Engineering Controls: Fume Hoods and Other Safety Equipment

Follow the guidelines below for safe use of fume hoods and other safety equipment

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.