Technician performing the containment test the fume cupboard workstation evo

Device services, Cleanroom services

Containment test for fume cupboards

It’s the robustness of containment system that assures the containment

Lifecycle: Commissioning Maintenance

Test the safety of your laboratory fume hood efficiently – Robot-Assisted, mobile, and in just 10 minutes

Does your lab fume hood really remove all hazardous substances? A simple airflow measurement isn’t enough. SKAN has developed a robot-assisted testing procedure that simulates operational movements during the test. Within just 10 minutes, leaks and numerous other parameters can be reliably recorded, quickly, flexibly, and comprehensively.

Field of application

Versatile application: SKAN conttest tailored to specific areas

Laboratory fume cupboards

Testing the extraction safety during regular operation
Safety weighing cabinets

Safety and functional testing during daily workflows
Standing enclosures / cupboards

Efficient control of airflow and protective performance

Benefits

Your advantages with the SKAN conttest

Robot-assisted testing

Simulates realistic operator movements for highly precise and reproducible results.
Fast execution

Complete test cycle in just 10 minutes – ideal for efficient routine checks.
Comprehensive analysis

Detects leaks and captures multiple relevant safety parameters for a complete performance assessment.

Technicians analysing the test results of the containment test

Focus on the future

Efficient, Environmentally friendly test for laboratory fume cupboards

The leak test uses an eco-friendly tracer gas to reliably detect faulty installations. Over-ventilated fume cupboards are accurately identified, airflow rates adjusted, and valuable building energy is saved over the long term—precise, sustainable, and efficient.

Feature for Sustainable Aspects of the Equipment

Frequently asked questions

The conttest determines the amount of a harmful substance that escapes when a unit is half-open. It determines the concentration of a substance in the air inside the fume cupboard as well as on the “body” and “arms” of an operator, directly at the work area. From the raw data, the containment performance is determined as a performance class from 0 to 3. This patented test provides a clear understanding of the current performance of fume cupboards and instils confidence in occupational safety.
The test system uses a more environmentally friendly solvent.

It also employs a human-like dummy which tests the environment using standard robot movements, which simulate the movement typical of someone working in a fume cupboard. Measurements are then taken at nose, chest and abdomen height to determine if any substances are escaping from the fume cupboard. The test result is printed out on-site, ensuring operators are adequately protected during their routine work at the fume cupboard.
The SKAN conttest mobile measuring station is specifically designed for this purpose and delivers fast measuring times. At least 8 fume cupboards can be measured per day using this method.
It is not yet officially included in EN 14175, but we are currently working on this.

In the meantime, for environmental reasons, we do not want to use SF6 as a fluorinated greenhouse gas according to Swiss environmental guidelines. Therefore, in 2023, the SKAN conttest was officially validated as the first European alternative test to the SF6 tracer gas test described in EN 14175-3. This validation was carried out by an external, certified testing laboratory.

The test had to reliably demonstrate compliance with the Swiss EKAS 1871 containment robustness limit of 0.65 ppm SF6. For this reason—and for many other practical considerations (see above)—the conttest is an ideal installation and routine test for all types of laboratory fume hoods, both old and new.

Case Story

Inspecting fume cupboards for maximum laboratory safety using a robot-assisted test procedure | INNLAB AG

To ensure that their fume cupboards are leak-free and that operators are protected, INNLAB opted for SKAN Conttest.
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