Labconco Paramount 6963400 4' Ductless Enclosure – Used and Refurbished
The Labconco Paramount 6963400 is a 4-foot ductless filtered enclosure designed to provide localized containment of compatible chemical vapors, fumes, and particulates without requiring connection to a conventional building exhaust system. Also commonly described as a ductless fume hood, the Paramount uses application-specific carbon filtration and can be configured with HEPA filtration for compatible particulate applications.
The Labconco 6963400 combines a spacious 4-foot work area with electronic airflow control, filter monitoring, vapor detection, an LCD status display, and an ergonomic glass sash. Because filtered air can be returned to the laboratory rather than continuously exhausted outdoors, the Paramount can provide an attractive alternative to a conventional hard-ducted chemical fume hood for appropriate applications.
This configuration is designed for 115 V, 60 Hz operation and uses Labconco's application-specific Paramount filtration system. Carbon filters are available for organic vapors, formaldehyde, acid gases, ammonia and amines, radioisotope applications, and other compatible chemical procedures. HEPA filtration can also be incorporated when particulate capture is required.
Proper filter selection is essential. A ductless enclosure should only be used after confirming that the chemicals, quantities, concentrations, evaporation rates, and procedures involved are compatible with the installed filtration system.
This Labconco Paramount 6963400 is used and refurbished by American Instrument Exchange. AIE technicians inspect and test the enclosure before shipment to verify blower operation, airflow controls, alarms, lighting, sash operation, monitoring functions, and other installed features. The enclosure is thoroughly cleaned and includes a 90-day warranty.
Key Features
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Labconco catalog number 6963400
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Paramount 4-foot ductless filtered enclosure
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115 V, 60 Hz electrical configuration
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No permanent external exhaust duct required for normal ductless operation
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Application-specific carbon filtration capability
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99.99% efficient HEPA filtration capability for compatible particulate applications
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Smart-Flow airflow control system
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Safety-First vapor sensing and filter monitoring
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LCD message center
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Digital touchpad controls
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Filter-life and filter-check alarms
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Audible and visual low-airflow alarms
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ECM blower/impeller technology
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Clean-Sweep airfoil
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Upper dilution air supply
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Upper containment sash foil
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Zone-perforated rear baffle
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Tempered safety glass sash and side panels
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Used and refurbished by American Instrument Exchange
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90-day warranty included
Overview
The Labconco Paramount 6963400 is designed for laboratories that need chemical containment but want to avoid the infrastructure requirements associated with a conventional externally exhausted fume hood.
A traditional chemical fume hood captures contaminated air and exhausts it outside the building. This typically requires dedicated ductwork, an exhaust blower, roof or wall penetrations, HVAC balancing, and sufficient replacement air for the conditioned laboratory air being removed.
The Paramount uses a different approach.
Room air enters through the front opening and sweeps through the enclosure. Contaminated air is directed through application-specific filtration before being returned to the laboratory.
For compatible procedures, this can dramatically simplify installation and make the enclosure much easier to relocate if a laboratory layout changes.
Because the exhaust air is recirculated, however, correct application assessment and filter selection are critical.
Common Applications
The Labconco Paramount 6963400 can support chemical weighing and transfer, limited solvent handling, formaldehyde procedures, compatible acid-gas applications, ammonia and amine handling, pharmaceutical research, quality-control procedures, histology workflows, forensic laboratory procedures, chemical preparation, analytical sample preparation, and other applications appropriate for ductless filtered containment.
When configured with the appropriate HEPA filtration, the enclosure can also support compatible particulate-generating procedures.
Not every chemical or procedure is appropriate for a ductless hood. The specific application should be evaluated before the enclosure is placed into service.
Ideal Laboratory Types
The Paramount 6963400 is well suited to biotechnology laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, chemical laboratories, quality-control facilities, pathology and histology laboratories, academic research facilities, teaching laboratories, contract research organizations, forensic laboratories, environmental testing laboratories, industrial laboratories, and other facilities requiring flexible localized containment.
Ductless operation can be particularly useful in leased laboratory spaces, laboratory incubators, renovated buildings, and facilities where adding new exhaust infrastructure would be difficult or expensive.
