Biological Safety Cabinets

The biological safety cabinet (BSC) is designed to provide protection to the product, the user, and the environment when appropriate practices and procedures are followed.

WARNING: Do not use fume hoods or clean benches for biohazardous materials work.  Fume hoods are designed for work with chemicals, are not designed to protect biological materials and are extremely difficult to decontaminate.  Clean benches are intended to protect the research product, not the worker.

Purchase recommendation: Several kinds of BSCs are available, divided into classes (I, II, and III) and types (A, B, C). Laboratory Safety recommends Class II, Type A2 cabinets. Class II cabinets are designed to protect the research material as well as the worker and the environment. Both the supply air and the exhaust pass through a HEPA filter. There are four types of Class II cabinets. Class II Type A2 cabinets (formerly labeled Type A/ B3) have a number of design features that make them more useful in research laboratories than other Class II cabinets. Also, if a Type A2 cabinet is vented to the building exhaust system via a properly functioning canopy (thimble) connection, it can be used with minute amounts of toxic chemicals.

Certification: The certification process ensures that the BSC is working as designed. Annual recertification is required for all BSCs used for work with biohazards, and is the responsibility of each user or the user's department. Contact any NSF 49 Certified vendor for certification.

Moving: BSCs must be gas-decontaminated by a certified professional prior to moving. To obtain this service, contact the vendor you use for certification and maintenance.

Installation: Choose a location away from pedestrian traffic, doors, and air currents generated by room ventilation — all of which can disrupt airflow. Because even small moves can disturb the HEPA filter, the cabinet must be recertified after installation at the new location.

For more information about biosafety cabinets, see Primary Containment for Biohazards: Selection, Installation and Use of Biological Safety Cabinets from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

NSF 49 CERTIFIED VENDORS:  BSCVendors