If you want to set up a new lab then you have to ensure that you are following all safety guidelines and regulations. A lab can give out toxic fumes from its experiments and jeopardise the health of the workers. Laminar flow hoods are essential in this regard and they can purify your lab’s air effectively. Hence, you should procure these systems in your lab. There are two main forms of laminar hoods: vertical and horizontal and in this article, you will learn more about them.
What is the main function of a laminar flow hood?
The laminar flow hood is essentially a safety equipment. It is mainly used for purifying air inside your lab. It can purify the air through its filters which neutralize all toxic and harmful chemical and particulate matter from the air inside your lab. It can also remove dangerous airborne microorganisms. Thus, your lab workers will not be at risk of inhaling contaminated air and they would be thoroughly protected from bad air. The lack of such devices will put the health of your workers at risk because toxic fumes and contaminated air may cause severe diseases and even fatalities if they were to breathe it in.
What are the two types of laminar flow hoods that are available?
Basically, you can find two primary types of the laminar flow hoods. These are the vertical laminar flow hoods and the horizontal flow hoods.
Vertical laminar flow hood
These laminar hoods will mainly channel the air inside your room through the use of specialised intake mechanisms. You will see a blower that would direct the air towards the HEPA air filters. These filters help to remove all the particulate matter from the air. Following this process, some of the filtered will get eliminated through the exhaust vents and would leave the lab completely. Once, the air from the lab is filtered by the HEPA then it will again flow back inside your room. Thus, the air inside the lab’s working environment shall always flow through in specific layers.
Horizontal laminar flow hoods
These laminar flow hoods have a design that is similar to worktop benches. Underneath their working surfaces, you can find a number of pre-installed filters that allow you to draw air from inside the room towards the HEPA. The HEPA shall consequently help in cycling the air smoothly over all of the working surface.
How can you use laminar flow hoods?
You may use a laminar flow hood for various types of applications as mentioned below:
- You may control and direct the air flow in various special care type units in hospital rooms in order to ensure that patients do not get exposed to any type of contaminants. For instance, a burn patient should not risk exposing himself or herself to contamination.
- You may control the air flow in the industrial sectors as the workers there can risk exposure to highly contagious airborne contaminants. The laminar flow hood can effectively stop such contaminants from getting emitted and affecting any patient.
You can buy both vertical and Horizontal laminar flow wall units from the market. These are easily available from both online and offline retailers. However, online suppliers will be able to provide you with better discounts and deals. You can also find more customization options with online suppliers. No matter which supplier you choose, remember to check their credentials first because it can ensure that you are getting genuine products.
Conclusion
It is essential that you should install a laminar flow hood inside your lab in order to safeguard your workers. A laminar flow hood can effectively protect your workers from breathing in toxic air by providing a constant flow of pure, fresh and clean air. There are primarily two types of laminar flow hoods: a vertical and a horizontal flow hood. Both these systems are efficient in their performance. These equipment can ensure that your lab’s working area is safe and free from various unhygienic and toxic substances. Some states make it mandatory for lab owners to install such flow hoods in their labs and industrial areas. You can get these equipment from both online and offline suppliers.
