Basic Documentation

Applicable Definitions (Alphabetical Listing)
Siemens Industry, Inc. 3
Term Definition Commentary
ASHRAE 110 Test
Standard
This is a very comprehensive series of test procedures that was very painstakingly
developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning
Engineers, Inc. over many years for the purpose of determining the performance of
bench type fume hoods. These tests can be used to quantify a fume hood’s
performance under three conditions: As Manufactured (AM), As Installed (AI) and As
Used (AU).
• AM tests are intended to be conducted in a ‘test room’ at the fume hood
manufacturer’s facility and will reveal a specific fume hood’s performance under
tightly controlled room conditions. An AM test would be expected to provide the
most favorable results since it is conducted under nearly ideal conditions that would
probably not exist in an actual laboratory. AM tests can provide a performance
comparison for different models of fume hoods provided they are all tested in the
same facility or under exactly the same identical test conditions.
• AI tests are intended to be conducted in a newly constructed or renovated
laboratory room. The laboratory room must be fully ‘setup’ and have all furniture,
fixtures, fume hoods and permanent test equipment in place. The laboratory should
be ready for occupancy and usage (but not yet be occupied or in use.) The
laboratory ventilation system must be in full operation with all required testing,
balancing and adjustments properly completed. The laboratory room’s ventilation
control system must also be fully checked out and properly functioning. The fume
hoods should have their baffles properly adjusted and not have any contents. An AI
test thus includes all influences of the actual laboratory room and the test results
will likely reflect the most favorable functionality for a given fume hood in the room.
• AU tests are conducted in a laboratory room that is currently in actual use and will
thus reflect the influences of all laboratory room conditions and situations. For
instance, the laboratory ventilation system performance may have degraded from
when an AI test was performed. Fume hood baffles may no longer be in proper
adjustment and the chemicals and apparatus in the fume hoods may not be
positioned in accord with best safe usage practices. These and other factors that
exist in the room can adversely impact fume hood containment. The AU test results
may indicate a substantial degradation in fume hood performance and can thus be
indicative of the need to correct ventilation system functional deficiencies and
improper fume hood usage practices.
The full compliment of ASHRAE 110 tests
requires a substantial investment in test
apparatus and extensive ‘know how’ to
properly conduct the tests and interpret the
results. ASHRAE 110 tests are normally
conducted by experienced specialists in fume
hood testing and not by the laboratory
occupants or fume hood users themselves.
The ASHRAE 110 Tests do not have a ‘pass
or fail’ or set of acceptance criteria for the
individual test results. Rather they provide
specific procedures to obtain functional data
that can be used to compare one fume hood to
another (as do the AM Tests). Most
importantly, they enable periodic examination
(as do the AU Tests) to ascertain whether or
not acceptable overall performance still exists
or if performance has substantially
deteriorated to the point where remedial action
must be taken.
Individual ASHRAE 110 Tests include:
• (6.1) Face Velocity Measurements
• (6.2) VAV Face Velocity Control Test
• (6.3) VAV Response Tests
• (7.1) Flow Visualization
• (7.2) Airflow Patterns
• (7.3) Local Visualization Challenge
• (7.4) Large Visualization Challenge
• (7.5) Smoke Evaluation
• (8.0) Tracer Gas Tests
• (8.2) Peripheral Scan
• (8.3) Sash Movement Containment Test
(See ASHRAE 110 Tests for a description of
each of these tests.)