NEBB Fume Hood Testing Program

 As more facilities are using fume hoods in their research laboratories, there is a demand for certified, competent contractors to make sure a facility's fume hoods are operating effectively. Certification in Fume Hood Testing will offer hospitals, laboratories, and educational facilities proof of technical knowledge and skills to test fume hoods for effectiveness. NEBB’s Fume Hood Testing Program certifies firms and qualifies individuals that meet criteria established by NEBB. 

NEBB's new Fume Hood Testing Program is based upon the current testing requirements of the ASHRAE 110 Standard and the performance criteria of ANSI Z9.5—some of the most respected standards in the Fume Hood industry.

Purpose of Certification Program

 The purpose of NEBB certification is to offer tangible proof of competent firms and supervisors qualified in the proper methods and procedures for the various categories of NEBB certification.

 Fume Hood Program Objectives

 The following objectives were created for this purpose:

 §       To establish industry standards, procedures and specifications for testing of fume hoods.

§       To set minimum educational standards and other requirements for the qualification of both supervisory personnel and technician personnel employed by firms who perform this work.

§       To establish educational programs for training supervisory personnel and technician personnel in the proper methods and procedures testing of fume hoods.

§       To certify as qualified for the performance and supervision of fume hood testing, those firms who meet the requirements for certification as established by NEBB, who agree to comply with the objectives of NEBB, and who employ supervisory personnel who have met the NEBB requirements of qualification.

§       To serve as a clearinghouse for educational and technical materials pertinent to fume hood testing work.  

Fume Hood Certification Requirements

 In order to become NEBB-certified in Fume Hood Testing, a firm must:

§       Be a NEBB-certified firm in TAB or Cleanroom or, be in the business of testing fume hoods.

§       Have operated for a minimum period of 12 months continuously with full time employees as a firm specializing in fume hood testing.

§       Enjoy a reputation for integrity and responsible performance.  Six letters of endorsement, five from consulting engineers, architects or building owners and the sixth may be from a contracting firm.  All should reflect work that the applicant firm has completed.

§       Be affiliated and in good standing with a local NEBB Chapter.

§       Possess the various instruments and equipment which are required; the local NEBB Chapter must visually confirm compliance.

§       Confirm in writing that it will conform to the NEBB guidelines for the calibration and maintenance of the instruments and equipment required.

§       Possess the current NEBB Procedural Standards for Fume Hood Testing.

§       Designate in writing one or more supervisors who will represent the firm and be responsible for the supervision of fume hood testing work.  The supervisor must meet the following minimum qualifications:

 QUALIFICATION FOR FUME HOOD SUPERVISORS 

 §       Be a NEBB Qualified TAB or CPT Supervisor, or be employed on a full time basis by a firm engaged in the business of performing fume hood testing.  

§       Demonstrate knowledge of Fume Hood Testing by passing the appropriate written and practical NEBB examinations.

§       Hold a management position in the firm, be able to represent the firm on fume hood matters, and have a reputation of integrity with consultants and awarding authorities.

§       Meet all of the conditions in either one of the following categories (note that all requirements cannot be conducted concurrently):

1.      Have a minimum of five (5) years combined educational and supervisory experience in fume hood testing, or

2.      High School diploma, two (2) years field and supervisory experience in fume hood testing and attend the NEBB Fume Hood Supervisor Review Seminar

Fume Hood Recertification Requirements

Every two years, the local NEBB Chapter must verify continued compliance with NEBB certification requirements for each certified firm, as follows:

§       The firm must own the instruments and equipment required for Fume Hood certification which had been accepted or their replacements; the local chapter must visually confirm compliance.

§       The firm must submit records to verify their conformance with NEBB guidelines for calibration and maintenance of required instruments and equipment.

§       The firm must confirm in writing that they employ the designated supervisor(s) full time who previously met the NEBB requirements for Fume Hood qualification.

