Follow the site response first
Stop the work and make the process safe only as your training and laboratory procedure allow. Notify the supervisor. For a spill, exposure or other immediate danger, follow the site’s emergency arrangements.
Treat an alarm as unresolved until the required checks confirm normal operation. Do not continue hazardous work simply because the sound has stopped. The cupboard’s operating instructions and site procedure should determine when it can return to use.
Record what the cupboard reports
| Record | Useful detail |
|---|---|
| Asset | Room, asset number, model and accessible identification label. |
| Status | Exact displayed message, indicator lights and when the alarm began. |
| Task | What was underway and the relevant chemical history. |
| Conditions | Sash position and any recent room, equipment or ventilation change. |
| History | Recent test, repair or recurring alarm reports. |
Describe observations without diagnosing the fault
An intermittent alarm and a continuous alarm give the service team different information. Note whether the event coincided with a door opening, a power interruption or a change in the laboratory, if you observed it.
Keep those observations separate from the cause. For example, “alarm began after the room ventilation changed” is more useful than assuming the sensor needs adjustment. The technician can assess the cupboard, controls and extraction arrangement together.
Arrange the next check
We provide fume cupboard servicing and can discuss the fault and access needed. Leave sensor adjustments, fan work, electrical checks and roof access to the appropriate personnel.
After repairs or changes, agree what checks and records are needed before the cupboard returns to service. Our testing page explains the information useful for a testing enquiry.
Keep the operating conditions with the test record; our face-velocity guide explains the terms that may appear in it.