Zeneca Specialties appreciates the benefits of filtration fume cupboards

Citation

(1999), "Zeneca Specialties appreciates the benefits of filtration fume cupboards", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 28 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.1999.12928daf.001

Zeneca Specialties appreciates the benefits of filtration fume cupboards

Zeneca Specialties appreciates the benefits of filtration fume cupboards

Keywords: Zeneca, Fume extractors, Health and safety, Occupational exposure limit

Semper Products Limited, the specialist manufacturer of high performance laboratory extraction systems, has recently provided and installed a series of energy-efficient filtration fume cupboards for Zeneca Specialties in Blackley, Manchester.

The fume cupboards were specified as part of Zeneca Specialties' Boston Project - a large-scale refurbishment scheme which will see the creation of one of the world's most highly advanced chemical research and development facilities. Semper Products originally became involved in the project when managing director, Tom Sexton, was invited to address key staff at Zeneca and to offer advice about the suitability of non-ducted fume cupboards for use in the new laboratories.

"Zeneca had already installed a number of ducted systems at the site", said Tom. "But the company was also looking for a way of providing additional fume cupboards for specific areas without imposing any further load on the building's air handling system. It recognised that self-contained filtration fume cupboards could be a very effective way of achieving this, so we were asked to consider the relevant options and to produce an interim hazard assessment.

"Safety was obviously a priority, so it was important that we could show that non-ducted systems would exceed all the relevant safety standards and that occupational exposure limits could be rigorously observed. We also considered many other factors, ranging from the materials that would be used within the cupboards to issues such as fire safety, energy efficiency and the resulting cost savings. We demonstrated that re-circulatory fume cupboards would not only meet all safety and technical requirements, but also generate appreciable savings, so on the basis of these findings, the client decided to proceed."

In total, Semper Products provided eight standard filtration fume cupboards, in addition to four specially constructed models which were designed for use in rooms with limited height. These special units were based on Semper's standard SP130 product, but incorporated a double sliding sash and other modifications which maximised the internal space whilst enabling them to be used in rooms with relatively low ceilings. All of the cupboards - both standard and custombuilt - were supplied in Zeneca's corporate colours.

One of the key decision makers at Zeneca Specialties was site services engineer, Stuart Dale. He was part of the team that examined the feasibility of using filtration fume cupboards and, with the project now complete, he notes that the decision has proved justified.

"There were two main reasons to use ductless, self-contained filtration fume cupboards on this particular phase", he said. "The first was the necessity for housing a number of additional fume cupboards - which the existing adopted extraction system would have been unable to cope with; the second was mobility - to enable the chemist to wheel the fume cupboard anywhere within the extremities of a large, 2,400sq.m. laboratory facility. The decision has been a great success and we would not hesitate to use self-contained filtration fume cupboards on subsequent phases - and indeed, Semper Products".

Semper's laboratory fume cupboards come complete with a number of advanced safety features and are typically fitted with a single sliding sash which maximises air containment characteristics whilst permitting easy loading and use of equipment. They are available in a range of sizes, and because they do not require external ducting, they can be moved to different locations as required.

Details available from Semper Products. Tel: +44 (0) 151 549 0777.