Basic Documentation

Table Of Contents
Fume Hoods
Siemens Industry, Inc. 41
Topic Requirement(s) Commentary
Fire
Protection/
Emergency
Control
Provisions
(Continued)
Scientific Equipment & Furniture Association
SEFA 12006 Recommended Practices for Laboratory Fume Hoods
4.1.9 Hood Services
Any fire protection system used in a chemical fume hood should be compliant with
local codes and regulations, and NFPA 17.
Any fire suppression system used in a chemical fume hood should be rated for fire
classes A, B, or C with manual and thermal activation triggers. Other water or liquid
based systems may be acceptable if appropriate testing and certification are
available.
No fire dampers of any kind should ever be installed in a chemical fume hood
exhaust system.
Flammable materials should never be stored directly below a chemical fume hood
in anything but an NFPA specified, UL listed or FM approved solvent storage
cabinet.
American Institute of Architects, GUIDELINES FOR PLANNING AND DESIGN OF
BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH LABORATORY FACILITIES 1999
C.13 Fire Safety/Fire Protection
d. Fire dampers shall not be provided on any fume hood system.
Although the safety standards specifically
prohibit fire dampers in fume hood exhaust
systems, individual local codes may still
require their inclusion. The laboratory
ventilation system designer is advised to
seek a variance from such a requirement
with the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). If
a variance is not attainable, the designer will
have to comply with the local code
requirement but it is recommended that they
confirm by letter to the AHJ that although the
exhaust system will have the required fire
dampers, it is contrary to NFPA 45, AIHA
Z9.5 and other laboratory safety references.
If a fire situation should later occur and the
integrity of the system design becomes
subject to investigation or litigation, the
recommended documentation will help
substantiate the designer’s desire to follow
noted safety standards.