Key Specifications
| Specification |
Details |
| Manufacturer |
Labconco |
| Product Family |
Paramount |
| Catalog Number |
6963400 |
| Equipment Type |
Ductless Filtered Enclosure / Ductless Fume Hood |
| Nominal Width |
4 ft |
| Filtration |
Application-Specific Carbon and/or HEPA |
| HEPA Efficiency |
99.99% |
| Carbon Filter Options |
Application-Specific |
| Airflow Control |
Smart-Flow |
| Vapor Monitoring |
Safety-First Vapor Sensor |
| Status Display |
LCD Message Center |
| Controls |
Digital Touchpad |
| Airflow Alarm |
Audible and Visual |
| Filter Monitoring |
Filter Life / Filter Check |
| Sash |
Tempered Safety Glass |
| Side Panels |
Tempered Safety Glass |
| Frame |
Powder-Coated Aluminum |
| Rear Plenum / Baffle |
Steel |
| Lighting |
Pre-Wired Fluorescent Lighting |
| Electrical |
115 V, 60 Hz |
| Condition |
Used / Refurbished |
| Warranty |
90 Days from American Instrument Exchange |
Ductless Chemical Containment
The Paramount 6963400 provides localized containment without requiring contaminated air to be continuously discharged outdoors.
The blower draws room air inward through the front sash opening. This inward airflow helps prevent compatible contaminants generated within the enclosure from escaping into the laboratory.
Air is then directed through the installed filtration system before being returned to the room.
For appropriate applications, this creates a self-contained chemical-containment workstation without the permanent duct connection required by a conventional fume hood.
Application-Specific Carbon Filtration
Activated carbon can adsorb many chemical vapors, but no single carbon formulation is appropriate for every chemical.
The Paramount platform therefore uses application-specific filters.
Labconco offers filtration intended for categories including organic vapors, formaldehyde/formalin, acid gases, ammonia and amines, and certain radioisotope applications.
Mixed filter configurations may also be appropriate for particular procedures.
Filter selection should be based on the actual chemicals used inside the enclosure rather than choosing a filter solely because it is labeled for general chemical use.
Organic Vapor Applications
Organic-vapor carbon filtration is available for compatible solvents and other organic compounds.
This can make the Paramount 6963400 useful for controlled handling of limited quantities of suitable organic chemicals without installing external ductwork.
Suitability depends on the specific solvent, quantity, concentration, evaporation rate, frequency of use, and expected filter loading.
Highly volatile materials, large quantities of solvents, unknown mixtures, or chemicals that are poorly adsorbed by the available filtration media may require a conventional externally exhausted fume hood instead.
Formaldehyde and Formalin Applications
Specialized carbon filtration is available for compatible formaldehyde and formalin procedures.
This can make the Paramount useful in histology, pathology, biomedical research, and other laboratories where limited formaldehyde handling is required.
The appropriate formaldehyde-specific filtration should be installed for these applications.
Laboratories should establish filter-monitoring and replacement procedures based on actual usage.
Acid Gas Applications
Application-specific filtration is available for certain acid gases.
The suitability of the Paramount for an acid-handling procedure depends on the chemical involved, concentration, quantity, volatility, heat generation, and other characteristics of the process.
The availability of an acid-gas filter does not mean that every acid procedure is appropriate for a ductless enclosure.
Large-volume, highly reactive, or otherwise unsuitable chemical procedures should be performed using the appropriate engineered containment system.
Ammonia and Amine Applications
Specialized filtration is also available for compatible ammonia and amine applications.
These compounds require appropriate treated filtration media because their adsorption characteristics differ from those of many organic solvents.
The correct filter configuration should therefore be established before the enclosure is placed into service.
HEPA Filtration Capability
The Paramount platform can incorporate 99.99% efficient HEPA filtration for compatible particulate applications.
HEPA filters capture airborne particles rather than chemical gases and vapors.
This distinction is important.
A HEPA filter should not be expected to remove solvent vapors, formaldehyde, acid gases, ammonia, or other gaseous contaminants. Likewise, a carbon filter intended for chemical vapors does not necessarily provide the particulate performance of a HEPA filter.
Applications involving both particulates and vapors may require an appropriate combination of filtration technologies.
Stackable Filter Configurations
The Paramount filtration system allows filters to be stacked when an application requires more than one type of compatible contaminant control.
