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Fume Hood Testing Equipment & Instruments

Kanomax USA / Products / Fume Hood Testing Equipment & Instruments
Kanomax Fume Hood Testing Instruments

Fume Hood Testing Equipment

Test Fume Hood Airflow, Face Velocity, and Containment with Confidence

Properly functioning laboratory fume hoods help protect personnel by capturing and exhausting hazardous gases, vapors, and airborne contaminants. Kanomax USA offers professional fume hood testing equipment for evaluating airflow patterns, measuring face velocity, troubleshooting containment problems, and conducting quantitative tracer gas tests.

Our fume hood testing instruments support the principal methods used by laboratory safety professionals, industrial hygienists, HVAC technicians, certifiers, commissioning providers, and facility managers:

  • Fume hood face velocity measurement
  • Smoke and airflow visualization
  • Tracer gas containment testing
  • Breathing-zone exposure measurement
  • Fume hood commissioning and troubleshooting

Whether you are evaluating a newly installed hood, performing periodic performance testing, investigating airflow disturbances, or assembling equipment for ASHRAE 110 testing, Kanomax can help you select the right instruments for your application.

What Is Fume Hood Testing?

Fume hood testing is the process of evaluating whether a laboratory fume hood is capturing and containing airborne contaminants before they can enter the user’s breathing zone or surrounding laboratory.

A complete evaluation may include both qualitative and quantitative methods. Air velocity measurements determine how quickly air enters through the hood opening. Smoke or haze makes airflow patterns visible. Tracer gas testing challenges the hood with a controlled contaminant release and measures whether any of that contaminant escapes toward the operator.

ASHRAE Standard 110 provides qualitative and quantitative methods for evaluating laboratory fume hood containment in as-manufactured, as-installed, and as-used conditions. SEFA 1 also addresses face velocity, containment testing, inspection, maintenance, room conditions, sash operation, and other factors that influence fume hood performance.

What Does a Fume Hood Performance Test Measure?

Face Velocity

Face velocity is the speed of the air moving through the open sash and into the fume hood. Testing normally involves dividing the hood opening into a measurement grid, taking an air velocity reading at the center of each area, and calculating the average.

Face velocity testing can help identify insufficient exhaust airflow, uneven velocity across the sash opening, improperly operating controls, and changes in system performance.

However, an acceptable average face velocity does not, by itself, demonstrate that the hood is fully containing contaminants. Cross drafts, supply-air turbulence, room pressure, sash position, equipment placement, and user movement can all affect containment..

Airflow Visualization

Airflow visualization uses visible fog, smoke, or haze to show how air moves into and around the fume hood.

A visualization test can reveal:

  • Reverse flow at the sash opening
  • Turbulence inside the hood
  • Air escaping from the hood face
  • Effects caused by room supply air or cross drafts
  • Vortices around the hood sides or work surface
  • Disruptions caused by laboratory equipment
  • Areas where contaminants could reach the operator

Visualization is especially valuable during commissioning, troubleshooting, training, and evaluations where face velocity readings alone do not explain a containment problem.

Tracer Gas Containment Testing

Tracer gas testing provides a quantitative method for challenging and measuring fume hood containment.

During a typical test, a diffuser releases tracer gas inside the hood at a controlled rate. A test manikin represents the position of a laboratory worker, while the analyzer probe is positioned near the manikin’s breathing zone. The analyzer then measures tracer gas that escapes from the hood.

This method helps assess actual containment performance rather than relying only on the amount or speed of air entering the sash opening.

Fume Hood Testing Products from Kanomax USA

Tri-Color Fume Hood Visualizer

The Tri-Color Fume Hood Visualizer makes normally invisible airflow visible by combining controlled vapor haze with red and green laser illumination.

This portable visualization system allows technicians, laboratory managers, and safety professionals to observe airflow behavior inside and around the hood in real time. It can help identify turbulence, reverse flow, leakage paths, cross-draft interference, and other conditions that may be difficult to detect with face velocity measurements alone.

The complete kit includes laser units, a laser control panel, a professional hazer, extension elbows, a hot-wire anemometer, a probe stand, setup accessories, and a protective carrying case. The system does not require SF6 tracer gas for its visualization process.

Best for:

  • Detailed airflow visualization
  • Containment troubleshooting
  • Demonstrating the effects of cross drafts
  • Laboratory safety training
  • Supplementing face velocity measurements
  • Evaluating airflow without SF6

View the Tri-Color Fume Hood Visualizer

Anemomaster Professional Anemometer – Model 6036

The Kanomax Anemomaster Professional Model 6036 is a precision hot-wire anemometer suitable for measuring fume hood face velocity and investigating laboratory airflow.

