Hoods & Laboratory

Laboratories rely on specialized ventilation

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Laboratories rely
on specialized ventilation

Laboratories rely on specialized ventilation and containment equipment to safely capture hazardous fumes, vapors, dust, and airborne contaminants. Different applications require different containment solutions, which is why understanding the various types of fume hoods is important when designing a safe, compliant, and efficient laboratory environment. PSA Laboratory Furniture designs, installs, and certifies complete laboratory fume hood systems for research facilities, chemical laboratories, pharmaceutical operations, educational institutions, industrial testing environments, and manufacturing facilities across the United States. From walk-in containment systems to snorkel exhaust arms and airfoil bypass hoods, our team helps laboratories choose the right solution for safety, workflow efficiency, and long-term performance. Our American-made laboratory fume hoods and containment systems are designed to meet demanding industry requirements while supporting flexible laboratory layouts and future expansion needs.Laboratories rely on specialized ventilation and containment equipment to safely capture hazardous fumes, vapors, dust, and airborne contaminants. Different applications require different containment solutions, which is why understanding the various types of fume hoods is important when designing a safe, compliant, and efficient laboratory environment. PSA Laboratory Furniture designs, installs, and certifies complete laboratory fume hood systems for research facilities, chemical laboratories, pharmaceutical operations, educational institutions, industrial testing environments, and manufacturing facilities across the United States. From walk-in containment systems to snorkel exhaust arms and airfoil bypass hoods, our team helps laboratories choose the right solution for safety, workflow efficiency, and long-term performance. Our American-made laboratory fume hoods and containment systems are designed to meet demanding industry requirements while supporting flexible laboratory layouts and future expansion needs.

Types of Laboratory Fume Hoods

Different laboratories require different containment strategies depending on the chemicals used, heat loads generated, equipment size, and airflow requirements. PSA Laboratory Furniture offers several specialized laboratory fume hood systems designed for a wide range of laboratory applications.
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Airfoil Bypass Fume Hoods

Airfoil bypass hoods are among the most commonly used types of fume hoods in research, pharmaceutical, industrial, and educational laboratories. Their bypass design helps maintain stable airflow as the sash position changes, improving containment performance and user safety during laboratory operations.

Learn More About Airfoil Bypass Fume Hoods
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Walk-In Fume Hoods

Walk-in fume hoods are designed to accommodate oversized apparatus, pilot plant systems, drums, and large-scale testing equipment. These laboratory fume hood systems provide full frontal access while maintaining proper containment and ventilation performance for demanding laboratory environments.

Explore Walk-In Fume Hoods
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Canopy Fume Hoods

Canopy hoods are commonly used for exhausting heat, steam, and non-hazardous vapors generated by laboratory equipment and industrial processes. Unlike enclosed containment systems, canopy hoods operate above the work area and are best suited for applications where complete enclosure is not required.

View Canopy Fume Hoods
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Snorkel Exhaust Systems

Snorkel exhaust arms provide localized source capture directly at the work area. These flexible extraction systems are commonly used to remove fumes, vapors, odors, and particulates from specific laboratory processes while minimizing exposure risks.

View Canopy Fume Hoods

Choosing the Right Laboratory Fume Hood System

Selecting the proper laboratory fume hood system depends on several operational and safety considerations. Different containment systems are engineered for different laboratory workflows, chemical applications, and ventilation requirements.

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Factors to consider include:

  • Chemical compatibility
  • Heat and vapor generation
  • Equipment dimensions
  • Airflow and face velocity requirements
  • User accessibility needs
  • Laboratory layout and workflow
  • Compliance standards and certification requirements
  • Energy efficiency goals
  • Future laboratory expansion plans

PSA Laboratory Furniture works with laboratories across multiple industries to design containment solutions that balance safety, compliance, and operational efficiency.

Common Fume Hood Types Comparison

Fume Hood Type Best Application Primary Benefit
Airfoil Bypass General Chemical Laboratory Work Stable Airflow During Sash Movement
Walk-In Fume Hood Large Apparatus And Pilot Systems Oversized Equipment Access
Canopy Fume Hood Heat And Steam Exhaust Open Overhead Ventilation
Snorkel Exhaust System Localized Extraction Applications Flexible Source Capture

Fume Hood Face Velocity & Safety Standards

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Fume Hood Face Velocity & Safety Standards

Proper airflow and face velocity are critical to maintaining containment performance in all laboratory fume hood systems. Laboratories should routinely inspect, test, and certify fume hoods to maintain safe operating conditions and comply with industry standards. PSA Laboratory Furniture provides testing and certification services that help laboratories maintain reliable performance and regulatory compliance.

