Fume Cupboards – Why They Are Essential For Safe & Efficient Laboratories

Laboratories are environments where chemicals, volatile substances and potentially hazardous reactions are handled every day. To protect researchers, technicians and students, proper containment and ventilation are essential.

A fume cupboard is a specialised enclosure that captures and extracts hazardous fumes, vapours, and particles produced during experiments. By safely removing these contaminants from the workspace, fume cupboards:

• Maintain a safe working environment
• Support compliance with UK health and safety regulations

Whether used in universities, schools, research facilities, or industrial laboratories, the right fume cupboard improves safety, efficiency, and environmental performance.

What Are Fume Cupboards?

Fume cupboards are ventilated enclosures designed to protect laboratory users by drawing air away from the operator and exhausting it through an extraction system for safe dispersal to atmosphere (ducted fume cupboards), or through HEPA/Carbon filtration and returning it the lab (recirculating fume cupboards).

Key points:

• Airflow across the sash opening creates a protective barrier between the user and the chemicals within the fume cupboard
• Modern systems are tested to recognised standards such as BS EN 14175, BS EN 17242, CLEAPSS G9 and HSE HSG258
• They help laboratories maintain compliance with workplace safety legislation and guidelines

For further guidance on laboratory safety standards and ventilation, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides comprehensive resources for UK laboratories.

How Fume Cupboards Can Improve Laboratory Safety

Containment Of Hazardous Fumes

Fume cupboards capture and contain airborne contaminants during experiments, preventing hazardous fumes from escaping into the laboratory environment.

Physical Barrier

The sliding glass sash provides a physical barrier between the user and the experiment. It is typically made from toughened safety glass and features counterbalanced mechanisms that allow safe positioning at different heights.

Fire and Hazard Control

Some fume cupboards integrate fire suppression systems to prevent the spread of fire in the event of a chemical reaction. This protection is particularly important in research laboratories handling highly reactive substances.

Room Conditions

Fume cupboards can help maintain air changes within the laboratory, ensuring a safe and comfortable working environment. They also help maintain negative pressure relative to surrounding areas, so that any accidental chemical leak is contained within the lab.

Storage Cabinet Extraction

Many fume cupboards are fitted with integrated chemical storage cabinets. These cabinets are typically connected to the fume cupboard’s extraction system to provide continuous 24-hour ventilation, preventing fumes from escaping and avoiding dangerous vapour build-up.

Airflow Monitors and Alarms

Modern fume cupboards are equipped with airflow monitors and alarm systems that continuously measure the extraction rate. If airflow drops below a safe level, the alarm alerts laboratory staff immediately. This ensures that any reduction in containment is detected before it becomes a hazard, helping to prevent exposure to harmful fumes and maintain compliance with safety standards. Many airflow monitors also include digital displays that show real-time airflow data, providing additional reassurance and enabling preventative maintenance.

Integrated Services – Sinks and Gas Connections

Fume cupboards are typically fitted with sinks, water, and gas services to suit requirements. This allows hazardous chemicals and waste to be handled and disposed of safely within the fume cupboard itself, eliminating the need to transfer products or substances to another area of the laboratory, which reduces exposure risk and improves workflow efficiency.

Key Features Of Modern Fume Cupboards

Today’s laboratories require equipment that is not only safe but also efficient and durable. High quality fume cupboards are therefore designed with several important features:

Durable Materials

Many modern fume cupboards use materials designed to withstand aggressive chemicals and harsh laboratory environments. Uniquely to the UK, Fumair’s AeroExcel range of fume cupboards feature one-piece moulded  use glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) fascias and chambers, which provides excellent chemical resistance, strength and longevity.

High Performance Containment

Effective containment is essential to prevent exposure to hazardous fumes. Advanced airflow designs and moulded chamber shapes can help improve airflow patterns and reduce turbulence inside the cupboard.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is becoming increasingly important in laboratory design. Systems such as variable air volume (VAV) controls adjust the airflow depending on the sash opening, helping reduce energy consumption without compromising safety.

Customisable Designs

Different laboratories have different needs, which is why fume cupboards are available in a variety of configurations. These include bench-top, walk-in and step-in models, allowing laboratories to choose the most suitable option for their workspace and processes!

Choosing the Right Fume Cupboard for Your Laboratory

Selecting the right fume cupboard is critical to ensuring both safety and long-term performance. The correct specification will depend on the application, the substances being handled, and the overall laboratory design.

Applicable Standards and Type Of Fume Cupboard

Different types of fume cupboards are designed for specific applications and are tested to different standards. Selecting the correct type is essential to ensure both safety and suitability for the intended use.

