SIST EN 14175-2:2003

SIST EN 14175-2:2003 is the Slovenian adoption of EN 14175-2:2003 from CEN for general purpose fume cupboards. It specifies safety and performance requirements, dimensions, marking, and the content of the product manual for cupboards used to contain hazardous laboratory emissions and protect the operator.

What does SIST EN 14175-2:2003 specify?

SIST EN 14175-2:2003 defines the baseline for general purpose fume cupboards, including how they are built, identified, and documented. It also points to EN 14175-1 for vocabulary, prEN 14175-3 for type testing, and EN 12469 for microbiological safety cabinets.

The standard is organized into clauses 1 to 11 and informative Annex A, followed by a bibliography.

SIST EN 14175-2:2003 does not cover recirculatory filtration fume cupboards or fume cupboards for radioactive materials. For special purpose fume cupboards, other requirements may apply.

What are the key requirements of SIST EN 14175-2:2003?

SIST EN 14175-2:2003 sets the design and safety features that a general purpose fume cupboard should have in use. The main points are about containment, safe construction, sash control, airflow indication, services, and the documentation that must accompany the product.

• Clause 4 - Dimensions: The cupboard width shall be a multiple of 100 mm, with preferred widths of 1200 mm and 1500 mm, and the depth shall be between 600 mm and 1200 mm. In practice, this helps manufacturers and buyers plan replacement or integration with laboratory furniture, while still allowing custom dimensions by agreement.
• Clause 5 - Safety and performance objectives: The cupboard shall prevent hazardous airborne contaminants from escaping, remove fumes efficiently, and protect the user against splashes and flying particles. In practice, the design must support containment, not just enclosure.
• Clause 6 - Materials: Materials must withstand mechanical, chemical, and thermal stresses and must not be easily combustible. Glass components and the sash must use suitable safety glass or plastics so the operator has both visibility and protection.
• Clause 7.2 - Construction: The workspace shall be enclosed, side-wall sashes to the room are not permitted, and openings between adjacent cupboards shall be closable. The work surface must be flat, have a raised front edge, and withstand a 2000 N load on a 120 mm x 120 mm area without damage or deformation.
• Clause 7.3 - Sash: The operational sash opening is limited, the sash stop must prevent over-opening, and vertical sashes must not fall if one suspension device fails. Powered sashes must allow manual override and stop if obstructed, which matters directly for operator safety and injury prevention.
• Clause 8 - Airflow: An air flow indicator shall show correct functioning before use, and it shall provide audible and visual alarms for incorrect operation. This gives the user a direct check that extraction is working as intended.
• Clauses 9 to 11 - Services, manual, marking and labelling: Outlets, drainage, electrical sockets, and lighting are controlled, and the product manual must cover construction, installation, operation, safety, maintenance, spare parts, and the type test report. The cupboard also needs warning signs and an identification plate, so users can operate and maintain it correctly.

What terms does SIST EN 14175-2:2003 define?

SIST EN 14175-2:2003 uses the vocabulary from EN 14175-1, and the following terms are central to the document.

• Fume cupboard - A protective laboratory enclosure designed to contain pollutants and remove them by inward airflow.
• Sash - The transparent front closure between the operator and the workspace.
• Work surface - The internal surface that supports apparatus and must resist load and spills.
• Baffle - An internal airflow-related component that must be easy to clean and fixed in its original position.
• Air flow indicator - A device that shows correct airflow and warns when operation is incorrect.
• Type test - A test on one example of a production model in a test room to check the design against the standard.
• IP44 - The minimum protection level required for some electrical sockets exposed to spill risk.

Who uses SIST EN 14175-2:2003?

SIST EN 14175-2:2003 is used by fume cupboard manufacturers, laboratory equipment designers, test laboratories, and conformity assessment bodies. Buyers, laboratory managers, and safety or quality staff use it to specify safe cabinet features, required documentation, and evidence of conformity.

It is also relevant when planning installation and maintenance, because it sets expectations for services, access to equipment, markings, and the product manual.

Which standards are used with SIST EN 14175-2:2003?

The document relies on several companion standards and references:

• EN 14175-1:2003 - provides the vocabulary and terms and definitions.
• prEN 14175-3:2003 - provides the type test methods used for conformity evaluation.
• EN 14175-4 - the companion part for on-site test methods named in the series.
• EN 12469 - applies to microbiological safety cabinets.
• EN 13150:2001 - provides additional safety requirements for laboratory workbenches used in the safety clauses.
• EN 12600:2002 - gives impact classification for glass components.
• EN 13792 - covers colour coding of taps and valves in laboratories.
• EN 60529 - provides the IP code used for electrical socket protection.
• EN ISO 12543-1 - provides definitions for laminated glass and laminated safety glass.
• EN 292-1 and EN 292-2 - apply to powered sash movement and machine safety principles.

What does the SIST EN 14175-2:2003 document contain?

SIST EN 14175-2:2003 contains the main requirements for dimensions, construction, materials, airflow, services, manual content, and marking. It also includes Annex A with recommendations for conformity evaluation, including type testing on one production-model example, the type test report, and the certificate of conformity or supplier’s declaration.

The document also gives guidance on identifying a fume cupboard type for type testing, including which changes may keep a cupboard within the same design family. That matters in practice when manufacturers update a model and need to decide whether a new test is necessary.