Midwest Fume Hood Testing Services

How to Improve Fume Hood Performance & Safety

Maintaining proper airflow and safe operating procedures can improve containment performance and extend the lifespan of your laboratory ventilation equipment.

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Best Practices Include:

  • Keep the hood free from unnecessary clutter
  • Close the sash when the hood is not in use
  • Keep the sash positioned as low as possible during operation
  • Inspect systems regularly for airflow obstruction
  • Limit drafts caused by open doors and windows
  • Schedule regular testing and recertification
  • Train laboratory personnel on proper hood usage

Proper maintenance and periodic certification help laboratories maintain safer working environments while supporting compliance with laboratory ventilation standards.

Laboratory Fume Hood Installation & Certification Services

PSA Laboratory Furniture delivers American-made chemical fume hoods and provides installation services designed to reduce project delays and improve laboratory efficiency. Our team designs laboratories as complete systems, helping clients determine the ideal placement and configuration of their laboratory fume hood systems for safe operation and long-term performance.

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We have extensive experience outfitting laboratories across a wide range of industries, including:

  • Research laboratories
  • Pharmaceutical facilities
  • Educational laboratories
  • Industrial testing facilities
  • Manufacturing operations
  • Chemical processing environments
  • Healthcare laboratories

View some of our latest work around the world in our project gallery.

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Additional Laboratory Containment Systems

Many laboratories require multiple containment and ventilation solutions to support different workflows and safety requirements.

Additional containment products include:

  • Laminar Flow Benches
  • Biological Safety Cabinets
  • Ductless Fume Hoods
  • Clean Rooms

PSA Laboratory Furniture helps laboratories integrate containment systems into cohesive laboratory environments that prioritize safety, functionality, and long-term adaptability.

Laboratory Furniture & Modular Lab Systems

In addition to types of fume hoods, PSA Laboratory Furniture designs modular steel laboratory furniture systems that provide durability, flexibility, and long-term performance.

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Our modular systems include:

  • Steel laboratory casework
  • Laboratory countertops
  • Metal laboratory cabinets
  • Hardwood laboratory cabinets
  • Flexible laboratory systems
  • Laboratory sinks and accessories
  • Safety storage cabinets
  • Mobile laboratory workstations

Steel laboratory furniture offers excellent durability while allowing laboratories to adapt layouts as operational needs evolve. Build your research, testing, or chemical laboratory with PSA Laboratory Furniture’s custom laboratory design and installation services.

Lab Design Quote

Get a customized lab design quote with a detailed CAD drawing in 48 hours. Let us help you create a functional and efficient laboratory layout.

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PSA Installs Fume Hoods for Any Industry

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PSA Installs Fume Hoods for Any Industry

A properly functioning fume hood is critical for maintaining laboratory safety and regulatory compliance. Without adequate ventilation and containment, hazardous fumes and airborne contaminants can quickly compromise laboratory environments and personnel safety. PSA Laboratory Furniture designs and installs laboratory fume hood systems for facilities throughout the United States and internationally. Our experience across multiple industries allows us to create customized containment solutions that align with operational workflows, industry regulations, and long-term laboratory goals The better your fume hood performance, the safer and more efficient your laboratory environment becomes.

Fume Hood Types FAQs

A fume hood protects people from hazardous chemical vapors by pulling contaminated air away from the user and exhausting it outside the building, but it does not protect the samples or materials inside from contamination. A biological safety cabinet works differently, using HEPA filtration to protect the user, the sample, and sometimes the surrounding environment simultaneously, which makes it suited for biological work like handling infectious agents or cell cultures. Fume hoods are built for chemical vapor and fume containment, while biological safety cabinets are designed around sterility and biohazard control. PSA Laboratory Furniture supplies fume hoods engineered specifically for chemical containment across research and industrial settings.
Service Areas

PSA Laboratory Furniture Works with Companies Across
the Country

PSA Laboratory Furniture provides laboratory furniture to companies across the United States. Our centralized geographic location allows efficient project coordination regardless of your company’s location. PSA’s goal is to respond to your laboratory's needs promptly nationwide.