Butler University’s Renovation with Filtered Fume Hoods, 3 Years Later

James Hill, BSA LifeStructures
Kenneth Crooks, Erlab

In the fall of 2011, Butler University surprised many in the lab design domain by installing (27) filtering fume hoods in their organic chemistry and general chemistry teaching laboratories at Gallahue Hall. The renovation project addressed several shortcomings due to building age and substantial growth within the Chemistry program. Now, three years later, the instructors, students and facilities personnel continue to be thrilled with the performance of the labs and filtering fume hoods.

This discussion will present the many lessons learned during and after the fast track renovation project, the maintenance costs and performance over time of the filtering fume hoods (Type DHIII as defined in SEFA 9 Recommended Practice) and peer benchmarking metrics will be used.

On site interviews with the instructors and facility personnel have been conducted to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. Maintenance costs, including filter replacement and disposal, periodic sensor replacement and general fume hood repairs will be presented. Additionally, energy cost avoidance will be discussed.

Student and Instructor feedback regarding lessons learned, new approaches to storage and unexpected consequences of seemingly unrelated design decisions will be explored. Additionally, the challenges of how to take advantage of a project being under budget will be discussed.

Learning Objectives

  • Review lessons learned in a fast-track lab renovation project including changing storage needs, lab bench spacing when occupancy more than doubles and how to react when a project comes in under budget.
  • Assess and plan for the design and operational impacts, both positive and negative, of using filtering fume hoods.
  • Calculate the operational costs of tripling the total linear feet of fume hood sash length while significantly reducing the total exhaust.

Biographies:

Jim provides leadership to the laboratory design studio with an expertise in the planning, programming, design and management of science and research facilities. He adds value to his clients' projects through a broad understanding of the technical issues, support systems and emerging trends associated with complex laboratory environments. Working collaboratively within the interdisciplinary laboratory studio, his team has created several high performance LEED certified and registered facilities.

Ken has over 25 years of experience in commercial and industrial HVAC industries. He is Director of GreenFumeHood Technology at Erlab in Rowley, MA which produces world-leading research-grade filtering technologies for fume hoods and laboratories. Previously, Ken worked at Phoenix Controls, Aircuity and Munters Corporation. Ken is a member of ASHRAE, I2SL and SCUP, serves as Vice-Chair on SEFA Board of Directors and his education includes Northeastern and Lesley University.

 

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