This provides additional flexibility when procedures generate both chemical vapors and particulates or involve compatible mixed contaminants.
Stacking filters does not make the enclosure universally suitable for all chemical mixtures.
Every proposed procedure should still be evaluated according to the contaminants generated and the capacity of the selected filtration system.
Safety-First Vapor Monitoring
One of the important safety features of the Paramount is Labconco's Safety-First vapor-monitoring system.
Because filtered air is returned to the laboratory, carbon-filter breakthrough must be identified before significant contaminant concentrations can pass through the system.
The monitoring system is designed to provide an early indication that chemical vapor is beginning to penetrate the filtration system.
Users should never rely solely on odor as an indication of filter condition.
Filter-Life and Filter-Check Alarms
The Paramount includes filter-life and filter-check monitoring functions with audible and visual alarms.
These features help laboratories establish a more systematic filtration-management program.
Actual carbon-filter life varies considerably.
Chemical identity, concentration, evaporation rate, quantity, frequency of use, temperature, humidity, filter configuration, and other operating factors can all affect adsorption capacity.
The monitoring system should therefore be used together with an application-specific filter-management and replacement program.
Smart-Flow Airflow Control
The Paramount incorporates Labconco's Smart-Flow airflow-control system.
As filters accumulate contaminants, resistance to airflow can change.
The Smart-Flow system automatically adjusts motor speed within the operating range of the enclosure to compensate for changing resistance and maintain appropriate airflow.
This reduces dependence on a fixed blower setting and helps the enclosure maintain consistent containment as operating conditions change.
ECM Blower Technology
An electronically commutated motor provides electronically controlled blower operation.
ECM technology works with the Smart-Flow system to vary motor speed efficiently according to airflow requirements.
Electronic control also supports the enclosure's airflow-monitoring and alarm functions.
Low-Airflow Alarm
Maintaining adequate inward airflow through the sash opening is essential for containment.
The Paramount monitors airflow and provides audible and visual warnings when operating conditions fall outside the intended range.
A low-airflow alarm should be investigated before chemical work continues.
Possible causes can include filter loading, obstruction of airflow, incorrect sash position, blower problems, or other changes affecting enclosure performance.
LCD Message Center
An LCD message center provides operating information to the user.
The display allows technicians to monitor enclosure status and receive information related to airflow, filtration, and alarm conditions.
Providing this information directly at the workstation makes it easier for users to confirm normal operation before and during a procedure.
Digital Touchpad Controls
Digital touchpad controls provide convenient access to enclosure functions.
The control system integrates blower operation, lighting, monitoring, alarms, and status information into a centralized operator interface.
This provides a more sophisticated operating environment than a basic ductless enclosure equipped only with simple blower and light switches.
Clean-Sweep Airfoil
The Clean-Sweep airfoil helps guide room air smoothly into the enclosure.
The front edge of a containment device is aerodynamically important because sharp edges and obstructions can create turbulence.
The Clean-Sweep design helps establish smoother inward airflow at the work opening.
Users should avoid blocking the airfoil with equipment, paperwork, containers, or other objects during operation.
Upper Dilution Air Supply
The Paramount incorporates an upper dilution-air supply to help manage airflow within the enclosure.
The system introduces additional air near the upper portion of the work area, helping reduce stagnant regions and promoting contaminant movement toward the filtration system.
This works together with the front airfoil, sash geometry, and rear baffle to establish the designed airflow pattern.
Upper Containment Sash Foil
The upper sash foil is another component of the Paramount's aerodynamic containment design.
Air currents near the sash can be disrupted by operator movement, room ventilation, doors, and nearby equipment.
The sash foil helps guide air into the enclosure and reduce turbulence near the upper edge of the opening.
Zone-Perforated Rear Baffle
The rear baffle helps distribute airflow across the work area rather than concentrating exhaust at a single point.
This promotes movement of contaminants toward the rear of the enclosure and into the filtration system.
The baffle can be moved for cleaning but should be returned to its proper operating position before the enclosure is used.
Tempered Safety Glass Sash
The Paramount uses a tempered safety glass sash that provides clear visibility into the work area while maintaining a physical barrier between the operator and the interior.
The angled sash configuration also contributes to operator comfort.
