Automatic opening/closing fume hoods were installed in our newer lab building, although EHS was not involved in that decision. We discovered that feature when wandering around after it was built. My two cents for your situation is to make sure you know whether or not the package you get will include automatic opening as well.
My main concern with these is whether or not they have an override. I don't know if ours do and it probably varies by manufacturer. If someone has something going on in a fume hood and wants it to stay closed, I wouldn't want someone else to walk past and have it raise automatically. This could include the case of a significant spill when they are waiting for us to arrive. In those cases an automatic opener could pose a hazard. Even if an override is present that doesn't mean people will use it, or even know how to. Furthermore, auto openers will always raise to the maximum 18" or whatever that particular hood is set for, rather than the appropriate minimum opening for the user's needs. These features could lead to complacency with regard to proper fume hood use, which is already an ongoing issue in many institutions.
Automatic closing is probably a good safety feature but be cautious about what you're really getting. Fortunately in our case those hoods are in generally lower-risk biological labs. Had they been installed in our synthetic chemistry labs I would be much more concerned, at least regarding the auto opening.
-Erik
Dartmouth College EHS
[Cross posting to IH/Lab Safety and ACS DCHAS]
The architect and lab-planner consultants for an energy research building on our campus have recommended the installation of fume hoods with automatic sash closers. Being an energy-research facility, there is obviously a focus on efficiency and sustainability in the design, and this is one of the proposed ways of making the labs greener.
Having no first-hand experience with this these, our office is concerned about the practicality of these in devices in an academic laboratory setting. Does anyone have any hoods like this on their campus?
Kimi Brown, ARM, NRCC-CHO, CSP
(she, her, hers)
Sr. Lab Safety Specialist/Chemical Hygiene Officer
215-746-6549 (Office)
215-651-0557 (Mobile/text)
EHRS is continuing to provide essential services with limited on-campus staff. Those of us who are not on campus are working remotely to continue much of our normal operations.
Environmental Health and Radiation Safety
University of Pennsylvania
3160 Chestnut St., Suite 400
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6287
