Basic Documentation
Table Of Contents
- About this Application Guide
- Chapter 1–Introduction
- Chapter 2–Goals of the Laboratory Environment
- Chapter 3–Unique Ventilation Needs of a Laboratory Facility
- Chapter 4–Ventilation Systems Classification
- Chapter 5–Laboratory Facility Exhaust Systems
- Chapter 6–Laboratory Containment Units - Ventilation
- Chapter 7–Room Ventilation, Makeup Air, and Pressurization Control Systems
- Chapter 8–Laboratory Temperature and Humidity Control Systems
- Chapter 9–Laboratory Emergencies - Ventilation System Response
- Chapter 10–Laboratory Ventilation System - Validation
- Chapter 11–Laboratory Ventilation System - Commissioning
- Glossary
- Index
Chapter 5–Laboratory Facility Exhaust Systems
Exhaust Systems Overview
Regardless of configuration, all facility exhaust systems must meet these
requirements:
1. The system capacity and air velocity must reliably collect and transport all
hazardous airborne substances (for example, fumes, flammable vapors, airborne
pathogens, airborne radioactive particulate, etc.) and the discharge air stream
must not pose a hazard to the facility itself or other properties in the area. This is
typically accomplished by utilizing a sufficiently high airflow rate within the
exhaust system and an adequate exhaust stack height and/or a sufficiently high
exhaust air discharge velocity.
2. All portions of the exhaust system that are within the building must be under
negative static pressure with reference to the building interior, and be adequately
constructed and sealed so there is no leakage of exhaust air within a building.
3. Exhaust system components (ducts, duct fittings, fans, dampers, etc.) must be
composed of materials able to withstand the corrosive or other adverse effects of
the substances transported.
4. Operation of the exhaust system should not be a source of excessive vibration
within the facility or generate an unacceptably high sound level within the
laboratory rooms, the facility itself, or outside of the facility.
5. The entire exhaust system must be configured and its operation controlled in a
manner that includes provision for fail-safe operation as well as adequate
accessibility provisions for periodic system testing as well as servicing of
operating equipment (fans, dampers, etc.).
6. Operational deficiencies or exhaust system problems (that is, fan failure, low
airflow, inadequate static pressure, etc.) should be indicated.
Configuration
Laboratory exhaust arrangements are generally categorized as individual or
centralized. In an individual exhaust system arrangement, as shown in Figure 3,
each containment unit served (biosafety cabinet, chemical fume hood, etc.) has its
own individual exhaust duct, exhaust fan and discharge stack.
In contrast to this, a centralized exhaust system, as shown in Figure 4, is an example
of one type of arrangement where a multitude of containment units are connected to
a common exhaust system that is served by a central exhaust fan and discharge
arrangement.
20 Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.