At TEL our mission is to give lab managers greater control over their physical environment, to make their labs safer, easier, more energy efficient, and less expensive to operate.

While each of our pioneering products has a role to play in making labs safer and more energy efficient, the combination of Variable Air Volume (VAV) control, as offered by the AFA4000, and automatic sash control is especially beneficial to lab managers.

About the AFA4000

The AFA4000 VAV airflow controller is designed for fume hoods and biological safety cabinets. It helps protect lab users by replacing potentially hazardous air with fresh, clean air – precisely according to need.

Since its launch in 2017, we’ve been continually updating and refining it in response to customer feedback and wider industry developments. Today it offers enhanced usability and features including intuitive user interface, simple two-step calibration process, cutting edge alarm diagnostics, emergency/unoccupied/night setback operation options and comms built in as standard.

More recently we integrated a gas sensor (AFA4000 E/GS) to monitor filter saturation that triggers an alarm if a gas breakthrough is detected, or the filter reaches its manufacturer-designated lifespan.

About Auto Sash Control

Our innovative Auto Sash Controller uses a passive infra-red (PIR) sensor to continually monitor the space in front of a fume cupboard. If no movement is detected and the opening is clear, once a pre-defined period of time has passed, the sash is closed. When the lab user is present, the sash can be operated manually either via a Tiptronic touch-sensitive feature or foot switch.

TEL’s Auto Sash Controller features an easy-to-use, intuitive menu, choice of three motor drive systems and dual control option for fume cupboards with two sashes. One of our most ecologically friendly products, it is included on the Carbon Trust ECA Energy Technology List.

Combined benefits

The AFA4000 and Auto Sash Controller can be used independently but using them together enables lab managers to maximise and guarantee energy savings of up to 85%. This is because closing the sash using Auto Sash Control prompts the AFA4000 to operate at its lowest safe airflow rate without compromising safety.

The full range of benefits also includes:

• Enhanced safety: lab users are protected from the harmful effects of inhaling potentially toxic fumes and airborne particulate. The Auto Sash Controller also detects obstacles, preventing the sash from closing on equipment or hands.
• Good indoor air quality is also linked to reduced incidence of respiratory illness and absenteeism and contributes to a more productive workforce.
• Reduce carbon footprint by using as little energy as possible while safely ventilating the lab environment.
• Ensure compliance with local health and safety regulations and standards.
• Enhanced comfort forlab workers: VAV systems are quieter, adjusting the amount of conditioned air supplied to any given zone, facilitating a more stable and comfortable working environment.
• Improved containment: keeping the sash closed (or at a minimal opening) when the fume cupboard isn’t being used improves face velocity control.

Both products can be fitted to new equipment or retrofitted to existing fume cupboard installations.

To find out how much energy you could save, give the TEL team a call on +44 (0) 1457 865 635 or email sales@tel-uk.com.