What Is The Shutdown Operation Process for A Fume Hood After Use?

Turn off the experimental equipment

Cleaning and storage: Before closing the fume hood, the experimental equipment inside the fume hood should be cleaned first. For instance, if glassware such as beakers and test tubes are used in the experiment, the residues inside the instruments should be properly disposed of. For example, the waste liquid should be poured into the designated waste liquid collection container to prevent the residues from drying up or reacting inside the instruments. After the cleaning is completed, neatly store the instruments in the designated position inside the fume hood for the next use.

Turn off the power of the equipment: For experimental equipment with power switches, such as stirrers and heating plates, their power should be turned off one by one. When turning off the power, follow the operation specifications of the equipment and avoid directly pulling the power cord. For instance, when turning off the agitator, first adjust the stirring speed to the lowest level, and then turn off the power switch. This can reduce the impact on the equipment and extend its service life.

Turn off the fume hood lighting system

Check the lighting status: After confirming that there is no need for experimental operations inside the fume hood and that all experimental equipment has been properly placed, observe whether the lighting system is still on. If the lighting is not turned off, it will not only cause energy waste but also may affect the heat dissipation and service life of the equipment inside the fume hood.

Operation off: The lighting system of most fume hoods can be turned off through the control panel. Find the lighting switch button on the control panel. Press this button and the lighting system will stop working immediately. If the control panel has a brightness adjustment function, before turning off the lighting system, you can first set the brightness to the lowest level and then press the off button to reduce the impact on the lamps.

Turn off the fan of the fume hood

Confirm the absence of harmful gases: Before turning off the fan, make sure that no harmful gases are produced or remain in the fume hood. It can be judged by observing the reaction during the experiment and detecting the gas concentration inside the fume hood, etc. For instance, if volatile organic solvents are used in the experiment, it is necessary to wait for a period of time to allow the fume hood to fully exhaust air and ensure that the odor of the solvent dissipates before turning off the fan.

Operation off: The fan of the fume hood usually also has a corresponding control switch, which is generally on the control panel. Press the fan off button and the fan will gradually stop running. During the process of the fan stopping operation, it is necessary to pay attention to observing whether there are any abnormal conditions inside the fume hood, such as unpleasant odors or smoke. If any abnormal situation occurs, the fan should be restarted immediately and the cause checked.

Close the fume hood door

Slowly close: Gently pull down the glass door of the fume hood to close it. During the closing process, it is important to move slowly and steadily to avoid excessive force that may damage the glass door or cause noise. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure that the glass door is completely closed and well sealed to prevent outside air from entering the fume hood and affecting the ventilation effect.

Check the sealing performance: After closing the glass door, you can gently shake it to check its sealing performance. If the glass door is found to be loose or not sealed tightly, it should be adjusted or repaired in time to ensure the normal use of the fume hood.

Clean the surface of the fume hood

Wipe off stains: Use a clean cloth and an appropriate cleaner to wipe the surface of the fume hood to remove stains, dust and other substances left during the experiment. For instance, for the countertop of a fume hood, a neutral cleaner can be used for wiping. Avoid using corrosive cleaners such as strong acids and strong alkalis to prevent damage to the countertop material.

Organize items: Sort out the miscellaneous items, documents, etc. placed on the surface of the fume hood to keep it clean and orderly. This not only enhances the overall aesthetic appeal of the laboratory but also makes it convenient to use the fume hood next time.

Recording and Inspection

Record the usage situation: After the fume hood is used, the usage situation of this fume hood can be recorded in the laboratory record book, including the experimental content, usage time, equipment operation status, etc. These records can provide references for subsequent experiments and also help to promptly identify problems existing in the fume hood.

Regular inspection: Although this use has ended, a comprehensive inspection of the fume hood should be carried out regularly, such as checking whether the ventilation ducts are unobstructed, whether the fan is operating normally, and whether the sealing strips are aged, etc. It is recommended to conduct a regular inspection once a month and a comprehensive maintenance every six months to ensure that the fume hood is always in good operating condition.