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FAQ & Glossary

Frequently Asked Questions

Terminology or Abbreviation What it stands for or meaning Significance and Implication
High Purity or Cleanline 99.9% Purity Gas services Some specific projects will use gas services with High purity.
RO , DI , Demin water Reverse Osmosis This service is different from normal Hot or cold water, so must be picked up if applicable.
De-ionised
Demineralised
Process Water Flow and Return or Chilled Water Self Explanatory This is a closed loop system for recirculating Process Water and is very commonly used in Fume cupboards. Generally operates at 14 degree C
High Vac High Pressure Vacuum As opposed to normal Vacuum which is low pressure vacuum, some fume cupboards may call for High Vacuum. While there is no difference in the price This is important to note on the Manufacturing worksheet as the correct Hoses need to be ordered suitable for High Vac.
BMS or BMCS Building Management System OR Building Management Control System This relates to DDC (Direct Digital controls) system used to control, monitor various equipment in Buildings.
Low Level DDC This relates to the use of DDC Inputs / Outputs for communication between equipment.
DI is Digital Input where the signal only has a Yes/No option (e.g. Heat Detector, Remote isolator etc)
DO is a digital Output where the signal only has a Yes/No Option (e.g. On/Off status, Fault status etc)
AI is an analogue input where the signal is a variable range signal (e.g. 0-10V or 4-20mA)
AO is an analogue output signal where the signal is a variable range signal (e.g. 0-10V or 4-20mA)
HLI High Level Interface This relates to high level data interface for BMS communication between equipment.
Various languages used in the market are:
MODBUS
BACNET
LONWORKS
 HEPA High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance This relates to filters.
HEPA filters are suitable for some fume applications but the suitability and selection must be confirmed by the specialist filter company
AC carbon Activated Carbon Filters These filters are suitable for chemical absorption but the suitability and selection must be done by the specialist filter company
UPS Uninterrupted Power Supply Used very often as Back up Power in case of Mains Power Failure
Bag In- Bag Out Refers to Bag In – Bag Out Filters Mainly used in Highly contaminated / Radio isotope Areas Systems
To allow Filter Replacement without bypass. Whole filter Box has 2 HEPA filters in series to allow new filter to be placed in Position before bagging the old filter and taking it out.
Essential Power and Non-Essential Power Mains Power feed which is also Generator backed up.
Used to denote Power Supply to Essential Services.
Consequently other supplies are called Non-Essential.
e.g Fume cupboard may have 2 power supplies
1 x Essential Power Supply to feed Controls/VSD/Fan
1 x Non-Essential Power Supply to feed the GPO’s
EMC or EMI Electromagnetic Compatibility or This relates to electronic equipment and components with the intent of reducing interference with other electronic or electrical equipment in the vicinity.
Electromagnetic Interference General covered by:
AS/NZS 61000
AS/NZS 4251.1
Australian Communication and Media Authority
C-Tick Mark
ROHS Reduction of Hazardous substances These guidelines relate mostly to the reduction of Lead and other substances used in the manufacture of Electronic components (PCB’s etc)
EWIS Early Warning Information System Generally relates to Fire Trade and is used as part of the fire strategy in the building.
It may be that the Heat Detector activation in the fume cupboard may call for an Output signal from the Fume cupboard controls which may be used in the EWIS Fire strategy.
SS Stainless Steel Exhaust ductwork  or worktops or chambers etc are sometimes specified to be in Stainless Steel.
There are a few different SS grade e.g. #304 or #316 as Stainless Steel
Cladding Discharge Stack cladding Some specs call for the PVC Discharge Stacks to be clad with Stainless Steel mainly for Aesthetic reasons
Ceramic Some Users prefer One Piece Ceramic Worktops if they will be doing high temperature work or personal worktop preference based on previous experience etc.
HVAC Heating Ventilation AirConditioning Abbreviation
TEFC Totally Enclosed Fan Cooled Mainly applies to Motors used on Exhaust Fans
Manifolding Combining of Fume cupboard Exhaust ducts to be served by a common Fan This is now allowed by AS2243.8 so will come up more often in the design of the systems.