Users should work at the designated operating sash position because sash height is an important component of the enclosure's containment performance.
Tempered Glass Side Panels
Tempered glass side panels provide additional visibility into the enclosure.
Clear side panels can improve ambient illumination and allow supervisors or other laboratory personnel to observe procedures without standing directly in front of the work opening.
They also make the interior feel more open than an enclosure with solid side walls.
Four-Foot Working Width
The 4-foot configuration provides substantial workspace for chemical preparation and analytical procedures.
The enclosure can accommodate balances, containers, racks, small analytical instruments, and other equipment needed for compatible laboratory processes.
Equipment should be positioned carefully so it does not obstruct the front airfoil, rear baffle, or designed airflow path.
Overcrowding any containment enclosure can negatively affect airflow performance.
Chemical Weighing
The Paramount can be useful for weighing compatible hazardous chemicals when the installed filtration system is appropriate.
A balance may be placed within the enclosure to provide containment during transfer and weighing.
For powders, particulate filtration may be necessary.
For volatile compounds, the appropriate carbon filtration should be selected.
The laboratory should also consider whether enclosure airflow is compatible with the sensitivity and readability requirements of the balance being used.
Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Applications
Pharmaceutical and biotechnology laboratories frequently perform small-scale chemical procedures that require containment but may not justify installation of an additional hard-ducted hood.
The Paramount 6963400 can provide a flexible workstation for appropriate solvent handling, chemical weighing, reagent preparation, formulation research, analytical sample preparation, and quality-control procedures.
Its 4-foot width provides enough space for many common benchtop workflows.
Histology and Pathology Applications
The availability of formaldehyde-specific filtration makes the Paramount platform relevant to certain histology and pathology workflows.
Compatible procedures involving formalin or related chemicals may be performed inside a properly configured enclosure.
The exact procedure, chemical quantity, frequency of use, and filtration requirements should be reviewed before operation.
Ductless Enclosure vs. Conventional Fume Hood
The primary difference between a Paramount and a conventional chemical fume hood is what happens to the captured air.
A conventional fume hood exhausts contaminated laboratory air outdoors.
The Paramount filters contaminated air and returns it to the laboratory.
The ductless approach can simplify installation and reduce the amount of conditioned building air being exhausted.
A conventional externally exhausted hood remains preferable or necessary for many applications, particularly those involving high chemical loads, unknown compounds, highly hazardous substances, procedures unsuitable for filtration, or significant heat generation.
Ductless Enclosure vs. Biosafety Cabinet
The Paramount 6963400 is not a biological safety cabinet.
A Class II biosafety cabinet is specifically engineered to provide biological containment using controlled HEPA-filtered airflow.
The Paramount is primarily designed around chemical vapor and compatible particulate containment using application-specific filtration.
Laboratories handling infectious biological materials should select the appropriate biological containment device for their work.
Ductless Enclosure vs. Laminar Flow Clean Bench
A ductless chemical enclosure should also not be confused with a laminar flow clean bench.
A clean bench provides HEPA-filtered air across the work surface primarily to protect the product or sample from environmental contamination.
The Paramount draws room air inward to help protect the operator from compatible contaminants generated inside the enclosure.
The two systems therefore have fundamentally different purposes.
Simplified Installation
One of the strongest reasons to choose a ductless enclosure is installation flexibility.
Installing a conventional fume hood can require dedicated exhaust ductwork, roof penetrations, an exhaust fan, HVAC balancing, make-up air, and significant building modifications.
The Paramount 6963400 does not require a permanent exhaust connection for normal ductless operation.
For an appropriate application, this can substantially reduce the complexity associated with adding chemical containment to an existing laboratory.
Flexible Laboratory Layouts
Ductless operation can also make the Paramount easier to relocate.
This can be particularly valuable for biotechnology startups, leased laboratory facilities, academic laboratories, shared research spaces, and other organizations where equipment layouts change frequently.
A conventional hard-ducted hood is effectively tied to its exhaust system.
A Paramount can be repositioned much more easily provided the new location meets the enclosure's electrical, environmental, clearance, and safety requirements.
HVAC and Energy Considerations
Conventional fume hoods can remove substantial quantities of conditioned air from a laboratory.
The building HVAC system must replace that air and condition the incoming replacement air.