Its articulating telescopic probe helps technicians position the sensor correctly across the sash opening, while onboard data logging stores up to 1,500 measurements. The instrument measures air velocity from 2 to 6,000 feet per minute with a listed accuracy of ±3% of the reading or 0.015 m/s. USB connectivity and included data-processing software support measurement review and reporting.

Best for:

  • Fume hood face velocity testing
  • Multi-point sash-opening measurements
  • HVAC and ventilation diagnostics
  • Certification and commissioning work
  • Documenting repeatable airflow readings

View the Anemomaster Model 6036

Fog Machine AL900 and Hazer Professional

Visible fog or haze provides a practical way to observe airflow direction, turbulence, leakage, and containment behavior.

The AL900 produces a high-volume fog suitable for general airflow visualization, ventilation testing, demonstrations, and troubleshooting. The Hazer Professional generates a lower-velocity, more uniform haze for sensitive laboratory and containment applications where a powerful fog discharge could disturb the airflow being observed.

Best for:

  • Fume hood smoke visualization
  • Gross and local airflow challenges
  • Identifying turbulence or reverse flow
  • Laboratory training and demonstrations
  • Ventilation and containment troubleshooting

View Fog and Haze Generators

Tracer Gas Diffuser Kit – Model DIF-Kit

The Kanomax DIF-Kit provides the controlled gas-release equipment needed for professional tracer gas containment testing.

The diffuser is manufactured according to ASHRAE Standard Drawing No. 110-83M. An internal critical orifice controls the tracer gas flow at 4 liters per minute, supporting consistent and repeatable test conditions. The system includes a specialty gas regulator, calibrated flow meter, and pressure gauge and can be combined with a vapor analyzer, testing manikin, anemometer, and visualization equipment.

Best for:

  • ASHRAE 110 tracer gas testing
  • Controlled contaminant-release testing
  • Fume hood containment evaluations
  • As-manufactured, as-installed, and as-used testing
  • Professional certification and commissioning workflows

View the Tracer Gas Diffuser Kit

ASHRAE 110 Testing Manikin

The ASHRAE 110 Testing Manikin simulates the position and breathing zone of a laboratory worker during tracer gas containment testing.

The height-adjustable manikin is mounted on a mobile stand and includes a modified head that accepts the sampling probe from the Q200 Vapor Analyzer. The kit includes the manikin, lab coat, wheeled stand, and protective shipping case.

Best for:

  • Reproducing an operator’s position
  • Breathing-zone tracer gas measurement
  • Repeatable containment testing
  • Use with the DIF-Kit and Q200 Vapor Analyzer

View the ASHRAE 110 Testing Manikin

Vapor Analyzer – Model Q200

The Q200 Vapor Analyzer is a portable, high-sensitivity instrument designed to detect and quantify trace concentrations of sulfur hexafluoride during containment and leakage testing.

The analyzer uses electron-capture detector technology and has a listed sensitivity of 0.01 ppm. It reaches approximately 85% of a reading within one second, helping technicians identify, locate, and quantify tracer gas escaping from the fume hood.

The handheld probe can be positioned at the testing manikin’s breathing zone, while data storage, alarm settings, analog output, and an RS232 interface support professional testing workflows.

Best for:

  • Quantitative tracer gas measurement
  • ASHRAE 110 containment testing
  • Detecting SF6 at the breathing zone
  • Locating specific leakage paths
  • Fume hood, glove box, and enclosure testing

View the Q200 Vapor Analyzer

Choose the Right Fume Hood Testing Equipment

The instruments you need will depend on the type and depth of testing being performed.

For Routine Face Velocity Measurement

Use the Anemomaster Professional Model 6036 to measure air velocity at multiple locations across the sash opening.

For Smoke Visualization and Troubleshooting

Use the AL900 Fog Machine or Hazer Professional to observe general airflow direction and identify visible disturbances.

For Advanced Airflow Visualization

Use the Tri-Color Fume Hood Visualizer to illuminate haze with multiple laser colors and examine complex airflow patterns in greater detail.

For Quantitative Tracer Gas Containment Testing

Combine the following products to create a quantitative tracer gas testing system:

  • Tracer Gas Diffuser Kit
  • ASHRAE 110 Testing Manikin
  • Q200 Vapor Analyzer

Additional airflow visualization and face velocity instruments can be used to create a more complete fume hood evaluation system.

Why Test Laboratory Fume Hoods?

Fume hood performance can be affected by more than the exhaust fan. Room airflow, supply diffusers, doors, pedestrian traffic, equipment placement, sash configuration, duct restrictions, fan condition, and ventilation controls can all influence containment.

