Follow the guidelines below for safe use of fume hoods and other safety equipment
Fume Hoods: SOP Poster and PowerPoint
In general, laboratory fume hoods are required when using hazardous chemicals that are:
- Acutely toxic, carcinogenic, or have reproductive hazards
- Highly reactive
- Volatile (a substance that evaporates or sublimates readily at normal temperatures; e.g., solvents) or easily dispersible in air
- Substances with uncharacterized hazards or unknown toxicity
- Nanoparticles
- Substances with an offensive odor or a low odor threshold
Find the On/Off dial that is located on the wall in the lab
- The On/Off dial operates on a timer; it will automatically turn off the exhaust arm after 6 hours.
- Turn the On/Off dial clockwise to the desired amount of time, wait a few seconds until you hear (and feel) the exhaust arm start to pull air.
- Place the exhaust opening as close to the item as is feasible; loosen and tighten the articulating joints as needed.
- Make sure that the internal butterfly valve is in the open position (see photo). You can adjust this butterfly valve to increase/decrease exhaust flow.
- Before using an autoclave you MUST receive hands-on training.
- Contact the Biology Stockroom Manager for training.
- Pans, bags, gloves, tape, and other autoclave specific items are located in drawers #2, 3, 4 (RNS 396) or under the whiteboard (RNS 441).
- Fill out the Autoclave Use Sheet every time the unit is run. The sheet is located on a clipboard next to the unit.
- Problems? Contact the Biology Stockroom Manager directly with autoclave concerns/repair needs, etc.
- Avoid using the autoclave after 5pm unless it is absolutely necessary.
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