Appendix No 1 Fume cupboard Requirements
General Fume cupboard Employers Requirements:
BS/EN14175
All general fume cupboard installations must be designed in accordance with BS/EN
14175.
All fume cupboards must be connected to dedicated fume extract systems via a fully
seam welded uPVC/Polypropylene/Stainless steel ducting system, or other types as
appropriate to suit use of system.
Where exposure to ultra-violet degradation is experienced, ductwork, fan housing
and motor assembly must be treated to avoid degradation from sunlight and weather.
Fume cupboard airflow types:

All new fume cupboards to be designed to a face velocity design to be no
greater 0.3 m/s average face velocity at 500mm sash height, using purpose
designed low flow type fume cupboards only. (0.5m/s face velocity designed
fume cupboard with a reduced flow will not be permitted)

All general fume cupboard system designs must incorporate the ability to run
the 0.3 m/s fume cupboard at a face velocity in a range of 0.2 m/s to 0.5m/s
regardless of type of cupboard. All cupboards will be commissioned to their
correct velocities by use of variable speed devices (invertors) and not by
damper adjustments. Dampers to be provided for fine tuning only (e.g. < +/
5%)

Where multiple fumes cupboards are connected to a common extract duct
(not recommended) balancing dampers will be provided for fine-tune
balancing only. 1All velocity/volume control to be via VSD’s.

Under-bench Solvent cabinets must have separate extract systems (one per
room) and not be part of individual fume cupboard installations.

‘Supportive Flow' technology or its equivalent will be the minimum
requirement for all University fume cupboard installations.
Where risk assessment of processes precludes the use of Supportive flow fume
cupboard technology, the Chair of the Fume cupboard Working Group and an
Estates Maintenance Engineering Services representative, must give written
authority for designers to use 'non-supportive flow' fume cupboard equipment.
This will be after the appropriate consultation with the Head(s) of department(s)
concerned. Similar written authority will be required where risk assessment of
process requires flow rates in excess of 0.3 m/s. An appropriate request form for
this action will be required to be completed. This will account for both Safety and
Energy issues associated with non-supportive flow, and higher flow rate
cupboards. A charge may be made for the additional energy use over and above
0.3 m/s, based upon actual flow rates and hours of use.
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Containment, Spillage and Robustness

Fume cupboard minimum containment factors must be at least 2.1 x 103 for
all new installations. The minimum containment factor of 2.1 x 103 will be
expected at both 0.5m/s and at 0.3 m/s face velocities at 500mm sash height
and at 900mm full face sash opening height. These will be ratified once
commissioned by an independent assessor.

Spillage testing to BS/EN 14175 must be carried out and results must show
that there is less than 0.01ppm spillage of SF6 at all test positions at 0.3m/s
AND 0.5m/s at sash heights of 500mm, 900mm and with the horizontal sash
slid fully sideways open and vertical sash fully closed position

On-site robustness tests in accordance with EN 14175 shall be included for
all new and recommissioned fume cupboards. Type-testing will be provided
as a supplementary certificate but alone will not be sufficient without the onsite testing.
Controls

All fume cupboards to be complete with auxiliary no-volt relays for Run, start
and fault signals and these must be connected back to the University Building
Energy Management Systems.

All fume cupboards to be complete with energy saving auto-sash closing
devices and 0-10v control signalling to the VSD BeMS controller to maximise
energy savings when the fume cupboard is unattended and left running.
All sashes shall be vertically opening types and in addition will have a 50:50
split horizontally opening sash ability for the entire sash height.

Fume cupboard fans must NOT be fed from HVAC or BEMS control panels
but must have their own dedicated supplies to ensure maintenance on
HVAC/BEMS panels can be carried out without compromising the fume
cupboard supplies.

Fume cupboard enable signalling cable must be directly wired to each
corresponding motor and reliance upon comm’s must not be used.
Roof Ductwork
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All ductwork to have protection against mechanical damage
Any positions where ductwork traverses roof must have purpose made
“bridge” walkways to prevent personnel stepping on ductwork.
Ductwork is to be dedicated for fume cupboards and should not incorporate
general extract.
No fire dampers will be fitted in fume cupboard extract ducts. 1 hour rated
intumescent fire protection wrap and collars will be used where ducts pass
through fire barrier/ fire zoned areas.
Flexible ductwork connection to fan must be chemically resistant to the same
specification as the ductwork.
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Lightning arrestor tape to be fitted to each outlet terminal to terminate within
150mm of top of outlet.
Outlets to terminate a minimum of 5 metres above finished floor level.
Removal cap air test points to be provided within the ductwork on the suction
and discharge side of fan, each within 1 metre of the fan.
Terminal outlet to be fitted with concentric cone reducing piece on top of the
terminal to ensure a minimum face velocity of 10m/s is maintained.
Specialist cupboards that require different ductwork materials and design must be
separately approved by the fume cupboard working group and via individual risk
assessment. (e.g. radio-isotope and very high risk containment)
Fume cupboard extract Motor:

