If your lab ventilation system is more than 10 years old it’s probably not working at optimum efficiency. This is important because it impacts your ability to protect lab workers, reduce equipment damage, comply with health and safety regulations and ensure the integrity of research.

At TEL we specialise in improving airflow control and monitoring in laboratory environments, so we’ve created a quick quiz to help you assess whether your system needs upgrading:

Question 1: Is your fan always operating at maximum capacity?

If the answer is yes, your system probably isn’t working as efficiently as it could be. Constant Air Volume or ‘CAV’ airflow control is unlikely to be the best way to ventilate your lab unless it is in use 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

TEL pioneered and specialises in Variable Air Volume (‘VAV’) airflow control and monitoring solutions. VAV systems replace dirty and potentially hazardous air with fresh clean air according to need. Because the ventilation system only operated when fume cupboards are in use, they help reduce both energy costs and wear and tear.

Question 2: Is fume cupboard face velocity dropping?

Face velocity is the speed at which air enters the fume cupboard sash. Maintaining it at a consistent and appropriate level (according to BS EN 14175 it should be between 0.3 and 0.5 m/s as standard) is vital to the process of extracting polluted or hazardous air from the lab and away from lab workers.  

Problems with face velocity can be caused by physical blockages and mechanical failure, but can also point to a more general problem with airflow that means not enough air is being supplied for safe and effective ventilation.

Question 3: Have your energy bills gone up?

If energy bill increases relate to an increase in energy use (as opposed to price rises) then an upgrade might be worth considering.

Older or less efficient lab ventilation systems have to work harder to achieve the airflow required to ensure your lab can operate safely, compliantly and comfortably which means they are more expensive to run. Switching from a CAV system to a VAV system can reduce energy use – and therefore costs – by up to 85%.

Our VAV solutions can be retrofitted in most laboratory environments without the need for a building management system, ensuring the greatest efficiency with minimum spend or disruption.

Question 4: Are carbon filters failing unexpectedly?

This is a common sign that lab ventilation is sub optimal. For example, an increase in humidity caused by poor airflow can cause a filter to collect more water vapour than usual and becoming saturated sooner than expected.

Effective airflow control and monitoring fine tunes not only the cleanliness of the air but also humidity and temperature variations. Our VAV airflow control and monitoring solutions integrate with the filters specified for the needs of each specific lab environment, giving peace of mind around the safety of lab workers and the integrity of their research.

Question 5: Are you struggling to expand your lab?

Lab expansion is often obstructed by inefficient or less adaptable lab ventilation systems. Older systems, especially those with CAV airflow control, find it harder to distribute air evenly, especially in larger areas or where the layout of the room changes frequently.

Our AFA5000 Room Space Controller can communicate directly with up to 64 fume cupboards measuring their precise airflow requirements so that air can be supplied according to need –  minimising energy consumption and reducing energy costs, without impacting on safety.

Ready to do things differently?

The impact of poor lab ventilation can be significant. But, by utilising our knowledge and experience you can improve ventilation and positively impact safety, performance, energy efficiency and compliance in your lab.

Take a look at some of our Case Studies to see change in action.

Or give us a call on +44 (0) 1457 865 635 to find out more.