Testing can help facilities:

  • Verify that newly installed hoods meet project performance criteria
  • Identify changes in airflow or containment
  • Troubleshoot failed or inconsistent performance
  • Evaluate the effects of laboratory renovations
  • Document performance for an internal safety program
  • Confirm proper operation following repairs or ventilation changes
  • Provide laboratory personnel with a safer working environment

OSHA states that laboratory fume hoods used as protective equipment must be maintained and function properly. Individual facilities should establish testing criteria, acceptance limits, and inspection schedules based on their hazards, hood design, applicable standards, manufacturer recommendations, and environmental health and safety program.

Fume Hood Testing Instruments

Tri-Color Fume Hood Visualizer V2

Tri-Color Fume Hood Visualizer

The Tri-Color Fume Hood Visualizer uses vapor haze and lasers to make air visible for highly accurate fume hood testing.

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Kanomax Dif-Kit - Tracer Gas Diffusor Kit

Tracer Gas Diffuser Kit – Model DIF-Kit

The Kanomax tracer gas diffuser kit is used in performing tracer gas tests in accordance with ANSI / ASHRAE Standard 110. The diffuser is designed to the specifications of standard drawing #110-83M.

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Kanomax ASHRAE 110 Testing Manikin - Side

ASHRAE 110 Testing Manikin – Model Manikin Kit

Test mannequin to simulate a human breathing zone. Comes with a manikin, lab coat, manikin stand, and soft carrying case.

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Kanomax Anemomaster Professional Anemometer - Model 6036 - Articulating Probe

Anemomaster Professional Anemometer – Model 6036

The Anemomaster™ Professional is an excellent choice for most HVAC applications. Its accuracy rating is 3% m.v. which is equal to our competitor’s high end units.

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Kanomax Vapor Analyzer - Model Q200 2

Vapor Analyzer – Model Q200

Extremely easy to use tracer gas analyzer that provides highly accurate leak rate measurements with almost instantaneous response time.

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Kanomax Rosco Fog Machine - AL900

Fog Machine – Model AL900

An economical fog machine, excellent for applications such as combine with the Kanomax tracer gas testing DIF-KIT. A simple on-off switch (in remote control mode only) initiates a remarkably powerful blast of smoke.

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Hazer Professional from Fume Hood Certified

Hazer Professional

Perfect for testing in clean rooms or other sensitive areas where you need to visualize the air flow without the disruption caused by higher velocity devices. Includes a lithium-ion battery, zero velocity nozzle, power supply, remote control and fog fluid.

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Fume Hood Testing Frequently Asked Questions

Is Face Velocity Testing Enough to Evaluate a Fume Hood?

Face velocity is an important measurement, but it does not provide a complete picture of containment. A hood may have an acceptable average face velocity while still experiencing turbulence, cross-draft interference, or leakage near the user. Airflow visualization and tracer gas testing provide additional information about how contaminants behave inside the hood.

What Is the Difference Between Smoke Testing and Tracer Gas Testing?

Smoke or haze testing is primarily qualitative. It makes airflow visible so the technician can observe direction, turbulence, reverse flow, and possible escape paths.

Tracer gas testing is quantitative. A controlled gas release is introduced inside the hood, and an analyzer measures the concentration that reaches a defined sampling location near the operator’s breathing zone.

What Instrument Is Used to Measure Fume Hood Face Velocity?

A thermal or hot-wire anemometer is commonly used to measure low air velocities across the fume hood sash opening. Measurements should be taken at multiple points rather than at only one location.

What Equipment Is Needed for ASHRAE 110 Tracer Gas Testing?

A tracer gas test generally requires a controlled gas diffuser, appropriate gas supply and regulator, a testing manikin, an analyzer capable of detecting the selected tracer gas, and supporting measurement equipment. Technicians must follow the applicable standard and their established testing protocol.

Does Kanomax Offer an Alternative to SF6 Visualization?

Yes. The Tri-Color Fume Hood Visualizer uses vapor haze and laser illumination to reveal airflow patterns without requiring SF6 for the visualization process. It is intended for airflow observation and troubleshooting. Formal tracer gas testing should still be conducted with the equipment and procedures required by the applicable test protocol.

When Should a Fume Hood Be Tested?

Testing is commonly performed after installation, during commissioning, at intervals established by the facility’s safety program, and after repairs, relocation, ventilation modifications, or other changes that could affect performance. Testing may also be appropriate when users report unusual odors, airflow alarms, turbulence, or suspected loss of containment.

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