Exposure Control Devices

What are Exposure Control Devices?

Exposure control devices, or ECDs, describes all ventilated engineering controls designed to protect the health of the user during lab and non-lab procedures and processes. ECDs protect users from a variety of hazardous materials:

Hazardous vapors and gases (chemicals)
Particulate matter (wet or dry) - dust, shavings, powders, and welding processes
Heat

Below are examples of common ECDs found on UK campuses. ECDs can be designed to work specific for a lab, therefore, having a unique identification. the name is defined by it's opening type, exhaust purpose, and/or how it is positioned.

Snorkel/Exhaust Arm	Canopy Hood
Animal Transfer Station	Bench Spray Booth
Glove Box	Slot Hood
Welding Exhaust Arm	Barrel Filling Hood

Standards Below are various standards applied to the exposure control device auditing process.

These standards are utilized as a tool to the architectural designs and ECD manufacturer guidelines.

Air Cleaning Devices

Air cleaning devices are not generally required for laboratory fume hoods, and may not be used without approval of the directors of Environmental Management and Occupational Health & Safety departments.