To all - We don't have any gas cylinders attached to fume hood sashes, but 
would think that sash integrity needs to be maintained in order to have 
optimal airflow into the hood, e.g. the absence of the foil can result in 
fumes coming back out into the lab.
Regarding the issue of cylinders themselves, we had a recent corporate 
safety audit with the finding that compressed gas cylinders shall be 
removed from operating lab areas., particularly flammable gases. Has 
anybody had any experiences with having to install a stand-alone / 
external gas dispensing facility to all lab users? And........... still 
maintain gas purity, dryness, proper instrument operating conditions, 
etc.? Particularly those of you located in northern states?
Thank you.
John


Ralph Stuart  
Sent by: DCHAS-L Discussion List 
07/11/2006 04:58 PM
Please respond to
Ralph Stuart 

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Subject
[DCHAS-L] Fume hood sashes




A recent survey of our chemistry building's fume hoods found at least
50% of the front edge air foils had been removed, presumably by the
occupants. It appears that most of them were removed in order to
attach gas cylinders to the front of the hoods.

I understand how bad an idea this is from a safety and aerodynamics
point of view, but I wonder if this high rate of "user modification"
is trying to tell us something? Are the users likely to be better off
with the air foils removed despite the consequent decrease in
containment? Or is this simply ignorance on the part of the fume hood
users?

Any comments appreciated.

- Ralph

Ralph Stuart, CIH
Environmental Safety Manager
University of Vermont
Environmental Safety Facility
667 Spear St. Burlington, VT  05405

rstuart**At_Symbol_Here**uvm.edu
fax: (802)656-5407

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