Class IE3 (EFF0) high efficiency three phase motor to BSEN60034-30 to a
minimum of IP65X with Variable Speed Device (VSD) and mains combined
Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI)/ Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) filter
for each and every VSD.
 Motor to be installed on anti-vibration mounts
 All motors to be sited in such a way to be immediately adjacent to the outlet
and keeping positive pressure ductwork in atmosphere wherever possible.
 Fan – Direct drive to motor via coupled connection to avoid the need to
remove impellor. Belt drive connections between motor and fan not permitted.
 In-line fans will not be generally used. Where no other option is available and
approved by the fume cupboard working group, bifurcated fans will be used.
 Fume cupboard to be connected to an individual dedicated extract system
and not shared system wherever possible.
 VSD manufacturer to be used will be Trend with (TMN interface card).
Notes:
IE1(EFF2), IE2 (EFF1) (to BSEN60034-30) or lesser standard motors are
not permitted and must be removed and replaced at the contractors cost
if found on site
Maximum length of run from VSD device to motor must be indicated.
All cabling from VSD to motor must be screened for EMI/RFI
VSD to be located within plant space and not on roof or adjacent to its
own fume cupboard in a dedicated ventilated enclosure provided cable
runs between VSD and motor does not exceed 20 metres.
Fans and motor sizes must match to ensure motor is correctly rated to run
between 30% and 100% full load speed rating.
Motor Isolation:

All poles to be isolated with lockable isolator to a minimum of IP65X
immediately adjacent to each motor.
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Isolator to be provided to VSD
Labelling:
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An identical unique fume cupboard number must be allocated by Estates
Division.
Each fume cupboard number will be labelled on both the fume cupboard itself
and on the motor isolator on the roof.
Labels must be permanently fixed and not self adhesive.
All mains and control cables will be fully labelled both on outer sheathing and
on individual cores to detail location, panel, way No and cable marker
number.
Fume cupboard sizes:
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Range of sizes to be in 300mm modular format and will include 1200mm,
1500mm, 1800mm and 2100mm
Low headroom versions required
Make-up Air
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The entire supply and extract systems must be designed to provide the
correct volumes and airflow patterns to suite the fume cupboard
requirements.
Air supply air grilles in fume cupboard areas must be of the laminar flow type
with a maximum face velocity not exceeding 0.5 m/s and must not be within
1.5 metre zone of the face of any fume cupboard installation
Ceiling void for plenum usage must be avoided wherever possible and fully
ducted systems are preferred. Where ceiling void plenums cannot be
avoided, the plenum must not traverse over the top of the fume cupboards
and should not be within 1.5metre of any fume cupboard installation footprint.
Make-up air design must be agreed in writing with the potential fume
cupboard manufacturer(s) prior to going out to tender.
Fume cupboard Construction:
Construction of frame must adequately show contrasting colours to ensure visually
impaired personnel can distinguish frame from handles, etc.
Colours:

white - sikkens Colormap 439 A1
- carcasses
- front panels
- parts of panels- aluminium parts
- fume cupboard panel, top
- special storage units

grey
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platine grey - RAL 7037
- sikkens Colormap 498 C3
- worktops
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- handles
- sash frames
Construction
Panel external carcasses
- Steel or Aluminium
- 10mm minimum Water resistant
Medium Density Particle board lined
with 6mm solid laminate and all edges
sealed.
Internal fume cupboard compartment bases (dependant upon Fume cupboard
useage):
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10mm minimum raised edge on all sides
thickness minimum 33mm
Types available
- stoneware
- solid ceramic base
- Solid Laminate (Trespa)
- polypropylene
- 316 grade stainless steel
N.B. – regardless of base type, all drainage outlets must be located in the bases and
must be recessed with at least 1mm recess from lowest part of base to prevent any
liquids from being retained from spillages/wash-down processes.
Side panel services spines
Each side panel services spine shall be capable of housing a minimum of 4 No single
socket outlets, 6 No mechanical valve outlets, 1 No 75mm double-grommetted, fully
ducted service hole (into each respective internal side of the fume cupboard) and
indicators as necessary.
Internal fume cupboard compartment sides (dependant upon Fume cupboard
useage):

Types available
- stoneware
- glazed walling
- 6mm minimum thickness solid laminate
- 12mm minimum thickness
polypropylene
- 316 grade stainless steel
Note: Faced particle board of any type will not be permitted.
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Sash Glass
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All to be Kite marked tempered safety glass (TSG) – clear in all cases.
- 1 front frame with fixed pane
of tempered safety glass (TSG)
- 1 vertical, weight-relieving sash with double anti-slip device
and two horizontal sliding panes of tempered
safety glass (TSG)
- Hydrofluoric acid usage circumstances may require special sash materials.
Fume cupboard electrical supply.