Because the Paramount recirculates filtered air instead of continuously exhausting it outdoors, an appropriate ductless installation may reduce the HVAC burden associated with containment.
Actual energy savings depend on the facility, airflow rates, local climate, operating schedule, and other factors.
Selecting the Correct Filters
Filter selection is one of the most important steps when putting a Paramount 6963400 into service.
Laboratories should identify the exact chemicals that will be handled, their quantities and concentrations, frequency and duration of use, expected evaporation rates, and any reaction products generated by the procedure.
This information should be compared with Labconco's filtration recommendations before filters are selected.
The enclosure should not be used for a chemical simply because a generic carbon filter is physically compatible with the unit.
Filters on a Used Paramount
The filtration requirements deserve additional attention when purchasing a used ductless enclosure.
Activated-carbon filters have a finite adsorption capacity, and remaining capacity cannot reliably be determined by visual inspection alone.
If the history and remaining capacity of an installed carbon filter are unknown, laboratories should plan to install appropriate new filters before beginning chemical work.
Customers should confirm exactly which filters and accessories are included with this American Instrument Exchange unit before purchase.
Filter Replacement and Maintenance
Carbon filters must be replaced before breakthrough allows hazardous concentrations of vapor to pass through the filtration system.
Filter replacement intervals vary according to application.
Laboratories should combine the Paramount's monitoring features with documented procedures appropriate for the chemicals being used.
HEPA filters also require periodic evaluation and eventual replacement according to loading, performance, application, and laboratory requirements.
Application Assessment
A ductless enclosure is not a universal replacement for a conventional chemical fume hood.
Before using the Paramount 6963400, the laboratory should assess chemical toxicity, volatility, concentration, quantity, mixtures, reaction products, temperature, filtration capability, expected filter loading, and emergency conditions.
If contaminants cannot be reliably captured by the available filtration system, an appropriate externally exhausted hood or other engineered control should be used instead.
Refurbishment and Testing by American Instrument Exchange
American Instrument Exchange inspects and tests used ductless enclosures before shipment.
For the Labconco Paramount 6963400, AIE technicians evaluate blower operation, airflow controls, display functions, lighting, alarms, sash movement, monitoring functions, and other installed features. Glass panels, baffles, airfoils, interior surfaces, and exterior components are also inspected for condition.
The enclosure is thoroughly cleaned prior to shipment.
Because filtration is application-specific, customers should verify the filters supplied with the individual unit and select appropriate new filtration for their intended chemical procedures when necessary.
Why Buy a Refurbished Labconco Paramount 6963400?
The Paramount 6963400 provides a sophisticated chemical-containment platform without requiring the permanent exhaust infrastructure associated with a conventional fume hood.
Its 4-foot workspace, Smart-Flow airflow control, Safety-First vapor monitoring, application-specific filtration, filter alarms, digital controls, and flexible installation make it particularly attractive for laboratories performing compatible chemical procedures.
Purchasing a used and refurbished Labconco Paramount from American Instrument Exchange can significantly reduce the acquisition cost compared with purchasing a new ductless enclosure.
American Instrument Exchange tests and cleans the unit before shipment and includes a 90-day warranty.
Shipping and Installation
The Paramount 6963400 should be installed on a compatible work surface and base capable of supporting the enclosure and all equipment used within it.
The laboratory should provide appropriate 115 V, 60 Hz electrical service and sufficient clearance for safe operation, filter access, maintenance, and sash movement.
The enclosure should be positioned away from strong cross-drafts, frequently opened doors, high-velocity supply diffusers, and other airflow disturbances that could affect containment.
The system should be commissioned and evaluated according to applicable laboratory safety procedures before hazardous materials are handled.
Related Equipment
Laboratories considering the Labconco Paramount 6963400 may also require conventional chemical fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, laminar flow clean benches, laboratory balances, refrigerators, freezers, centrifuges, water baths, shakers, incubators, and other equipment used for chemical preparation, sample handling, and analytical workflows.
American Instrument Exchange supplies used and refurbished laboratory hoods, enclosures, biosafety cabinets, clean benches, and a broad selection of laboratory equipment for biotechnology, pharmaceutical, chemical, industrial, academic, clinical, and research laboratories.
Labconco Paramount 6963400 FAQs
What is the Labconco 6963400?
