past 10-15 years.  I'm not sure whether trusting in
people's memories over the course of the hood's life is the best policy.

2.  The duct system is plumbed above the bench of the hood so that it washes
a six foot run of ducting and the hood itself.  The plumbing does NOT extend
any farther up the duct system, nor out onto the roof where it vents, which
leads us to.........

3.  The duct takes a turn approximately two feet above where it emerges from
the roof, and has approximately 3-4 feet of vertical run to the blower
assembly.

The plan under consideration at the moment is to start on the roof and check
each section for the presence of perchlorates, then spray the heck out of it
with water before removing just that section.

I'm hoping for some feedback regarding other people's experiences,
suggestions for procedure / materials, and anything else the combined wisdom
of these fine groups can give us to perform this remodel safely and in a
timely fashion.  I know the contractors would like to start within the next
couple of weeks.

Pictures of the rooftop portion of the hood's exhaust system have been
posted to the AIHAH and Hazmat group sites on Yahoo, but I'm still working
on how to share my Flickr account with folks - perhaps just contacting me
off-list?

Thanks in advance,
Wendy

-- 
Wendy Campbell, ASP
Occupational Health and Safety Officer
Environmental Health and Safety
Boise State University
1910 University Drive
Boise, Idaho 83725-1826
Office: (208) 426-3303
Fax:  (208) 426-3343




We are in the process of remodeling a building, which currently houses an o
ld perchloric acid fume hood.=A0 I'm still tracking down how old it is,
 but I'm fairly sure it's at least 30 years of age.=A0 As part of t
he remodel, the perc hood is to be removed.=A0 There are several issues her
e.=A0 

1.=A0 No one remembers any hot perchloric acid work ever being performe
d in this hood (I'm still tracking down the recently retired folks to s
ee what they know), and it has been either sealed shut or used as a regular
 chemical fume hood over the past 10-15 years.=A0 I'm not sure whether 
trusting in people's memories over the course of the hood's life is
 the best policy.

2.=A0 The duct system is plumbed above the bench of the hood so that it
 washes a six foot run of ducting and the hood itself.=A0 The plumbing does
 NOT extend any farther up the duct system, nor out onto the roof where it 
vents, which leads us to.........

3.=A0 The duct takes a turn approximately two feet above where it emerg
es from the roof, and has approximately 3-4 feet of vertical run to the blo
wer assembly.=A0 

The plan under consideration at the moment is to s
tart on the roof and check each section for the presence of perchlorates, t
hen spray the heck out of it with water before removing just that section.
=A0 

I'm hoping for some feedback regarding other people's experienc
es, suggestions for procedure / materials, and anything else the combined w
isdom of these fine groups can give us to perform this remodel safely and i
n a timely fashion.=A0 I know the contractors would like to start within th
e next couple of weeks.=A0 

Pictures of the rooftop portion of the hood's exhaust system have b
een posted to the AIHAH and Hazmat group sites on Yahoo, but I'm still 
working on how to share my Flickr account with folks - perhaps just contact
ing me off-list?

Thanks in advance,
Wendy

-- 
Wendy Campbell,
 ASP
Occupational Health and Safety Officer
Environmental Health and 
Safety 
Boise State University
1910 University Drive
Boise, Idaho 
83725-1826

Office: (208) 426-3303
Fax: =A0(208) 426-3343



--000e0cd1792476e79a048449f7c8--

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