Each fume cupboard shall be supplied via a dedicated 32A supply from a
local fume cupboard fuseboard. This supply shall terminate of the front of
each fume cupboard top valance to the main isolator of the fuseboard which
must be located in an accessible position without the need to remove any
panels.

The fume cupboard manufacturer shall supply and install an eight module
single phase and neutral metalclad flush mounted fuseboard complete with
M9 rated miniature circuit breakers.
The fuseboard will be manufactured by one of the following: MEMSHIELD
(Eton Group), Square D or Merlin Gerin (Schneider Group), Hagar or
Crabtree, all complete with integral isolators
The outgoing ways shall be provided for the following:Module No’s 1 & 2 63A double pole isolator
Module No’s 3 & 4 16A 30mA RCBO outlet feeding 1 No fume cupboard
radial circuit to RHS of cupboard with 4 No 13A single high integrity earth
double pole switched socket outlets installed in the RHS side services spine
only.
Module No’s 5 & 6 16A 30mA RCBO outlet feeding 1 No fume cupboard
radial circuit to LHS of cupboard with 4 No 13A single high integrity earth
double pole switched socket outlets installed in the LHS side services spine
only.
Module No 7 10A MCB feeding fume cupboard controller
Module No 8 6A MCB feeding fume cupboard lighting.
Socket outlets radial circuit:
From each 16A RCBO, the fume cupboard manufacturer shall connect a
Honeywell MK corrugated PVC-U conduit complete with nylon adaptors to
supply a dedicated LSF/PVC/Cu 6491Y singles in conduit installation using
2.5mm2 radial circuit + 2.5mm2 dual earthing conductors to BS7671 latest
edition.

All socket outlets will be of the Honeywell MK logic plus series high integrity
earth double pole switched 1 gang type. Sockets must be installed in side
pillars and not in the front of the open hood area to prevent back-wash
turbulence from users.

Flexible cables will not be permitted.

Fume cupboard Lighting
Cabling from fume cupboard fuseboard will be wired in 1.5mm2 LSF/PVC/Cu
singles (Brown – live phase, Blue – neutral phase, green/yellow – earth) in
Honeywell MK corrugated PVC-U conduit from 6A outgoing MCB. Flexible
cables will not be permitted.
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Luminaires to be of the high frequency electronic type or LED dimmable only.
Linear fittings will be used throughout with T5 triphosphor tubes only.
LED lighting may be considered as an option.
PL, PLC or 2D lamps will not be permitted.
Tube/fitting changes must be possible without accessing internal working
space of fume cupboard to avoid the need for decontamination processes.
Lighting level of 500 Lux with uniformity in excess of 0.95 and low glare factor
required.
Luminaires not installed to this specification will cause the fume cupboard
installation to be rejected

Any other wiring will be LSF/PVC/Cu singles (Brown – live phase, Blue –
neutral phase, green/yellow – earth) in Honeywell MK corrugated PVC-U
conduit.

Fume cupboard controllers to incorporate:On/off switch c/w on LED indicator.
Sash high LED indicator and audible alarm (min 60dB(A) at 1 metre).
Low flow/flow failure LED indicator and audible alarm (min 60dB(A) at 1
metre.
Timed Sash mute button with LED indicator to show mute in operation.
(timer to be engineer adjustable from 5 seconds to 10 minutes)
Audible alarm when in operation must be non-mutable except on dedicated
mute button. Note: - Alarm outlet must not be able to be blocked with any
form of compound – e.g. plasticine, Blue-tak® or similar.
Fume cupboard mechanical supplies.

All mechanical services to each cupboard must have individual, easily
accessible lockable isolation devices provided at the point of intake to each
cupboard.

All piped services connections from “mains” to cupboards will be installed in
non-flexible pipework, suitable bracketed to British standards/EN’sWater
services installation must comply with the WRaS approval scheme with all
fittings kite-marked and tested to the WRaS scheme requirements.

Flexible hose of any type will not be permitted.

All pipework will be end-feed soldered or brazed only. Compression or pushfit joints will not be permitted

Water services outlets must be directly over drain outlets to avoid flooding of
the fume cupboards.

All internal pipework in fume cupboards will also be installed in non-flexible
pipework throughout.

Mechanical services outlets will be installed in positions not to interfere with
the operations of the fume cupboard and will not be installed over access
points.
A List of approved Fume cupboard manufacturers will be supplied by Cardiff
University
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Testing/Commissioning
Independent testing and commissioning will follow the manufacturers own set-up
testing commissioning and must be witnessed by Cardiff University L.E.V. group
representatives.
Inclusion for face velocity tests, and on-site robustness tests in accordance with
EN 14175 shall be included for all new and recommissioned fume cupboards.
Type-testing at alone will not be sufficient.
Where new cupboards or material alterations are made in existing laboratories,
all fume cupboards in that laboratory must be recommissioned.
No fume cupboard can be put into service unless signed off in writing by the chair
or nominated representative of the University LEV group.
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