Laminar Air Flow Hood Manufacturer

Laminar Air Flow Hood: An Ultimate FAQ Guide

It is an enclosed hood that is specially designed for preventing contamination of biological samples, semiconductor wafers, or other particle-sensitive materials.

Laminar airflow is usually required by most of the contamination-sensitive environments as required in a Laminar Air Flow Hood.

This airflow works in the unidirectional sweeping of the particles, beginning from the cleanest area to the exit area.

In this case, the area under the hood is the cleanest whereas the vents along the bottom or back of the hood or the sash opening are the exit area.

Via the HEPA filter, the air is drawn inside and blown smoothly following a laminar flow pattern towards the user. The direction of the airflow helps in protecting the sample from the user.

But this does not ensure the protection of the user from the sample. A stainless steel hood construction is followed, free from any joints or gaps as these sites are significantly involved in heavy spore collection. You can get a Laminar Air Flow Hood in either vertical or horizontal configurations.

Laminar Air Flow Hood Testing

What is a Laminar Air Flow Hood?

A Laminar Air Flow Hood is prime quality and highly efficient device that supports control particle contamination.

The unidirectional air traveling at a constant speed, with least or no crossover of air streams (also referred to as lamina) is called laminar airflow.

It is opposite to the turbulent airflow in which the formation of eddies and swirls takes place which helps in the deposition of the particles randomly on the surfaces.

A Laminar Air Flow Hood has a special design that is responsible for ensuring that the upstream area will always be the cleanest area located closest to the filter face.

It also has a UV-C germicidal lamp that is helpful in sterilization of the interior as the contents before carrying out the procedure for preventing particulate contamination of the process.

Before starting your procedure turn these lamps on for at least 15 minutes

Once sterilized, switch off the light to limit eye and skin exposure to harmful UV as they are a leading cause of cataracts and cancer.

Sunnyda Laminar Air Flow Hood

What are the Excellent Features of a Laminar Air Flow Hood?

• Radial EC fans with low-noise technology for minimum vibration and lowest noise levels.
• Efficient LED lighting for creating the most comfortable work conditions for the workers.
• Static airflow stabilization system that helps in the maintenance of constant air balance within the working chamber regardless of the filter clogging conditions.
• A fully functioning laminarization screen for ensuring uniform laminar downflow distribution across the entire work area is installed downstream of the HEPA box.
• Simple disinfection and comfortable operation are provided by an easy-to-use electronic control panel.
• Selected operating modes displayed by LCD screen with frequent alarm generation episodes during the operation.
• In the rear wall, UV light is installed in the upper part for improved visibility and efficient disinfection.
• Stainless steel grille is used for protecting the work chamber from corrosion and rusting problems.
• Optimization of the work conditions by downflow velocity, a quick adjustment in a suitable range of 0.25-0.5 MPs, and laminarity is guaranteed.
• Gas springs are installed to help you open, uphold and close the front sash.
• Any strong impact on the front sash or at the closing is prevented by the damper.
• Stainless steel AISI 304 tabletop (1.5 mm) is installed for offering high corrosion resistance and mechanical or chemical resistance.
• Non-absorbent and a non-flammable powder coating are used for further protecting the metal body of the Laminar Air Flow Hood.
• Tempered glass is used in the construction of side windows and front sash.

Laminar Air Flow Hood UV Light

What are the Main Characteristics of a Laminar Air Flow Hood?

• Class 100 clean room air cleanliness standard
• Construction options include powder-coated MS, stainless steel, or GI sheet
• Vertical or horizontal airflow direction
• Acrylic transparent manual sliding-type sash (front door)
• Polycarbonate, acrylic, or stainless steel side panels
• 45 m/s – 0.65 m/s is the range of air velocity range
• 1 or even 2 LED lights for illumination
• 65 ±5 DB I the noise level value
• 220 volts / 50 Hz is the power supply
• Prefiltered and HEPA filtered air filtration
• Highly efficient light, main, UV light, and blower on/off switch

What are the Dimensions and Main Parameters of a Laminar Air Flow Hood?

Model 1:

• Dimensions: 610 x 610 x 610 (mm)
• HEPA Filter Size: 2ft x 2ft x 6 inch
• Number of Prefilters: 1

Model 2:

• Dimensions: 915 x 610 x 610 (mm)
• HEPA Filter Size: 3ft x 2ft x 6 inch
• Number of Prefilters: 2

Model 3:

• Dimensions: 1220 x 610 x 610 (mm)
• HEPA Filter Size: 4ft x 2ft x 6 inch
• Number of Prefilters: 2

Model 4:

• Dimensions: 1828 x 610 x 610 (mm)
• HEPA Filter Size: 3ft x 2ft x 6 inch
• Number of Prefilters: 3

Model 5:

• Dimensions: 2438 x 610 x 610 (mm)
• HEPA Filter Size: 4ft x 2ft x 6 inch
• Number of Prefilters: 4

Laminar Air Flow Hood Standard Size

How Does a Laminar Air Flow Hood Work?

