Protect your team from hazardous fumes, vapours and airborne contaminants with fume extraction solutions for laboratories, schools and industrial facilities across South Africa.
Technical guidance available
South African clean air specialists
B-BBEE Level 3 Contributor
JCA ISO 9001 Certified
You may know it as a fume cupboard, fume hood or fume extraction cabinet. In practice, these terms usually refer to a protected workstation that draws fumes, vapours and airborne contaminants away from the person working inside.
The common South African term for a laboratory extraction cabinet.
The common international term for similar laboratory equipment.
The technical product term for an enclosed cabinet built around controlled fume extraction and safer handling.
The best fume cupboard for your facility depends on your chemicals, your work process and the space available. Run through these seven points before specifying.
1
Start with the chemicals, fumes or vapours that need to be controlled.
2
Identify the environment — school, lab, research facility or industrial space.
3
Decide ducted or ductless — extracted outside, or filtered and recirculated.
4
Confirm the cabinet size, working height, sash requirements and available floor space.
5
Check whether specialist materials are needed for corrosive or hazardous fumes.
6
Plan for the long term — filter replacement, airflow checks and maintenance.
7
Get technical input before committing to a final fume extraction cabinet.
Once you know what the cabinet needs to handle, choose the right type. We supply ducted, ductless and specialist fume extraction cabinets for labs, schools and industrial spaces.
DUCTED
A ducted fume extraction cabinet for laboratories and facilities that need controlled removal of fumes and vapours from the working area.
DUCTLESS
A ductless cabinet for selected applications where filtration and recirculation may be suitable.
SCHOOL
A fume extraction cabinet designed for school science laboratories and education environments.
SPECIALIST WET SCRUBBER
A specialist cabinet for applications where corrosive or hazardous fumes may need additional treatment before discharge.
Send us your chemicals, room layout and use case — we’ll point you to the right cabinet.
A fume cupboard should match the environment, the chemicals being handled and the way people will use the cabinet. School labs, research facilities and industrial chemical areas may all need different setups.
For chemical handling, sample preparation, testing and research environments.
For science laboratories, practical demonstrations and supervised student work.
For controlled handling of chemicals, compounds and laboratory processes.
For fumes, vapours, dust, corrosive substances or airborne contaminants.
Where chemical fumes need to be captured and removed from the breathing zone.
Ducted extraction, ductless filtration, wet scrubbing or corrosion-resistant materials.
One of the most important choices is whether your fume cupboard should be ducted or ductless. The right answer depends on the chemicals used, the volume of fumes, the building layout and the level of risk.
| Feature | Ducted fume cupboard | Ductless fume cupboard |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Extracts contaminated air out of the building through ducting. | Filters air through suitable filter media and may recirculate it. |
| Best for | Regular, higher-risk or broader chemical use. | Selected lower-risk applications. |
| Installation | Requires ducting and discharge planning. | Usually simpler to install. |
| Chemical suitability | Can suit a wider range of applications when correctly designed. | Must be matched carefully to the chemicals used. |
| Maintenance | Airflow and extraction system checks are important. | Filter condition and replacement are critical. |
| Main risk if chosen incorrectly | Poor ducting or airflow can reduce protection. | Incorrect filter selection can compromise safety. |
The right fume cupboard is about more than the cabinet itself. Airflow, filters, materials and daily use all affect how well it protects the people using it.
Common mistakes that can reduce protection
For chemical handling, sample preparation, testing and research environments.
A ductless fume hood depends on the correct filter media. If the filter is not suitable for the chemicals used, the system may not protect users properly.
A cabinet can look correct but perform poorly if the airflow is not right.
Some applications need specialist materials, a wet scrubber or corrosion-resistant extraction components.
The cheapest option may not suit the chemicals, room layout, extraction route or long-term maintenance needs.
Special situations we can help with
For chemical handling, sample preparation, testing and research environments.
When the application may need specialist materials, wet scrubbing or corrosion-resistant components.
When a facility wants a ductless option but chemical compatibility must be checked first.
When the fume source is part of a production, testing or industrial process rather than a standard lab bench.
When the room layout affects cabinet size, ducting, airflow or service access.
When you want a technical review of equipment already installed before upgrading or replacing.
If you are not sure which option is right
Some chemicals or vapours cannot be safely filtered and recirculated. In these cases, a ducted cabinet or specialist extraction setup may be the better route.
The chemicals being used can affect the cabinet materials, filters, ducting and extraction components. A specialist setup or scrubber may be needed.
The best option is usually practical, durable and easy to use, with the right airflow setup for supervised teaching environments.
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Quality management for consistent processes and delivery.
Help with cabinet selection, application suitability and fume extraction requirements.
Across labs, cleanrooms, filtration, validations, biosafety cabinets and technical extraction.
Guidance on filters, airflow, maintenance and related clean air solutions.
Related solutions
The right fume cupboard is about more than the cabinet itself. Airflow, filters, materials and daily use all affect how well it protects the people using it.
Still unsure?
Send us your chemicals, room layout and use case — we’ll match you to the right cabinet.
If you are not sure which option is right
In many cases, the terms mean the same thing. “Fume cupboard” is commonly used in South Africa and “fume hood” is widely used internationally. Both describe an enclosed workstation that helps draw fumes and vapours away from the user.
A ducted fume cupboard is ideal when handling large volumes of hazardous chemicals, solvents, or toxic fumes. These systems extract contaminated air from the laboratory and discharge it safely outside the building. Ducted systems are often preferred for laboratories that require continuous use, high airflow performance, and compliance with strict safety regulations.
A ductless fume cupboard can be a cost-effective solution when external ducting is not practical. These systems use specialised filtration technology to capture contaminants before recirculating clean air back into the room. The suitability of a ductless system depends on the chemicals being used, airflow requirements, and filter compatibility. A risk assessment should always be conducted before selecting a ductless solution.
When working with acids, alkalis, or other corrosive substances, polypropylene fume cupboards are often recommended due to their excellent chemical resistance. Unlike traditional steel cabinets, polypropylene construction helps prevent corrosion and extends the lifespan of the equipment in demanding laboratory environments.