This involves special features to be suitable for a manifold exhaust design.
Intumescent Fire Damper Fire damper installed in Fire wall to maintain Fire separation When a duct passes through a fire wall (i.e. a wall which separates 2 different fire compartments), then there must be a Fire Damper installed in the wall penetration. The duct then connects to both sides of the Fire damper.
The only Intumescent Fire Damper Certified for fume cupboard application we currently know is the Kilargo IFD-OSS model.
The principle is:
In normal Operation the fire damper is open thus allowing air to pass through
In case of Fire the internal grid of the Fire damper expands to close off the penetration thus maintaining Fire separation between the compartments.
GPO and DGPO General Power Outlet or Double General Power Outlet More commonly known as a power point is technically referred to as a ‘socket outlet’. It’s also less commonly referred to as a GPO, which stands for ‘General Purpose Outlet’ or ‘General Power Outlet’
RCD Residual Current Device An RCD, or residual current device, is a life-saving device which is designed to prevent you from getting a fatal electric shock if you touch something live, such as a bare wire. It can also provide some protection against electrical fires. RCDs offer a level of personal protection that ordinary fuses and circuit-breakers cannot provide.
VSD Variable Speed Drive Variable Speed Drives (VSDs), also known as adjustable speed drives, are exhaust fan electric motors whose speed can be adjusted by means of an external controller. They are used in process control and help saving energy in laboratories that use fume cupboards
VAV Variable Air Volume Depending on the position of the sash opening, the fan motor speed controlled by the VSD (see above) either speed up or slow down to adjust the air quantity needed for the fume cupboard. This option is usually enabled to help saving energy in laboratories.
CAV Constant Air Volume The exhaust fan speed runs at a fixed set constant speed thus providing fixed air flow. The option is generally used to maintain negative pressure in a room
Sub Duct Refer to AS1668.1 about sub duct. If approved by the fire engineers, it consists of 1m of horizontal stainless steel duct, 1 x 90 deg stainless steel bend and 0.5m of vertical stainless steel duct
Terminology or Abbreviation What it stands for or meaning Significance and Implication
 ESD Environmentally Sustainable Design or If the Project Specification calls for compliance to ESD , it means that various special design requirements have been included in the project specification to meet the targeted Environmental Rating. Fume cupboard systems have a significant impact on energy consumption or Environmental impact in buildings e.g
Ecologically Sustainable Design PVC Minimisation or PVC used must be compliant to Green Star requirements
Energy consumption targets therefore special features on Fume cupboards
BEP Best Environmental Practice Relates mainly to PVC used in Buildings.
Stipulates requirements for Best Practice guidelines for PVC in the Built Environment.
If this has been strictly stipulated in the project Specification, then we must use PVC from approved sources who can provide this BEP Approval.
Green Star Environmental rating This is a Rating method for Green Environmental Design of Buildings ( Most used in Australia and come up by Green Building Council of Australia.
Ranges from 1 star to 6 star Rating.
If 5 star or 6 Star Rating is targeted then the design will have very specific requirements for Energy Efficiency and Environmental sustainable features
NABERS National Australian Built Environment Rating System This is another Rating method for Green Environmental Design of Buildings ( Most used in Australia )Ranges from 1 star to 6 star Rating.
If 5 star or 6 Star Rating is targeted then the design will have very specific requirements for Energy Efficiency and Environmental sustainable features
LABS21 Labs for the 21st century Mainly Used in America this is an Energy Efficiency Benchmarking Tool which advises on Environmental initiatives in New Buildings
GBCA Green Building Council of Australia This is one of Australia’s main bodies operating in the Green Environmental Sustainability Space
VOC or TVOC Volatile Organic Compounds OR Mainly relates to Environmentally sustainable Paints and coatings used in new Buildings and Building components.
Total Volatile Organic Compounds Relevant Standard
Australian Environmental Labelling Association Standard AELA 23-2005
EEGO Energy Efficiency in Government Operation Policy The 1997 Govt Policy measures for Improving Energy Efficiency in Commonwealth Operations updated in 2006.