The laminar airflow inside this hood is the basis of its main principle. It has a clean and controlled environment free of contaminating particles, which is done by the inward airflow by the action of the single or multiple HEPA filters.

The incoming air travels through a precise filtration system and then enters the working surface after becoming the laminar airflow.

A pre-filter or filter pad present in the beginning receives this air and converts it into a streamlined airflow pattern in the hood’s controlled area. You can also use a medium filter.

This air then reaches the HEPA filters when pushed by the fan or the blower. These HEPA filters capture the bacteria, and dust particles to convert this particulate air into pure, clean, and filtered air.

This filtered air has two ways now, either it enters the working bench on its way to strike the user’s face. Or it may also enter through the perforations available at the lower surface of the hood.

Laminar Air Flow Hood is a properly enclosed system with a constant positive pressure of air strictly maintained. This pressure inhibits the entry of contaminated air particles into the hood’s controlled area.

How is a Laminar Air Flow Hood Constructed?

Initial Layering:

Two layers of plywood (3/4″) are used; one is 31-3/4″×31-3/4″ and the other is 20″×31-

3/4″.

Both the layers are glued together and then secured with screws. The two-layered thick table area undergoes a lamination process also.

Attaching the Filter:

From the table, the HEPA filter is set back at the thickness of the egg crate white panel (having rectangular cells for proper direction and diffusion of air).

The filter is held in shape by the space blocks. Machine screws help in securing the HEPA filter to the egg crate panel through the half-inch channel into the aluminum filter frame.

Building the Enclosure:

1″×12″ pine dado is used for building an enclosure around the HEPA filter for receiving the filter edges for making a better seal to sturdily hold the filter. This was followed by screwing the enclosure into the 3/4″ base.

Covering the Back:

1/4″ plywood is used for covering the back of the plywood.

Making the Top:

One continuous angle aluminum piece is used for making the 1/16″ thick 1″ angle aluminum frame for the plexiglass hood top.

At the corners, from the top side, a triangle is then cut out for making the 90-degree bends. The ends are then adjusted and secured in the 1/2″ channel.

Laminar Air Flow Hood Manufacturing

What are the Classifications of a Laminar Air Flow Hood?

Class 1:

ISO Equivalent: ISO 3

• Number of Particles /m3 (/ft3) at ≥ 0.1 µm: 1,000 (35)
• Number of Particles /m3 (/ft3) at ≥ 0.2 µm: 237 (7.5)
• Number of Particles /m3 (/ft3) at ≥ 0.3 µm: 2,370 (75)
• Number of Particles /m3 (/ft3) at ≥ 0.5 µm: 23,700 (750)

Class 10:

• ISO Equivalent: ISO 4
• Number of Particles /m3 (/ft3) at ≥ 0.1 µm: 10,000 (350)
• Number of Particles /m3 (/ft3) at ≥ 0.2 µm: 102 (3)
• Number of Particles /m3 (/ft3) at ≥ 0.3 µm: 1020 (30)
• Number of Particles /m3 (/ft3) at ≥ 0.5 µm: 10200 (300)

Class 100:

• ISO Equivalent: ISO 5
• Number of Particles /m3 (/ft3) at ≥ 0.1 µm: 100,000 (3,500)
• Number of Particles /m3 (/ft3) at ≥ 0.2 µm: 35 (1)
• Number of Particles /m3 (/ft3) at ≥ 0.3 µm: 352 (10)
• Number of Particles /m3 (/ft3) at ≥ 0.5 µm: 3520 (100)

Class 100 Laminar Air Flow Hood

What are the Major Types of Laminar Air Flow Hood?

According to the air flow’s direction, a Laminar Air Flow Hood is characterized into two different types: horizontal laminar air flow and vertical laminar air flow.

Horizontal Laminar Air Flow Hood:

This hood directs the air to the HEPA filters by the action of the blowers, this air is basically collected from the surrounding environment the filtered air enters the working area in a horizontal direction.

This hood is advantageous in a way such that the flow of air in a direction parallel to the working area is helpful in cleaning the environment with a maintained constant velocity.

But unfortunately, in this hood, the flowing air is finally directed towards the user’s face, which is not a safe option.

Vertical Laminar Air Flow Hood:

In this type of hood, the air movement is directed from the top portion to the bottom portion directly.

The working bench in this system doesn’t need to be that much deep and can be fitted in less space in contrast to the horizontal one.

Due to this, it is also easy to manage, has maximum air filter efficiency and there are minimum chances of airflow obstruction. Also, there is the least possibility of contaminated air movement downstream.

