Basic Documentation
Table Of Contents
- Introduction
- Applicable Definitions (Alphabetical Listing)
- Laboratory Safety
- Hazard Assessment
- Chemical Hygiene Plan
- Chemical Hygiene Responsibilities
- Fume Hoods
- When Required & Safe Usage
- Gloveboxes:
- Face Velocity
- Face Velocity Setback
- Size & ADA Compliance
- CAV (Constant Air Volume) Bypass
- CAV (Constant Air Volume) Conventional
- VAV (Variable Air Volume)
- VAV Diversity
- Automatic Sash Closure
- Safe Operation of Sashes
- Accessories, Services and Explosion Protection
- Ductless
- Auxiliary Air
- (Special Purpose) Perchloric Acid
- Room Air Cross Currents
- Minimum Exhaust
- Monitoring
- Selection Criteria and Performance Specifications
- Laboratory Design & Fume Hood Implementation
- Maintenance
- Periodic Testing
- Test Procedures
- Signage and Recordkeeping
- Shutdown Procedures
- Evaluating CAV (Constant Air Volume) Systems
- Evaluating VAV (Variable Air Volume) Systems
- Biological Laboratories
- Biosafety Level 1
- Biosafety Level 2
- Biosafety Level 3
- Biosafety Level 4
- Ventilation for Biosafety Level 1
- Ventilation for Biosafety Level 2
- Ventilation for Biosafety Level 3
- Ventilation for Biosafety Level 4, Cabinet Laboratory
- Ventilation for Biosafety Level 4, Suit Laboratory
- Containment Levels - Canada
- Containment Levels and Ventilation Requirements: Canada
- Biological Safety Cabinets and Classifications
- Biosafety Cabinet Applications
- Biosafety Cabinets – Installation and Safe Usage Recommendations
- Biosafety Cabinets – Certification and Safe Usage - Canada
- Biological Safety Cabinet Design, Construction and Performance Requirements
- Biosafety Cabinet Testing
- Ventilation Systems
- Local Ventilation -When Required
- Ventilation Rates for Animal Rooms
- Ventilation Rates for Animal Rooms
- Ventilation Rates for Biological Labs
- Ventilation Rates for Chemical Laboratories
- Ventilation rates for Storage areas
- Room Supply Air
- Supply Air Quality and Filtration
- Room and Duct Pressurization
- Human Occupancy, Room Temperature and Humidity
- Animal Rooms Room Temperature and Humidity
- Load Calculations
- Room Sound Level and Vibration
- Emergency Control Provisions
- Energy Conservation
- Monitoring
- Maintenance
- Periodic Inspection and Testing
- Periodic Inspection and Testing - Canada
- Test Records
- Management
- Exhaust Systems
- Configuration
- Leakage
- Components
- Manifolded Systems
- Air Velocity
- Stack Height and Discharge Location
- Operational Reliability
- Recirculated Air and Cross Contamination
- Materials and Fire Protection
- Commissioning
- Commissioning - Canada
- Referenced Publications
Ventilation Systems
Siemens Industry, Inc. 111
Topic Requirement(s) Commentary
Room Sound
Level and
Vibration
American National Standard for Laboratory Ventilation ANSI/AIHA Z9.5-2003
5.1.3 Generation of excessive noise shall be avoided in laboratory ventilation
systems. Fan location and noise treatment shall provide for sound pressure level
(SPL) in conformance with local ambient criteria. The acoustic character of the
ventilation system should help create a pleasant working environment. Sound from
the ventilation system should not interfere with laboratory operations. The
recommended range for hospital laboratories is 5O-35; higher RC ranges might be
acceptable for other types of laboratories. NC curves above 55 might result in
unacceptable speech interference in the laboratory. Use of porous or flammable
sound-absorbing interior lining of exhaust ductwork usually is unacceptable
ASHRAE, 2011 Handbook - HVAC Applications, Laboratories, Pg. 14.9 Noise
Noise level in the laboratory should be considered at the beginning of the design so
that noise criterion (NC) levels suitable for scientific work can be achieved. For
example, at the NIH, sound levels of NC 40 to 45 (including fume hoods) are
required in regularly occupied laboratories. The requirement is relaxed to NC 55 for
instrument rooms. If noise criteria are not addressed as part of the design, NC levels
can be 65 or greater, which is unacceptable to most occupants. Sound generated by
the building HVAC equipment should be evaluated to ensure that excessive levels do
not escape to the outdoors.
American Institute of Architects, GUIDELINES FOR PLANNING AND DESIGN OF
BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH LABORATORY FACILITIES 1999
C.7.c. For laboratory hoods, noise levels should not exceed NC 60 at the face of the
hood unless permitted by the facility safety personnel.
(Continued on Next Page)
Fume hoods with a wide open sash and a 100
fpm face velocity can typically produce a
sound pressure level of 65dB at the fume
hood. Since this is not representative of
normal usage and exits directly in front of the
fume hood, this sound level is normally
acceptable.
Note that dBA sound levels refer to sound
measurements using the A weighted scale that
differs somewhat from the standard NC (noise
criteria) curves.
VAV laboratory ventilation systems can be
very beneficial in maintaining lower ventilation
system sound since they reduce room supply
airflow as well as the fume hood exhaust
airflow as fume hood sashes are closed. This
is particularly important in teaching labs where
the students need to clearly hear an instructor.
Note: For additional information and detailed
explanations of the concepts of sound, sound
intensity measurement, and sound reduction
refer to Siemens’ publication 125-1929,
Minimizing Excessive Sound in Ventilation
System Design - Applications Guide.