From:
000006c59248530b-dmarc-request**At_Symbol_Here**LISTS.PRINCETON.EDU
Subject:
Re: [DCHAS-L] Horizontal vs. vertical sashes
Date:
Apr 6, 2026 12:31 UTC
Reply-To:
ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Message-ID:
<00db01dcc5c1$3d52f880$b7f8e980$@verizon.net>
In-Reply-To:
<CABNxZ9cXq9vUpbgMydpuc_dhmTr-7pJtZk=jfnWaiFw4WbvdUw**At_Symbol_Here**mail.gmail.com>
Debbie
I have to disagree with most of your statements. We used horizontal versus vertical sashes for decades without any problems. The researchers easily leaned to reach around the door. In fact we found it much easier in many cases than trying to reach under a vertical door, particularly when the maximum design opening was small. (Common when facilities are short of exhaust.)
All our testing showed no credible issue with the gaps between the over lapping doors. We easily prevented removing the sashes by adequate training and enforcement. Moreover, we found that, unlike vertical sashes, horizontal sashes were not opened past their design limits frequently leading to poor capture. (Changing out a door was easily prevented and easily identified unlike issues with removing or illegally modifying a vertical sash stop.)
Horizontal sashes are very common in industry due to the significant energy savings. I suggest you evaluate these very viable alternatives. It may not be what you are used to but they work just as well, and much more efficiently, than vertical sashes.
Glad to discuss. Feel free to call me.
Richard Palluzi
Richard P Palluzi LLC
72 Summit Drive
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
rpalluzi**At_Symbol_Here**verizon.net
908-285-3782
www.pilotplants.us
https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardppalluzillc/
From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU> On Behalf Of Debbie Decker
Sent: Friday, April 3, 2026 12:18 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Horizontal vs. vertical sashes
Researchers using a hood with horizontal sliding sashes will shove the sashes out of their way (or pry them off entirely) and access their work without any barrier between the human and the work. Suggesting a worker reach around the sash to access their work is impractical can be unsafe. Additionally, gaps in the sash opening can compromise capture efficiency of the hood.
Vertical rising sashes maintain a barrier between the worker and the work and maintain efficient capture by naturally maintaining a limited sash opening. Stops and alarms are easier to install and maintain with a vertical rising sash.
The UCDavis design guide requires vertical rising sashes on fume hoods.
Happy to chat, if you wish.
Hi all,
A new PI joining our Chemistry Department is sharing a very strong preference for vertically-split fume hood sashes (i.e., ones that open side to side), saying that they’re safer. Is anyone aware of any studies on this, or have any other insights? Thanks!
Sincerely,
Jack Reidy (he/him)
Research Safety Specialist & Chemical Hygiene Officer
Environmental Health & Safety
Stanford University
484 Oak Road, Stanford, CA, 94305
Tel: (650) 497-7614
I acknowledge that the land on which I live and work is the ancestral and unceded land of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe. As an uninvited guest on these lands, I am a beneficiary of the ongoing displacement of the Ohlone people. I pay my respects to the Native peoples, past and present.
--- 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