The best thing about Vertical Laminar Air Flow Hood is its safety, as it doesn’t target the face of the user for directing the blowing air.

Vertical Laminar Air Flow Hood

What are the Main Parts of a Laminar Air Flow Hood?

The major components that join together to form the Laminar Air Flow Hood are:

Main Body:

The main body of the hood is made using stainless steel, and the least gaps or spaces or even no gaps are present to limit the space where spores can accumulate and grow.

The purpose of this Laminar Air Flow Hood is to achieve insulation inside the controlled area and also to achieve protection from the external environment.

To easily take your hands inside this hood, a glass shield is present in the front portion. In some cases, this shield can be fully opened; however, sometimes, it has two different openings.

Work Surface:

To perform your procedures, there is a flat working surface present inside every Laminar Air Flow Hood.

You can easily place all your required equipment including the burner, culture plates, and loops on this surface so that you can easily access them when required.

In order to avoid rust and corrosion, stainless steel is most commonly used in constructing this work surface.

Pre-Filter:

A pre-filter or filter pad allows the air to pass through it and is installed in the upper portion of the hood.

Its purpose is to grab the dust and dirt particles from the flowing air and also to capture the microbes so that they disturb the internal control environment by reaching there.

Blower or Fan:

Under the filter pad, there is a powerful fan installed. The purpose of this fan is to consume the air and direct it into and around the hood.

This fan also sends the air towards the HEPA filter which acts as a primary filter so that final and precise trapping of microbes and leftover microbes can be done.

UV Lamp:

It is important to sterilize the materials, equipment, and the internal area of the Laminar Air Flow Hood before you start your procedure in it, and a UV germicidal lamp perfectly does this job.

To keep UV radiations away from the user, you can turn on this lamp 15 minutes prior to starting your procedure in it.

Fluorescent Lamp:

It is always essential to have a proper light supply inside the Laminar Air Flow Hood so that you can see everything clearly, and for this, you can install a bright fluorescent lamp.

HEPA Filter:

The High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filter is installed to sterilize the air flowing inside this hood, to assure a sterile room for the users and the procedures being performed.

After passing from the pre-filter, the partially filtered air enters this HEPA filter where dust particles, fungi, and other particulates are trapped.

This trapping decreases the chances of contamination that can be caused by the presence of microorganisms and harmful particles.

Laminar Air Flow Hood HEPA Filter

Why Do you Need a Laminar Air Flow Hood?

A Laminar Air Flow Hood is commonly used for the following purposes in the laboratory:

• It is very frequently involved in the completion of microbial or general lab procedures where the entry of contaminants should be prevented.
• It is used to provide a controlled environment for sensitive processes like the preparation of media plates or the culturing of organisms.
• In-plant tissue culture can be used to establish a controlled working environment free from contaminants.
• To prepare drugs in a pharmaceutical clean room, free from contaminants and any foreign particles that can decrease their quality, you can use Laminar Air Flow Hood.
• You can use it for electronic equipment sensitive to particulates.

What are the Benefits of a Laminar Air Flow Hood?

A Laminar Air Flow Hood comes with the following benefits:

Friendly for the Environment:

It involves environment-friendly construction making it safe for the users as well as the environment.

Budget-Friendly:

You don’t have to spend your entire savings on buying this Laminar Air Flow Hood. It is quite affordable making it an easy purchase for you.

Easy to Move:

Tires are attached to the base to ensure easy and smooth movement and relocation of your Laminar Air Flow Hood. It is also lightweight and can be moved by a single person only.

Economical Maintenance:

It has stainless steel construction which is highly resistant to harsh environmental factors including corrosion, rust, etc. This saves you from high maintenance expenses making this hood easy to maintain and service.

Safe and Secure:

It is completely safe for the materials and the users and strongly prohibits the outflow of harmful contaminants that can hinder the process being carried out in the controlled environment.

Durable and Long-Lasting:

Laminar Air Flow Hood is made of high-quality raw material making it highly durable and long-lasting. This saves you from repeated laminar cabinet replacements. Also, it comes with strong HEPA filter construction.

Easy to Move Laminar Air Flow Hood

What are the Applications of a Laminar Air Flow Hood?

• Educational Institutions
• Electronics Manufacturing
• Micromechanics Units
• Pharmaceutical Laboratory
• Semiconductor Clean Room
• Research Labs
• Tissue Culturing Labs
• IV Preparation Units
• Data Recovery Areas
• Plastic Industries
• Optical Units

Laminar Air Flow Hood Applications

Why Use a Vertical or Horizontal Laminar Air Flow Hood?

