Hi Jack,

We have the vertical sashes (can also be used horizontally to put larger equipment such as rotary evaporators into the hood)  at our university and in the past, my old research lab had horizontal sashes only.

I recommend our students and faculty to use the vertical sashes because you can put one piece of the sash in front of your body, so only your arms go around and into the hood.  The torso does not have any exposure as opposed to the horizontal sashes.  It adds an extra level of protection.  Ours have 4 panels and you can move them around.

I am happy to send photos or clarify if that would be helpful,

Shannon

SHANNON C. NEPHEW, 

MS, CSM, CCHO

Chemical Hygiene Officer, Hudson Hall Science Complex Building Manager

Laboratory Safety Professional

Hudson Hall 317

101 Broad Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901

(o) 518-593-9612

plattsburgh.edu

    

On Fri, Apr 3, 2026 at 10:43 AM Jack Reidy <0000233ca1fd2102-dmarc-request**At_Symbol_Here**lists.princeton.edu> wrote:

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.

 

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