Laboratory Management [GLT 301] FOURTH LECTURE
Vent: is an opening that allows air, gas or liquid to pass out of it into a complilled space.
Ventilator: is a machine for ventilating a room, building or can also be used to pump in air and out.
Ventilation: causes air to enter and circulate freely in a room, building or laboratory. Good general ventilation is essential in Laboratories to get rid of dust, fumes and gas burners. It is also necessary to reduce air contaminant such as body heat, body odour and excess carbon iv oxide so as to reduce the risk of infection from air-borne diseases.
Types of Ventilation
1. Natural ventilation: or natural method of ventilation are cheaper than mechanical means. It depends on proper positioning of the windows so that they do not create drought. The windows should be designed to deflect the incoming air upward.
Other simple methods include; the use of leber control luvers opening in walls. The luvers may be adjusted to avoid sunglares and when closed, they are rain proof.
At times roof ventilators are used which create suction and draw air from the roof irrespective of the direction of the wind as it passes over them.
2. Mechanical ventilation: this may be affected by the use of central ventilation system or local ventilation system. When making a choice between this two system, consider the ventilation problem applicable to the particular laboratory.
3. Central ventilation system: "is a one ventilation system which gives ventilation to an entire building, it is a mechanical device". Central system might be suitable for blocks consisting of Laboratories, presenting no special fumes or dust hazard, difficulties could be encountered when a number of laboratory with vary degree of hazard are involved which ever system is employed. Certain standard must be adressed as follows:
1. Chemical laboratory 4 - 15
2. Chemical store 5 - 10
3. Physical laboratory 3 - 15
4. Labs with obloscious fumes 15 - 30
5. Radioactive 5 - 30
6. Biology Laboratory 4 - 6.
4. Mechanical ventilation: involves use of fan which may force air in by a porportion system or draw out by a exttension.
5. Local ventilation system: this involves the use of fans or machines usually suitated in independent laboratories and it is usually used in conjunction with fume cube. This method is employed periodically with dangerous fumes or dust propeller. Pans may be used to change the air in the laboratory by placing them in the walls opposite windows.
6. Central ventilation system: this involve use of large ventilation plant (machine), they are relatively simple to maintain but requires heavy demand of space.
Importance of ventilation
1. It is used to get rid off into the atmosphere, the fumes off during normal bench work process.
2. It is used to remove air contaminant, body odours, body heat e.t.c
3. It is used to remove excess carbon (iv) oxide.
4. It is used to reduce means of infection from air-borne diseases.
5. It provides comfortable working temperature.