Besides providing a highly improved
safety device to the researcher, and saving the owner considerably more
energy than a VAV system, the following is a list of some of the other
benefits of this new breakthrough technology:
1. The 70% first cost savings
in the mechanical system design literally makes the fume hoods free.
2. The
operational energy cost savings afforded by the VFV fume hood is equivalent
to operating a VAV fume hood with the sash closed all the time.
3. Hourly air change rates are
reduced to a level that matches the normal cooling demands.
Space temperature conditions
are improved and worker complaints are eliminated.
4. To
achieve the energy savings promised with VAV systems, sashes must be
closed and complicated controls must function at all times. VFV requires
no user interface, fume hood sashes can be in
any position and it is based on simple and dependable constant volume
control.
VFV eliminates risky diversity factor designs.
5. VFV fume hoods require 1/4
the amount of static pressure of conventional fume hoods
which translates into the quietest
fume hoods available.
6. A standard
6' VAV fume hood requires a 12" connection, while the
VFV bi-stable vortex fume hood requires only a 10" connection.
7. Mechanical space can be reduced
by at least 50%, which improves the net to gross area efficiencies.
The smaller
amount of mechanical equipment translates into lower supporting structural
members and costs.
8. The
VFV fume hood controls and alarm system are factory installed, prewired,
and commissioned
with an exhaust manual balancing damper and single source responsibility.
The VAV system,
however, is field installed, wired, and commissioned with multiple source
responsibility.
9. Constant volume systems are
easier to balance and commission
than the elaborate variable volume systems presently
employed.
10. The
VFV fume hood alarm monitors fume hood performance by monitoring the
strength of the
bi-stable vortex. It's like equipping every fume hood with a tracer
gas test operating on a continual basis. This is a priceless feature
for fume hood users and their families.
11. Easy access for mainentance
purposes.
- Lights are able to be serviced from the front
of the Vortex II.
- Services are extended to the top the Vortex
II for easy installation and maintenance.
- All the services valves and electrical outlets
are accessable through the front of the Vortex II.
The removable the face plates make it easier to access the services
on the Vortex II, whether it be, maintenance or the addition of new
services.
(The removable front access panels that
expose the services in the Vortex II
diminishes the need to tear down a fume hood in order to gain access
to its services.)
12. The industrial quality counter
balance weights and sheaves are in the front. Why? All maintenance items
are in the front. This is the only fume hood where the lights, cables,
power, controls are accessible without crawling over the ceiling. All
other fume hoods must be totally removed by disconnecting all plumbing,
ductwork and power, just to repair the cable/weight system.
13. Fume
Hoods are manufactured using angle, unistrut construction. The liner
is used to make the fume hood square. This construction method was marginally
acceptable when the liner was made from asbestos, but not now when the
liner is made from resin. The fume hood manufacturers only talk about
flame spread, but never burn through! Factory mutual (FM) tests fume
hoods for destruction and only our hood remains standing after testing.
Why? Our fume hood is the only one made where the liner is backed by
steel! All fume hoods should be made this way to protect the facility,
worker and laboratory design professional. However, we are the only
ones to do it right!
14. Combination
Sash (Horizontal + Vertical) Why? The horizontal sash provides the worker
the ultimate in safety. The horizontal window is like providing side
shields to safety glasses! The window can be positioned to be a full
body shield and horizontal operation is less susceptible to walkby disturbances.
The horizontal sash allows the taller and shorter worker full access
to the fume hood without fully opening the vertical window. The laboratory
design professional has no way of knowing what will be used within the
lifetime of the fume hoods. If the user chooses to use vertical windows,
they can, but then the user takes the risks not the laboratory design
professional.
