Inspection of Laminar Flow Hoods - What you need to know about it?

Laminar flow hoods are used to provide filtered air to avoid contamination in laboratories or research facilities. High efficiency Particulate Air filter, popularly known as HEPA filter is used to filter the air. This sterile air that is introduced has same velocity and flows in one direction only. The clean benches or Laminar flow hood help keep the sample of the experiment safe from all kinds of outside contamination. The direction of airflow in these clean benches is such that while it does keep the sample safe, it does nothing for the safety of the user. The user is open to contamination and should be careful of the radiations.

Like every other device that we use in a laboratory or a healthcare pharmacy or even in a hospital, it also needs inspection from time to time. Maintenance of all devices is of utmost importance. Clean benches require extra taking care and thus inspections of the same happen frequently.

All testing should be done with proper calibrated instruments and it should be at par with industry standards. Not only laminar flow hoods requires maintenance and inspection even its accessories like HEPA filter, Pharmacy Compounding Isolators, Clean Air Work stations, Clean Room Unidirectional Zones also requires the same maintenance and inspection.

Guidelines are established by IEST -002, ISO 14644 to ensure that the products are up to the mark. Every accessory are tested individually, and the reports too are individually documented. 

What needs to be inspected?

·         Air Velocity Profile: Checked to avoid contamination of air.

·         Integrity Testing of HEPA Filters: Existing HEPA filters are tested to avoid any kind of leakage which may lead to contamination

·         Non-Viable Particle Counting:

·         Air Testing

·         Surface Testing

·         Airflow Visualization Profile

·         Measurement of Temperature and Relative Humidity

·         Vibration Testing

·         Induction Leak Testing

·         Sound Level Measurement and Testing

Most manufacturers recommend an annual testing but in lot of industries and facilities frequent check-ups are recommended. Depending on the usage of the laminar flow hoods, or the industry that it is being used in, maintenance can be recommended semi-annually or even quarterly. It is industry specific the inspection of any laminar flow hood and its various accessories.

It is highly advisable that a laminar hood is kept on 24 hours, if for any reason it turns off then first it should be cleaned properly by turning it on for at least 30 minutes and then to be used again.

These inspections are required from time to time to avoid contaminations or leakage in the laminar flow hood. It is very important that the facilities which use these laminar flow hoods should keep a regular check on it. Laminar flow hoods work to prevent contamination. In the case of leakage of any kind of radiation or any such unwanted rays, it could be hazardous for the people working there. Their safety is of utmost importance because only that will ensure that the laboratory functions properly.

With the various testing that are done from time to time, a fully functional Laminar Flow Hood is essential for every Laboratory, hospital or a healthcare pharmacy.

Laminar Flow Hood -- An Air Flow In A Confined Space Whose Velocity And Direction Are Same.

A laminar flow hood is a closed clean bench which is used to regulate the filtered air from HEPA filter. These HEPA filters helps to remove small microscopic particles like aerosols and micro-organisms from air. These laminar flow hood are usually used where biological samples are being handled. It is even used while using sensitive materials, or semi-conductors. Mostly a clean bench has sample of exhibits which are sensitive to outside particles slung with the fact that the risk of contamination could probably be extremely dangerous and can destroy the sample working on.

·         Class I : These are similar to chemical fume hoods

·         Class II:  Hard ducted to the outside

·         Class III: TO be used when working on Human pathogens and other BSL-4 materials.

These laminar flow hoods are made up of stainless steel without any gaps or joints.

WORKING OF LAMINAR AIR FLOW HOOD

Laminar air flow hood works by using the in-flow laminar air. The concept is that the air in the portable laminar flow hoods is used via HEPA filters, which is so designed that it restricts the passage of particles as small as micro-organisms; thus, creating a particle free environment to work in for the laboratory personnel. After passing through HEPA filters it is circulated in the chamber i.e. the working area creating a particle free environment. A positive air pressure is maintained to avoid any back flow of the contaminated air from the room.

Usage of these laminar air flow hoods is maximum in research facilities where they need a dust free environment to work in. Even in CDC (Centre for Disease Control) and other such facilities these hoods are installed to maintain a sterilized environment. They are suitable for working areas which do not work with bio-hazards. The air flow of these cabinets is designed in such a way that while they give complete protection to the sample, it is not so with the user. The user is often exposed to contaminated air from the cabinets.  Various different types are available based on the nature of the work.

The efficiency of a laminar floe hood depends on a variety of reasons. The design, material used to create it, the comfort of usage is all important aspects of any laminar flow cabinet. These cabinets are available in various airflow setting configurations. Airflow that is passed through HEPA air filters can be either horizontally or vertically according to specific requirements. The primary purpose of these laminar flow cabinets is to prevent the sample or the exhibit that they are working on from external contamination. Wisely select your laminar flow hoods.

What is Horizontal Laminar Flow Hood? How does it work?

The Laminar Flow hoods are of two types, and these are horizontal laminar flow hood and vertical laminar flow hood. You can use them according to your needs, and there is no actual difference in the working of these both types of laminar flow hoods.

However, you need to know all the things that are associated with them, and we are here to discuss a little about the things that can help you to use the laminar flow hood to the extent. These hoods are used in the labs, and we are here to talk about the horizontal laminar flow hood. The working of the hood is really amazing, and you can get all the information in the section below.

What is Horizontal Laminar Flow Hood?

The laminar flow hood that is horizontal is in a horizontal shape, and it stands wide with all the same feature of the laminar flow hood. The thing works really great, and the thing it works for is to get the contaminant-free environment.

Well, this is not an unreal thing, and this is the actual use of these laminar flow hoods. You can get a particle free environment with the help of a laminar flow hood. This is the only use of the horizontal laminar flow hood. And the question arises why there is a need for a particle free environment? So, the answer is as follows –

Why there is a need for Particle Free Environment?

The particle free environment is really a great thing, and this is nothing less than a miracle. But you cannot be living in such a state, or you will get to see your death near. This is real, and it is true that the air around us is somehow not that good for it is not that good. You can get so many things done with the help of a particle-free nature.

So, if you are working in a lab or if some lab technician is working in the lab and the experiment needs such an environment that doesn't need any extra containment. There are many of them that cannot tolerate such a thing. So, what happens is that the laminar flow hood starts the filter and once the air is filtered out when the lab technician starts working on the project. In this way, a horizontal laminar flow hood works for you, and it is all you need. 

How laminar flow hood works?

The working principle of the laminar flow hood is really great, and if we talk about both the vertical and horizontal laminar flow hood, then the only difference is the different place for the hole. Otherwise, it works just the same, and it can help you a lot for real. The filter filters the air that doesn't let any extra particle enter through the nozzle, and it is all you need. This way it works out and helps you to get the particle-free nature for your labs.