EMP Environmental Management Plan Many New Large projects will want to know what is Dynaflow’s position relevant to:
ISO14001
NSW Environment Management System Guidelines ( 1998 or 2007 )
Waste Management Practices for — Cardboard , Timber , Metal , Soft Plastics , Polystyrene , Insulation , Concrete , Glass , Bricks. This is particularly important with Packaging Material that goes to site
MEPS Minimum Energy Performance Standards This applies to Electrical equipment and Particularly Fan Motors
Australia implemented MEPS1 in 2001
Current Standard is MEPS 2 implemented in 2006
All motors = and > than 0.75Kw must comply with MEPS2
COVID-19 / Coronavirus Infectious Disease Please refer to the news link for Dynaflow’s response to COVID-19.
Terminology or Abbreviation What it stands for or meaning Significance and Implication
 Cleanroom This classification shows the Class of Air Cleanliness of the Area Many Fume cupboard instalations are located in laboratories which are also classified as Cleanrooms. However Cleanrooms have various levels of Cleanliness and also various countries have different ways of classifying Clean Rooms.
When determining :
1. Check International  Air Classes of Cleanrooms and
2. Cleanroom Levels which require special design for Fume cupboards
 PC2 or PC3 etc  This Classification shows the Physical Containment of the Area  Reference Standard is AS/NZS 2982.1:1997 – Laboratory Design and Construction – part 1 – General Requirements
Physical Containment Levels relate to Microbiological laboratories , Animal Accommodation , Plant Houses and Insectaries and since many fume cupboards are located in in these labs , our Fume cupboard systems must comply to the requirements of the relevant PC level.
Class 1 Zone 1 or Class 1 Zone 0  This Classification refers to the Hazardous Classification of the Area Fume cupboards are used in various industries which mean that the fume cupboard or the Exhaust fan could be located in various Hazardous areas. The Classification of the Area is termed by Class or Group and by Zone.
Special attention is to be given for:
Class 1 or Group 1  and  Zone 0 or Zone 1
However note that the AS/NZS 2430.3.6:2004 standard on Classification pof Hazardous Areas has a section on Fume cupboards which clearly distinguishes between a Fully compliant Fume cupboard system and a Non-Compliant System.
DDA Designed for Disabled Access Equipment must be suitable for use by a Disabled Person typically a wheelchair sitted User of a Fume cupboard.
AS 1428.2 applies and shows various access limitations which then imply that our equipment must satisfy these requirements.
Bushfire Ember Screens Requirements for Bushfire Prone Areas Mainly impacts above Roof installation
Duct may be nominated to be in Stainless Steel
2mm SS Screen at top of Discharge stack to prevent fire embers from coming into the duct system  ( in accordance with AS3959 Construction of Buildings in Bush Fire Prone Areas)
Room Pressurisation Method by which certain pressures are maintained in various rooms relative to adjacent areas . Labs may be maintained at -ve or +ve pressure depending on type of work being conducted.
This is the most common method of maintaining relative cleanliness of adjacent areas and avoiding cross contamination Pressure differential  is maintained by difference in supply air and Exhaust Air into the room. Fume cupboard exhaust air used as part of total exhaust exhaust air from the room.
BCA or NCC “Building Code of Australia” or now called Stipulates requirements for various types of Buildings for relevant Occupancy and Use Type.
“National Construction Code” Unless there is an Approved Alternative Engineering Solution , The requirements of the BCA or NCC must be met.
Fire Compartments Refers for Fire compartments in Buildings Main Standard which applies here is AS1668.1.
Many large buildings or multiple level buildings are separated into Fire compartments for Fire safety. i.e Design measures are put in place to prevent a fire from one compartment spreading to another compartment.
Since our FC exhaust ducts pass through the building or through Risers etc, it is important to ensure that our systems meet the Fire separation requirements are well.
RI Radio Isotope If Fume cupboard is designated for low level Radio Isotope application, then AS2243.8 allows for general Purpose fume cupboards to be used with some special features as shown in AS2243.8.