§       The firm must verify in writing that the designated supervisor(s) has attended at least one six (6) hour approved seminar or refresher course given annually or a total of 12 hours for 2 years.  If the firm is also a NEBB-certified TAB firm or a NEBB-certified Cleanroom firm, fulfilling the recertification requirements of those programs, fulfills the Fume Hood recertification requirements.  If the firm is only a NEBB-certified Fume Hood firm, the firm/supervisor may fulfill these recertification requirements by attending the local chapter’s annual recertification program, or by attending the NEBB Annual Meeting.  Other programs/seminars as sponsored by ASHRAE, IEST, SEFA, CETA or others may be fulfill these requirements, if the firm has received prior approval by the local chapter Technical Committee Chairman.  Other programs must be related to the field of TAB, Cleanrooms, and/or Fume Hood Testing.   

Fume Hood Written and Practical Examinations

Persons must meet the criteria for Fume Hood Supervisor to be eligible to take the NEBB examinations.  Marginal cases may be referred to NEBB by the local Chapter Technical Committee, including supporting documentation, for determination of eligibility.

§       Written examinations are normally conducted at the conclusion of the Fume Hood Supervisor Review Seminar.  To be eligible for qualification, a Fume Hood Supervisor must pass the written examination prior to taking the practical examination.

§       Candidate (non-NEBB Qualified) supervisors employed on a fulltime basis by firms engaged in the business of fume hood testing must also successfully complete a Fundamentals Written Examination covering TAB and Cleanroom general knowledge.

§       Practical examinations are prepared and administered by NEBB and are administered at the conclusion of the Fume Hood Supervisor Review Seminar. 

§       All candidates applying for NEBB Fume Hood Supervisor qualification have three years from their initial test date to pass all sections of the written and practical exam.  When this time period expires, the candidate must wait a period of at least two additional years before re-applying for qualification.

§       Retests of the written examination can be administered locally in conjunction with the NEBB National TAB exams held twice yearly.  Retests of the practical exams can be administered locally if a suitable fume hood facility is locally available.  The retest can only be administered by a NEBB approved Fume Hood Proctor.  

 Suspension

 A firm's certification shall automatically be suspended when the firm no longer meets all of the NEBB certification requirements.  The certification of a firm suspended may be reinstated by NEBB at such time as it again meets the requirements for certification.  The period of suspension may be no longer than one year at which time the firm will lose its certification automatically.

 A certified firm must notify the local NEBB Chapter in writing within ten days of the temporary or permanent loss of a designated qualified supervisor.

 Loss of Certification

 Certification may be terminated for failure of the firm to abide by the objectives and performance standards of NEBB.  Termination of certification by NEBB requires vote of the Board of Directors of NEBB provided that by similar vote the Board shall first find that certification is prejudicial to the best interests of the Bureau and provided further that the certified firm in question shall have had opportunity upon written notice of at least fifteen (15) days to show cause why the certification should not be terminated.

 INSTRUMENTS and EQUIPMENT FOR FUME HOOD CERTIFICATION

OWNERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

It is the responsibility of the NEBB-certified Fume Hood Firm to provide appropriate instrumentation and equipment that meets the minimum requirements as called for in the current edition of the NEBB Procedural Standards for Fume Hood Testing for use on a project.  Instrumentation and equipment used on a NEBB project shall be in proper operating condition and shall be applied in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. 

 INSTRUMENTATION and EQUIPMENT CRITERIA

 A NEBB-certified Fume Hood Firm shall possess instruments and equipment-- of the firm's choice -- for each function as identified in the current edition of the NEBB Procedural Standards for Fume Hood Testing.  Instruments and equipment shall comply with range, accuracy, resolution and calibration requirements as defined in the procedural standard.  

Information and data regarding accuracy of all submitted instrumentation and equipment for the stated functions shall be available from the manufacturer. 

The range, accuracy and resolution as reported by the instrument manufacturer shall be verified by a testing laboratory traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology or equivalent institute in countries other than the United States.   Calibration requirements for each function are specified and shall be met.  Some instruments and equipment may not require calibration.  However, if a "mechanical/electrical" device is substituted or employed, the indicated calibration requirements noted shall apply.

 Firms with multiple sets of instrumentation shall calibrate all instrumentation used by the firm on Fume Hood projects in accordance with the procedural standard requirements.

APPROPRIATE APPLICATION OF INSTRUMENTS 

Instruments shall be used in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations.  The most suitable instrument, or combination of instruments, should be employed for a particular measurement or reading.