Define the review and its limits
Agree who is carrying out the review, which equipment is included and what can be observed safely. Use the cupboard instructions and your laboratory procedures to set the scope and timing. Technical measurements and intrusive checks belong with the people authorised to perform them. Familiarity with the fume hood air path helps identify which visible components to record.
Our fume hood maintenance guide connects this record with routine care, service attendance and testing. Keep the checklist with the asset history so the next person can see what changed.
Begin with the building, room, asset number, cupboard model, date and reviewer. Add the associated fan identifier from existing records if it is available; the review does not require access to a roof or plant area.
Use a repeatable condition record
Record a clear observation for each applicable item. Mark an item as not checked when it falls outside the agreed scope, and give any follow-up action to a named person.
| Area | Record from a safe position | Follow-up information |
|---|---|---|
| Identification | Asset label, model and room match the register. | Missing or conflicting identifiers. |
| Visible condition | Damage, corrosion, cracked glazing or damaged seals that are visible. | Location and a safe-to-take photograph. |
| Working space | Clutter, stored materials or apparatus affecting the intended air paths. | Responsible laboratory contact and task involved. |
| Operator information | Visible instructions, sash labels and displayed status. | Exact wording of any abnormal indication. |
| Documents | Latest service and test records, due tasks and outstanding actions. | Record owner, missing document and next action. |
This record captures condition and administration. Performance testing establishes information that a visual review cannot provide; use our fume cupboard testing page for that separate enquiry.
Write findings that someone can act on
Describe what you see without assigning an unconfirmed cause. “Lower-left sash seal visibly damaged” gives a technician a clearer starting point than “poor extraction”. Where a displayed indication is involved, copy its wording and record when it was observed.
Use one row per finding: observation, equipment ID, person notified, action owner and status. Keep the original observation when an action is updated, rather than overwriting the history.
If the cupboard alarms or its safe operation is in doubt, follow the local stop-work and reporting procedure. Arrange review by the responsible person before affected work continues. The fault-reporting guide helps organise the information for service support.
Close the record after follow-up
Attach the service findings or test report to the same asset record. Record what was completed, any remaining restrictions and who confirmed the next step under your site arrangements.
A checklist works best when outstanding actions are visible to both laboratory and facilities teams. Review open items when scheduling the next attendance, and retain the documents after the work is closed.
When booking fume cupboard servicing, share this record and explain any contamination or access arrangements. That gives us a useful starting point for discussing the visit.