Choosing a Fume Cupboard Service Provider – 5 Key Questions

October 24th, 2025

Last updated: October 24th, 2025

When that fume cupboard service reminder pops up, it’s tempting to just rebook and forget about it. But not all providers are the same. A poor choice doesn’t just waste money—it risks your lab’s safety and compliance.

Your job is to find a provider that actually understands your needs. That starts with knowing what to look for.

Tailoring the Service to Your Sector

First things first, not all labs are the same. Your lab’s world dictates what you need from a service.

• Schools & Universities – You need a provider who understands CLEAPSS G9 and can work around the academic clock. Holiday and weekend slots are a must.
• Pharma & R&D – For you, it’s about data integrity and keeping the science running. Your reports need to stand up to audit, and downtime has to be minimal.
• Industrial Labs – Your cupboards get heavy use. You need a team used to heavy-duty systems who can spot wear on fans and ducting before it stops your production line.

Your Pre-Service Checklist

A bit of prep makes all the difference. Here’s how you can get the most out of your service visit:

1. Clear the decks – Move all chemicals and equipment away from the cupboards. The engineer needs full access.
2. Talk to your team – Ask lab staff if they’ve noticed any issues, such as strange noises, smells, or poor airflow. It gives the engineer a head start.
3. Find the paperwork – Dig out the last service report. It helps to spot any trends.
4. Book a point of contact – Make sure someone’s around to let the engineer in and answer initial questions.

Simple, but it turns a routine check into a genuinely productive session.

The 5 Questions to Ask Before You Hire

Right, down to business. Before you sign anything, get clear answers to these 5 questions.

1. “What specific tickets do your engineers hold for fume testing?”

Don’t settle for a vague “we’re qualified.” A generic HVAC ticket isn’t enough for this specialist job. You need a team with proven, specific competency in BS EN 14175 standards. Ask to see evidence of their engineers’ training and certification for this precise task. A provider that can’t immediately confirm this specialist accreditation may be applying a one-size-fits-all approach that leaves you exposed.

2. “What will I actually get in the report?”

A passing certificate is one thing. Actionable insight is another. The real value of a proper fume cupboard service lies in the report. Does it simply state “pass” or “fail,” or does it give you a detailed log of airflow readings, face velocity tests, and a clear condition assessment of the cabinet and ducting? You need documentation that not only satisfies the COSHH regulations but also helps you plan your maintenance budget and spot trends over time.

3. “What happens if a cupboard fails its test?”

This question separates the proactive from the reactive. A failure is a critical event. Do they just hand you a fail certificate and leave, or do they have the capacity to provide an immediate diagnosis, a fixed-price repair quote, and the skilled engineers to conduct the fume cupboard repair on the spot? The speed and clarity of their response in a failure scenario is the ultimate test of their commitment to your safety and operational continuity.

4. “Can you handle the whole job, from new installs to old kit?”

Servicing is just one phase. A truly valuable partner can assist across the entire lifespan of your equipment. This includes verifying the performance of a new installation, managing complex fume cupboard ducting repairs, and ensuring safe decommissioning. A provider with this breadth of experience understands how the system ages and can spot issues that a routine service might miss. It transforms them from a vendor into a long-term partner for your laboratory’s safety.

5. “How will you avoid shutting my lab down?”

Laboratories run on tight schedules. A service visit that brings research to a halt for days is not a solution. Probe their project management. Do they offer out-of-hours or weekend slots? Will they provide a clear plan for isolating and testing each unit with minimal impact? Their answer will reveal how much they understand the operational pressures of a live R&D or teaching environment. The goal is a service that upholds safety without bringing productivity to a standstill.

Choose Robinsons Facilities Services

Choosing the right provider is a strategic decision. It’s about selecting a partner whose expertise, processes, and reporting give you complete confidence in your laboratory’s compliance and the safety of everyone who uses it.

Ready to see the difference a specialist partner can make? Contact Robinsons Facilities Services to discuss our accredited fume cupboard servicing and transparent compliance reporting.