6/19/2015

Biosciences eastern and central Africa – International 
Livestock Research Institute (BecA‐ILRI) Hub
Mobilizing biosciences for Africa’s development

Laboratory Management and Equipment

Operations Workshop.

Rwanda Agricultural Board.

(RAB)-Rubona Station.

15th-19th June-2015.

SAM CHIERA.
BecA‐ILRI Hub
Nairobi, Kenya
15‐19 June, 2015

BIOLOGICAL SAFETY CABINET. BIOLOGICAL SAFETY CABINET - INTRODUCTION.

¾This is an enclosed, ventilated laboratory 
workspace.
¾Mainly used for safely working with materials 
contaminated with pathogens (anything that 
can cause/produce disease).
¾It is usually in a negative pressure for 
containment purpose.

Types of BSC. Types of Classes.

¾BSC are classified in three classes. ¾Class I. 
¾They are categorized in three ways of  ¾Class II.
protection. ¾Class III.
¾Level of personnel protection.
¾Level of environmental protection 
¾Level of product protection.

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Classifications. Class 1.

¾Class I.  cabinets provide personnel protection 
but no product protection and 
Classification Biosafety Level Application
environmental.
low to moderate risk
Class I 1, 2, 3 biological agents ¾this class are either ducted (connected to the 
low to moderate risk
building exhaust system) or unducted 
Class II 1, 2, 3 biological agents (recirculating filtered exhaust back into the 
Class III 4 high risk biological agents laboratory).

BSC-CLASS I. Class II

¾Class II cabinets provide both kinds of 
protection of the samples and of the 
environment.
¾makeup air is also HEPA‐filtered (High 
Efficiency Particulate Air).
¾These are further classified as Type A1,Type 
A2,Type B1,Type B2.
¾Each type's requirements are defined by NSF 
International Standard 49.

BSC-CLASS II Type A1 (class II).

¾ The Type A1 cabinet has a minimum inflow velocity 
of 75 ft./min. 
¾ The filtered makeup air is divided equally over the 
work surface at about two to six inches above the 
work surface. 
¾ Exhaust is drawn at the bottom of the cabinet where 
it rises to the top.
¾ At the top of the cabinet, 70% of the air recirculates 
through the supply HEPA filter, the other 30% of air 
exhausted through the exhaust HEPA filter.

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BSC-CLASS II TYPE A I Type A 2 (class II).

¾Has a minimum inflow velocity of 100 ft/min.
¾A negative air pressure plenum surrounds all 
contaminated plenums that are under 
positive pressure.

BSC-CLASS II TYPE A II Type B1 (class II).

¾The Type B1  cabinets have a minimum inflow 
velocity of 100 ft/min.
¾ These cabinets must be hard‐ducted to an 
exhaust system( In contrast to the type A1 
and A2 cabinets, 60% of air from the rear 
grille is exhausted and only 40% is 
recirculated).

BSC-CLASS II TYPE B I Type B2 (class II).

¾ Type  B2 cabinets have a minimum inflow 
velocity of 100 ft/min
¾ Type B2 cabinet is expensive to operate because 
no air is recirculated within.
¾ this type is mainly found in such applications as 
toxicology laboratories.
¾ cabinets of these types generally monitor the 
exhaust flow, shutting off the supply blower and 
sounding an alarm if the exhaust flow is 
insufficient.

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BSC-CLASS II TYPE B II Class III.

¾Class III cabinet, generally only installed in 
maximum containment laboratories.
¾Specifically designed for work with BSL‐4 
pathogenic agents, providing maximum 
protection (A pathogen is anything that 
causes a disease).
¾The enclosure is gas‐tight.
¾All materials enter and leave through a dunk 
tank or double‐door autoclave.

Cont. BSC-CLASS III.

¾ Gloves attached to the front prevent direct 
contact with hazardous materials.
¾These cabinets are sometimes called glove 
box.
¾ Provide a physical barrier between biological 
agents and personnel.

BSC- CLASS III Biological Safety Cabinet Testing & Validation.

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Certification. When.

¾A Biological Safety Cabinet MUST be ¾Initial Installation.

certified. ¾Moved or Relocated.
¾ must be performed by experienced, ¾After a Major Repair.
qualified personnel. ¾Annually.
¾On-site testing following the
recommendations for field testing
[NSF/ANSI 49-2011.

Types of tests. Types of certificates.

¾down flow velocity.

¾ inflow velocity.
¾airflow smoke patterns.
¾filter leak.
¾light intensity.
¾Vibration.
¾noise level
¾ UV light integrity

Thank you

Samuel Gakuha Chiera
Engineering Technician
ILRI Nairobi Kenya Engineering Department
s.chiera@cgiar.org 

Mobilizing biosciences for Africa’s development
http://hub.africabiosciences.org