Biosafety cabinets are specialized lab equipment commonly found in labs across the country. In this article we tackle the most common questions about biosafety cabinets.
What Is A Biological Safety Cabinet Used For?
A biological safety cabinet's sole purpose is to protect lab workers and the surrounding environment from potentially harmful biological materials. Before air is ejected or recirculated, it runs through a HEPA filter to pull bacteria and viruses from the air.
How To Use A Biological Safety Cabinet
Set up the workspace so that you work from clean to dirty
Work at least 4 inches inside the front grill
Be careful not to overcrowd your biological safety cabinet
Do slow direct movements to minimize airflow disruption
Reduce foot traffic near the cabinet when in use
How To Clean A Biological Safety Cabinet
Disinfect and wipe down all reusable items before removing them. Clean interior surfaces in this order: ceiling, front wall, back wall, left wall, right wall, work surface. Then clean the exterior from top to bottom.
How Often To Certify
Biological safety cabinets should be certified when installed and at least once every year according to OSHA. If moved for any reason, re-certification is required before being put back into operation.
The Different Biosafety Cabinet Types
Class I: used for lower risk contaminants, no product protection
Class II: divided into A1, A2, B1, B2 subtypes, offers product protection
Class III: used for high risk contaminants, gas tight (glove boxes)
Biosafety Cabinet vs Fume Hood
A fume hood protects the user from chemical fumes. Biosafety cabinets protect both the user and the materials. Biosafety cabinets also utilize HEPA filtration systems while fume hoods do not.