• Ducted Laboratory Fume Cupboards – Ducted laboratory fume cupboards are designed, built and tested to the standards of BS EN 14175 and extract contaminated air safely to atmosphere via a dedicated extract system. They are highly versatile and suitable for use with a wide range of chemicals and processes, making them the preferred choice for most laboratories.
• School Fume Cupboards – School fume cupboards are typically designed for use with lower volumes and concentrations of chemicals, or substances considered less hazardous. They are designed, built and tested to CLEAPSS G9 guidance and often feature clear side and rear panels to allow demonstration and visibility for teaching purposes.
• Radioactive Fume Cupboards – Radioactive fume cupboards are designed to BS EN 14175 part 8 specifically for work involving radioactive isotopes. They typically feature stainless steel chambers for ease of decontamination and are constructed to support heavy lead shielding. These fume cupboards often operate at higher face velocities than standard laboratory fume cupboards to ensure enhanced containment.
• Recirculating (Filtration) Fume Cupboards – Recirculating fume cupboards filter contaminated air and return it to the laboratory, rather than extracting it externally. They are designed, built and tested to the requirements of BS EN 17242, which recently superseded BS 7989.  They are often used where installing ductwork is impractical or cost-prohibitive. However, they are not suitable for high-volume or high-toxicity applications, and their effectiveness depends heavily on correct filter selection. Filters are also limited in the range of chemicals they can safely handle, and need to be regularly replaced at considerable expense.
• Walk-In Fume Cupboards – Walk-in fume cupboards are designed to BS EN 14175 for larger-scale work and are suitable for tall apparatus, pilot plant equipment, or distillation rigs. They provide greater internal space and accessibility but require careful airflow design to ensure safe and effective containment across the larger opening.Face Velocity and Variable Air Volume (VAV) Systems – Correct face velocity is essential for effective containment. If airflow is too low, the ability of the fume cupboard to contain hazardous fumes may be compromised;  if too high, excessive turbulence can reduce containment performance and compromise safety.

Face Velocity and Variable Air Volume (VAV) Systems

Correct face velocity is essential for effective containment. If airflow is too low, the ability of the fume cupboard to contain hazardous fumes may be compromised;  if too high, excessive turbulence can reduce containment performance and compromise safety.

Optimising face velocity is therefore a balance between safety and efficiency. Lower face velocities reduce the volume of air extracted from the laboratory, which can provide significant energy savings where appropriate for the application.

For installations with multiple ducted fume cupboards, variable air volume (VAV) systems should be considered. These systems automatically adjust the extract airflow in response to sash position, significantly reducing the volume of air extracted when the sash is lowered. This can deliver substantial energy savings while maintaining safe operating conditions.

Materials and Chemical Resistance

The materials used in construction must be suitable for the chemicals being handled. For example, systems exposed to aggressive chemicals may require highly durable materials such as GRP or specialist liners to ensure long-term performance and resistance to corrosion. All Fumair fume cupboards are available with a wide range of materials of construction to suit their purpose.

Installation, Integration, and Maintenance

A ducted fume cupboard is only as effective as the extraction system it is connected to. Proper design and integration of the complete system, including fans, ductwork, and controls, are essential to ensure safe, reliable, and compliant operation. Installing a fume cupboard is not simply a matter of placing equipment in a laboratory; the entire extraction system must work as a fully coordinated unit to maintain safe airflow and meet regulatory requirements.

Many fume cupboard manufacturers subcontract the installation of their systems and have limited involvement with the extract system. While this approach can be acceptable, it often results in responsibility being divided across multiple parties, making it more difficult to diagnose and resolve performance issues if the system does not operate as intended.

For this reason, it is often beneficial to work with a supplier that can provide a complete, end-to-end solution – including design, manufacture, installation, testing, and ongoing maintenance. At Fumair, we offer this integrated approach, providing a single point of responsibility and ensuring the system performs as a fully coordinated solution.

The location of the supplier should also be considered. When servicing, maintenance, or replacement parts are required, having a provider that can respond quickly and efficiently can make a significant difference to downtime and operational reliability.

Need Advice On Fume Cupboards?

Choosing the right fume cupboard is essential for maintaining a safe and compliant laboratory environment. From design and manufacturing to installation and testing, having the right expertise ensures your system performs reliably and protects laboratory users.

At Fumair, we specialise in high quality laboratory fume cupboards tailored to the needs of laboratories across the UK. If you’re planning a new installation or upgrading your existing equipment, our team can help you find the right solution.

Get in touch today, and one of the Fumair team will be more than happy to help you find the right fume cupboard for you, or if you’d prefer to get additional information on our laboratory fume cupboards, then please visit our website!

FAQs About Fume Cupboards

What is the purpose of a fume cupboard?

A fume cupboard protects laboratory users by capturing and extracting hazardous fumes, vapours and particles generated during experiments.

What is the difference between a fume cupboard and a fume hood?

The terms are often used interchangeably. In the UK, “fume cupboard” is the more commonly used term, while “fume hood” is widely used in other regions, such as the USA.

How often should fume cupboards be tested?

In many laboratories, fume cupboards should be inspected and tested at least once every 14 months to ensure they meet safety and performance standards.

Can fume cupboards be customised?

Yes. Many manufacturers offer bespoke designs with different sizes, materials and airflow systems to suit specific laboratory applications, please get in contact with the Fumair team today and we can discuss this further!

Are fume cupboards energy efficient?

Modern fume cupboards can be highly energy efficient, especially when equipped with technologies such as variable air volume controls that adjust airflow based on usage.