distillation hood

Walk-In Fume Hoods: When Your Lab Needs Floor-Level Access

April 24, 2026April 24, 2026 Marketing Manager

Standard benchtop fume hoods work for most chemistry applications, but what happens when your apparatus is too tall to fit inside a 48″ hood opening? That’s where walk-in fume hoods come in.

Walk-in fume hoods (also called floor-mounted fume hoods) have sashes that extend to the floor, creating a full-height opening that allows researchers to work with oversized equipment while maintaining complete fume containment.

When Do You Need a Walk-In Fume Hood?

• Tall apparatus: Distillation columns, reflux setups, and reactor systems that exceed standard hood height
• Floor-standing equipment: Drum handling, large-scale reactions, or equipment too heavy for a benchtop
• Loading/unloading: Operations that require rolling equipment in and out of the hood
• Pilot plant work: Scale-up reactions that need containment but use equipment too large for standard hoods
• Perchloric acid work: Some perchloric acid setups require walk-in configurations with wash-down systems

Walk-In Fume Hood Specifications

Specification	Standard Range
Width	48″ – 96″
Depth	30″ – 48″
Height (opening)	72″ – 84″
Face velocity	80 – 100 fpm
Exhaust volume	800 – 2,500 CFM
Sash type	Vertical, horizontal, or combination

Sash Options

• Vertical sash (full-height): Slides up to the full opening height. Provides maximum access when raised and maximum protection when lowered.
• Horizontal sliding sash: Panels slide left and right. Allows access to portions of the hood while keeping the rest protected. Better energy efficiency.
• Combination: Vertical sash with horizontal sliding panels. The most flexible option — vertical sash controls opening height while horizontal panels control which section is open.

HVAC Considerations

Walk-in hoods require significantly more exhaust capacity than standard benchtop hoods:

• A standard 6′ benchtop hood exhausts approximately 800–1,200 CFM
• A 6′ walk-in hood can require 1,500–2,500 CFM due to the larger face area
• Your building’s air handling system must be evaluated before specifying a walk-in hood
• Make-up air requirements increase proportionally

Our lab design team coordinates with your HVAC engineer to ensure proper airflow. Browse all fume hood types →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a walk-in fume hood cost?

Walk-in fume hoods range from $8,000–$25,000 for the hood unit. Installation including ductwork, services, and electrical typically adds $10,000–$25,000. Total installed: $18,000–$50,000+.

Can I convert a benchtop hood to walk-in?

No. Walk-in hoods are purpose-built with different structural, airflow, and sash designs. They must be specified from the start. However, some manufacturers offer convertible models with removable bench sections.

Are walk-in hoods less safe than standard hoods?

When properly designed and used, walk-in hoods provide equivalent containment. The key is maintaining adequate face velocity across the larger opening. This requires higher exhaust volumes and may require additional baffles for uniform airflow.

Get a Walk-In Fume Hood Quote

Tell us about your apparatus and application, and we’ll recommend the right walk-in hood size, sash type, and ventilation requirements.

Request a walk-in hood quote → or call (801) 999-8277.