It is important for us to pick this when reading the Spec as there are cost and design implications for the fume cupboard  ( lead lining etc )
Infill Panels Infill Panels, Shroud, Pelmets, Bulkheads all refers to the partition above the fume cupboard and the room ceiling, which helps to conceal the ductwork and to meet PC2 requirement
Terminology or Abbreviation What it stands for or meaning Significance and Implication
SCH Dynaflow School Type Fume Cupboard Single Sided Dynaflow SCH
DSCH Dynaflow School Type Fume Cupboard Double Sided Dynaflow DSCH
GRP Dynaflow Glass Reinforced Plastic (Fibre Glass) Type Fume Cupboard Dynaflow GRP
PER Perchloric – Dynaflow GRP fume cupboard for Perchloric Chemical usage Dynaflow PER
ME Mist Eliminator Type Fume Scrubber (Top mounted on the fume cupboard, fully inside in the laboratory) Dynaflow ME
CS Combined Type Fume Scrubber, generally located on the roof or plant room Dynaflow CS
MK5, P-5, Mark 5 All referred to Dynaflow Dynasafe Fume Cupboard Control Panel 5th Generation Built-in 44 Function and generally found on Dynaflow fume cupboard make after 2009
MK3, P-3, Mark 3 All referred to Dynaflow Dynasafe Fume Cupboard Control Panel 3rd Generation Generally found on Dynaflow fume cupboard make between 1992 and 2009
Terminology or Abbreviation What it stands for or meaning Significance and Implication
NATA National Association of Testing Authority Third Party Accreditation Body, https://www.nata.com.au/
SAI Global Third Party Certification and Accreditation Body, https://www.saiglobal.com/
TGA Therapeutic Goods Administration Governs the Pharmaceutical space
OGTR Office of Gene Technology Regulator Sets requirements for work done with Genetic Modification research
CIBSE Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers Guidelines on Commissioning Methodologies in HVAC
PCA Principle Certifying Authority This is the Building Owner’s Agent who is authorised to give the final Occupancy Certificate  or Re-certification for the Building.
He normally requires all mandatory requirements of the BCA NCC confirmed by the relevant trades.
FC trade ( Fire Damper Installation Certification ) and
FC exhaust confirmation if part of Fire Strategy.
BCA or NCC Building Code of Australia or National Construction Code The BCA and NCC is mentioned is the WHS Act and Regulation so these are the minimum requirements to be met in any building construction
AS2243.8:2014 Australian / New Zealand Standard 2243 part 8, Fifth edition 2014 Australian / New Zealand Standard 2243 part 8, 2014 Safety in Laboratories Part 8: Fume cupboards
AS2243.9:2009 Australian / New Zealand Standard 2243 part 9, Third edition 2009 Australian / New Zealand Standard 2243 part 9, 2009 Safety in Laboratories Part 9: Recirculating Fume Cabinets
Terminology or Abbreviation What it stands for or meaning Significance and Implication
 Fume Hood Fume Cupboard Many End Users / consultants who have come from overseas will call a Fume cupboard a Fume Hood
 ASHRAE American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Airconditioning Engineers  Since the fume cupboard is a ventilated piece of equipment, most of the requirements were written up by ASHRAE as handbooks
e.g The ventilation requirements of Fume cupboards is in ASHRAE 110
SEFA Scientific Equipment and Furniture Association (America) In America, Fume cupboards have been thought of as Scientific Equipment and Furniture in a Lab, so this association is quite involved in the Fume cupboard industry
 NFPA  National Fire Protection Authority (America)  Since fume cupboards have fire risk more than other furniture in labs, The NFPA has some minimum requirements for fume cupboard systems. These are set out in various NFPA codes in America.
However with more and more American and Canadian End Users/consultants being associated with projects in Australia and Asia you will notice reference to NFPA
EN  European Norms These are the new European standards.
Many of the individual country standards like British Standards BS, or DIN etc are being standardized across Europe as EN Standards
BS British Standards Now slowly being standardized as EN

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