Labconco catalog number 6963400 is a 4-foot Paramount ductless filtered enclosure designed for compatible chemical-vapor and particulate containment applications.
Is the Labconco 6963400 a ductless fume hood?
Yes. The Paramount is commonly described as a ductless fume hood or ductless filtered enclosure.
How wide is the Labconco 6963400?
It is a nominal 4-foot-wide enclosure.
What voltage does the Labconco 6963400 require?
Catalog number 6963400 is configured for 115 V, 60 Hz operation.
Does it require an external exhaust connection?
Not for normal ductless operation. Contaminated air is passed through the appropriate filtration system and returned to the laboratory.
Does the Labconco Paramount use carbon filters?
Yes. Application-specific carbon filtration is available for several categories of compatible chemical contaminants.
What types of carbon filters can be used?
The Paramount platform supports filtration for applications including organic vapors, formaldehyde/formalin, acid gases, ammonia and amines, and certain radioisotope applications.
Can the Labconco 6963400 use HEPA filtration?
Yes. The Paramount platform can incorporate 99.99% efficient HEPA filtration for compatible particulate applications.
Does a HEPA filter capture chemical vapors?
No. HEPA filters capture particulates. Chemical gases and vapors require the appropriate application-specific chemical filtration.
Can HEPA and carbon filters be combined?
The Paramount platform supports stackable filter configurations for compatible applications requiring more than one filtration technology.
What is Labconco Smart-Flow?
Smart-Flow automatically adjusts blower speed within the operating range of the enclosure to help compensate for changes in filter resistance and maintain appropriate airflow.
What is the Safety-First vapor sensor?
The Safety-First system helps detect vapor breakthrough associated with carbon-filter saturation and provides warning information to the operator.
Does the 6963400 have an airflow alarm?
Yes. The Paramount includes audible and visual low-airflow warning capability.
Does it monitor filter life?
Yes. Filter-life and filter-check functions help operators manage filter maintenance and replacement.
Can the Paramount 6963400 be used with organic solvents?
It can be used with compatible organic-vapor applications when the correct filtration is installed and the specific procedure falls within the capabilities of the system.
Can it be used with formaldehyde?
The Paramount platform supports formaldehyde/formalin-specific filtration for compatible applications.
Can it be used with acid gases?
Application-specific acid-gas filtration is available for compatible procedures.
Can it be used with ammonia?
Yes. Ammonia-Amine filtration is available for appropriate applications.
Is every chemical suitable for a ductless fume hood?
No. Chemical compatibility, concentration, quantity, volatility, reaction products, and filter capacity must be evaluated before a procedure is performed in a ductless enclosure.
Is the Labconco Paramount a biosafety cabinet?
No. It is primarily a chemical containment enclosure and should not be treated as a substitute for a Class II biosafety cabinet when biological containment is required.
Is it a laminar flow clean bench?
No. A clean bench protects the sample with clean airflow. The Paramount is designed primarily to contain compatible contaminants generated inside the enclosure.
What is the advantage of the 6963400 over a conventional fume hood?
For appropriate applications, the Paramount can provide chemical containment without requiring permanent exhaust ductwork, offering greater installation flexibility and potentially reducing the HVAC burden associated with exhausting conditioned laboratory air.
Are filters included with this AIE unit?
Filter and accessory configurations can vary with used equipment. Customers should confirm exactly what is included with this specific unit before purchase.
Should old carbon filters be replaced?
If the usage history and remaining adsorption capacity of a carbon filter cannot be established, installing new application-specific filtration before chemical use is generally the appropriate approach.
Should the enclosure be tested after installation?
Yes. The system should be evaluated and commissioned according to manufacturer guidance, applicable requirements, and the laboratory's safety program before hazardous materials are handled.
Is this Labconco Paramount 6963400 refurbished?
Yes. This unit is used and refurbished by American Instrument Exchange.
How does American Instrument Exchange test the Paramount?
AIE technicians inspect and test blower operation, airflow controls, alarms, display functions, lighting, sash operation, monitoring functions, and other installed components before shipment.
Does this refurbished Labconco 6963400 include a warranty?
Yes. American Instrument Exchange includes a 90-day warranty with this refurbished Paramount ductless enclosure.
