Purdue University

Chaney-Hale Hall of Science

After over two years of construction, Chaney-Hale Hall of Science at Purdue University opened for the fall 2020 semester. This state-of-the-art facility adjacent to the Elliot Hall of Music holds thirty-three labs and numerous support spaces that will house first-and-second year undergraduate chemistry and biology courses.

Challenge

Purdue chose to install Labconco hoods throughout the new space, including the Protector XL, Pass-Through, and ClassMate (especially suitable for organic chemistry). Of particular import when we’re discussing challenges is a feature that is excellent for teaching but comes with an extra degree of design difficulty: vertical rising marker boards that block the sash opening. 

Solution

While the functionality of these rising marker boards on select hoods is undoubtedly excellent for the space, especially for undergrad students to brainstorm and work in teams, balancing airflow presented a challenge.

To remedy this, Labconco added airfoils on the sides of the hoods where these vertical rising marker boards were present. Not only that, but they also reinforced the sturdiness of the equipment by adding heavy-duty brackets for optimum safety and to ensure performance longevity.

Benefit

The benefit is simple: Besides the fact that these undergraduate students now have access to a state-of-the-art dedicated biology and chemistry building designed with their ease of learning in mind, they can also rest easy knowing that underneath that careful design is an even deeper attention to safety. The additional airfoils on the hoods with marker boards maintain safe airflow while allowing maximum utility of the space—the goal of every successful laboratory project.

Installation: Apr, 2019