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Laboratory extraction advice

Decommissioning a fume hood: plan the handover

Taking a cupboard out of service requires a planned handover between the laboratory, facilities team and contractors. We can discuss the equipment and installation scope while your team manages chemical clearance, isolation and disposal responsibilities.

Decommissioning plan

  1. 01Define what is being retired
  2. 02Assign the preparation responsibilities
  3. 03Assess reuse separately from removal

Define what is being retired

Identify the cupboard, fan, duct route and connected services. Confirm whether the equipment will be removed, retained out of use or assessed for reuse elsewhere. Mark any shared systems that must continue operating.

Keep equipment labels and drawings with the scope so the team can distinguish the affected installation from neighbouring equipment.

Assign the preparation responsibilities

A decommissioning handover schedule
WorkstreamAgree the responsible person
Chemicals and wasteRemoval, residue assessment and approved disposal arrangements.
ClearanceDocumented preparation for contractors to access equipment.
ServicesCompetent isolation of electrical and other connections.
Building workDuct, support, penetration and room-ventilation changes.
RecordsUpdated asset status, drawings and relevant compliance records.

Assess reuse separately from removal

If reuse is proposed, review condition, process suitability and the destination installation. Keep previous results as historical records and arrange assessment and testing for the destination installation.

Our repair or replace guide helps frame the equipment decision. The installation guide covers preparation for a new location.

Close the project records

  • Confirm the equipment’s final status and location.
  • Retain clearance, isolation and disposal records as applicable.
  • Update drawings for retained ducts and services.
  • Check that affected room ventilation has been reviewed.
  • Remove retired equipment from the active maintenance schedule through your normal process.

Use the laboratory ventilation guide to identify building-system interfaces. Keep the responsible team involved until the remaining installation is accepted for its intended operation.

Discuss the equipment scope before work starts

Send the cupboard identification and proposed retirement or reuse plan. We can discuss the extraction-equipment interfaces with your project team.