Vertical Laminar Air Flow Hood:

A few reasons are listed below for selecting a vertical laminar flow cabinet for your application:

• The hood is not very deep and it acquires little space for installation.
• It can easily handle large or tall equipment due to its good working height.
• Minimum turbulence is produced due to the collision of different large-sized objects.
• The filter present on top is easy to access for cleaning.
• Minimum chances of cross-contamination for the objects present on the working surface.
• The air doesn’t strike the user’s face, for extra protection a sash is present.

Horizontal Laminar Air Flow Hood:

Given are some reasons to select a horizontal laminar flow cabinet for your application:

• You can easily and simply arrange the required objects on the working station, closer to the filter.
• Due to the downstream nature between the hands and gloves with the sample, they are less likely to get contaminated.
• The laminar airflow is parallel in direction to the working station; this reduces the turbulence effects from the air flowing in the vertical direction, acting perpendicular to the working station.

Horizontal or Vertical Which Laminar Air Flow Hood is Best for your Application?

A Horizontal Laminar Air Flow Hood is useful in the following cases:

• Both the horizontal and vertical units are excellent in producing minimum turbulent flow in the working area, but the horizontal one is a bit better in getting the least turbulence.
• The air flowing in it doesn’t strike with any obstructing object until it gets out from the fume hood.
• If you are dealing with small-sized objects or equipment during your process, there will be the least turbulence. However, in the case of large-sized equipment or objects, turbulence or disturbance in the normal airflow pattern will be produced.
• This type of hood provides higher protection against contamination, because of the downstream placement of hands and gloves within the horizontal flow.

A Vertical Laminar Air Flow Hood is preferable in the following conditions:

• If your procedure involves large equipment, you can use this vertical hood, due to its property of minimum turbulence production when dealing with large-sized objects.
• Also, if the procedure you are performing requires the use of fine powders or soldering fumes, you can use this hood. It is safe to handle non-toxic powders present on or around the working surface. But it is better to use a chemical fume hood for this purpose.
• The horizontal one is useful for tall and large objects because it has good height, due to the mounting of filters on the upper surface.

Horizontal Laminar Air Flow Hood

What are the Accessories for a Laminar Air Flow Hood?

Some accessories that can be easily used with the Laminar Air Flow Hood is to increase its working are given below:

• High stand
• Extra sockets
• Inflammable tap that comes with an electromagnetic valve
• Technical gas tap that has no solenoid valve
• Front sash with square cutout
• Vacuum tap with no electromagnetic valve
• ULPA filter

What are the Laminar Air Flow Hood Testing Processes?

For the maintenance, certification, and safety guideline compliance of your Laminar Air Flow Hood performance testing is a must requirement.

Some common tests required to be performed are:

• Particle Counting
• Sound Level Measurement
• Airflow Visualization
• Integrity Testing of HEPA Filters
• Fluorescent Light Testing

What are the Precautions to Follow When Using your Laminar Air Flow Hood?

Here are some precautions that you must consider when dealing with a Laminar Air Flow Hood:

• Assure that the UV lights are turned off if the operator is present inside this hood.
• Sterilization of this whole equipment is essential prior to and after its usage.
• Wearing lab coats and covering your hands with long gloves is essential for every user.
• To use the working station or glass shield, always use proper sterilization techniques to sterilize all these surfaces.
• Never use the Laminar Air Flow Hood and UV light simultaneously.

Wear PPE Before Using Laminar Air Flow Hood

How to Increase the Efficiency of your Laminar Air Flow Hood?

To increase the efficiency of your Laminar Air Flow Hood, the following things should be considered:

• You should not use it as a storage place to store clutter and unnecessary objects, also this clutter can make cleaning this environment hard.
• A clean and non-contaminated person operating this hood is the most essential thing you should maintain in this environment.
• To keep it clean and efficient, you should wash your hands properly before and after using your Laminar Air Flow Hood.
• A proper arrangement of all the required items is necessary to get various benefits of this system.
• Preventing the contamination of the filters is necessary so that they can effectively trap the contaminating particles.
• Avoid pacing any non-sterile items on the outer area of the Laminar Air Flow Hood such as pouches and bags, as they can disturb the controlled environment of your system.
• Avoid placing large items which can disturb the maintained and controlled flow of air in the working environment.
• Unnecessary processes such as speaking, coughing, sneezing, etc should be kept minimum to maintain the contained environment.
• The effectiveness of this controlled environment is highly affected by the placement of non-sterile equipment and items.

20.   Conclusion.

To make sure that a Laminar Air Flow Hood offers great performance, always take care of its regular maintenance and service.

This helps you identify the problems and damages so that you can solve them on time. Delaying any damages or neglecting proper servicing ends up creating bigger problems that are either very tough to get rid of, or permanent.

Also use your Laminar Air Flow Hood in the right way, following all the standard protocols and guidelines to make sure that your processes remain completely safe for particulate contamination. Using it the wrong way can cause a serious impact on your health, materials, and environment.

100% Quality Tested Laminar Air Flow Hood