Hi Filberto,

Annual laboratory fume hood recertification is a Cal-OSHA requirement  https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/5154_1.html.  I would recommend contracting that job out and get an official annual certification report that you can put in an envelope and tape to the outside of the fume hood somewhere.  Technical Safety Services https://techsafety.com/ (TSS) does a good job.  In the SoCal area you can make arrangements with Michael Islas MIslas**At_Symbol_Here**techsafety.com. 

 

California put a stop to the “Students aren’t employees and therefore OSHA rules don’t apply” argument.  If the program doesn’t meet Cal-OSHA standards, then the California Education Dept will dis-accredit the program.  And if that happens, particularly if there’s an accident, then heads will roll as one of our local universities around here found out the hard way. 

Eric

 

Eric Clark, MS, CCHO, CHMM

Environmental & Occupational

Health & Safety Specialist

Los Angeles Trade Technical College

400 West Washington Blvd.

Los Angeles CA 90015

clarkej**At_Symbol_Here**lattc.edu

 

 

From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU> On Behalf Of Filiberto Palacios
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2025 2:27 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**Princeton.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Fume Hood Recertification

 

Good Afternoon All,

 

I am currently working on a plan to recertify fume hoods in-house and was wondering if other institutions on this Listserv would be willing to share the following: (1) how many total air velocity measurements are averaged with the anemometer of choice? Is there a minimum your institution uses? 2) is there a depth into the fume hood which should be met for all measurements or would it be sufficient to take the measurements near the face of the fume hood? (3) what other measurements or qualitative testing is done to complete the recertification process? (I’ve seen that a smoke pencil is used to visually test the functionality of the fume hood). Please advise and thank you! 

Best,

Filiberto Palacios, MPH, CPH  |  Laboratory and Research Safety Officer
Division of Academic Affairs, Department of Biology and Chemistry, Azusa Pacific University
Azusa Pacific University PO Box 7000, Azusa, CA 91702-7000
(626) 815-6072 Ext. 6072  |  apu.edu

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

--- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org

--- For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org