Field Testing of Class II Biosafety Cabinets

9 – 13 January 2023

• NADP Training, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Wiltshire

 Field Testing of Class II Biosafety Cabinets

Course Introduction

• NADP Training, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Wiltshire

 NADP Training & Biosafety Teams

Novel and Dangerous Pathogens Training

• Dr Jane Shallcross
• Prof Christopher H Logue
• Dr Suzanna Hawkey
• Bea Choi
• Rachel Fell

Biosafety
• Allan Bennett
• Simon Parks
• Tom Pottage

3
Field Testing of Class II Biosafety Cabinets © Crown Copyright, 2023
 Course Trainers
Prof. Christopher H. Logue
Christopher is a the International Training Lead for the Novel and Dangerous Pathogens (NADP) Training
Group. Christopher has developed, implemented and delivered several biosafety lab-related courses in
the UK, Central Asia, South America and West Africa. He is an honorary professor of Virology at Plymouth
University, and associate professor at USFQ, Ecuador. He leads several EU CBRN projects in Central and
Eastern Africa, S.E. Asia and is the Laboratory Capacity Building lead for Ethiopia in his role at the UKHSA
IHR Strengthening Project. Prior to working at UKHSA Christopher worked at the US CDC, were he had
several years experience working in BSL-3 and A-BSL3 laboratories. He is an NSF accredited Field
biosafety cabinet certifier.

Dr Suzanna Lewis
Suzanna is a qualified teacher and Biomedical Scientist and has worked in the training team for over 11
years developing and delivering training in Biosafety and Applied Microbiology to scientists in the UK and
Internationally. She developed and delivering training with the team for Ebola pre-deployment for over
300 laboratory staff volunteers to work in Sierra Leone during the outbreak of Ebola and was deployed to
Sierra Leone for a 5 week deployment. She has delivered training in South East Asia for the WHO,
Tanzania, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, India and Sierra Leone and also helped develop e-learning courses
which can be accessed from anywhere.

4 Field Testing of Class II Biosafety Cabinets © Crown Copyright, 2023

 Course Subject Matter Expert

Simon Parks
Simon is a Senior Biosafety Scientist specialising in bio-containment, aerobiology and
gaseous decontamination. Simon has been working in the Biosafety, Air and Water
Microbiology Group, based at PHE Porton Down for over 28 years. His considerable
experience includes providing technical input in to the design, installation and
validation of specialist high containment equipment and aerosol transmission
systems used within PHE. Simon has Type tested Biosafety cabinets for several
companies to EN12469. Simon is the SME on Biosafety cabinetry for this course.

5 Field Testing of Class II Biosafety Cabinets © Crown Copyright, 2023

 Novel and Dangerous Pathogens Training - Courses

Group established in 2003

Specialise in Microbiology Training

• High Containment Microbiology
• Biosafety & Biosecurity (CL3)
• Hazard Group 3 Bacterial Pathogens
• Virology Laboratory Techniques
• Molecular Biology
• Practical Laboratory Skills
• Hitchhikers Guide to Microbiology
• Train the Trainer
• Risk Assessment
• BSCII Field Maintenance (NSF)
• Microneutralisation Assay
• Whole Genome Sequencing (Nanopore)

Public Health England Staff training

International Training https://www.ukhsa-protectionservices.org.uk/nadp/courses/
Bespoke Commercial Training
6 Field Testing of Class II Biosafety Cabinets © Crown Copyright, 2023
 Participant Introductions

1. Name
2. Occupation
3. Previous experience with Biosafety Cabinets
4. What you want most to gain from this training
5. One interesting or unusual fact about you (e.g a hobby)

Field Testing of Class II Biosafety Cabinets © Crown Copyright, 2023 7

 Guidance Notes for the Safety Induction of
Visitors to UKHSA Porton Down
9 – 13 January 2023

• NADP Training, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Wiltshire

 Fire and Evacuation

• On hearing “Stand By For Further Instructions” NADP training staff will ensure that
the work area is made safe and secure and stand-by to evacuate, or follow any
alternative instructions.
• On NO account are visitors, contractors or staff to move between zones other than to
evacuate.
• On the instruction to “Evacuate” - ALL personnel are required to leave
immediately by the nearest fire exit.
• Evacuation assembly points, numbered 1-20, are located by the gatehouse on. All
visitors assemble at No. 1
• During any incident, ALL pedestrian and vehicle movement on/off the site is
restricted and no one will be allowed to enter or leave the site without the authority
of the Fire Action Group Co-ordinator.
• You must not re-enter the building for any purpose unless authorised to do so by the
Safety Co-ordinator or deputy.
9 Field Testing of Class II Biosafety Cabinets © Crown Copyright, 2023
 Fire and Evacuation

•Should you discover a fire yourself, inform a member of the NADP training team and
we will sound the nearest alarm and will inform the PHE operator of the exact location
of the fire.

•The Fire System will be tested on Tuesday at 10:50 hrs. Should the alarm be
continuous treat it as a real fire situation and follow the instructions given.

10 Field Testing of Class II Biosafety Cabinets © Crown Copyright, 2023

 Passes and restrictions
Passes
• Passes must be worn in a clearly visible position at all times when on site.
• Passes will be issued from the Gatehouse on a daily basis and must be returned at the end of the working day.
• Passes are NOT to be taken off site.

Cameras
• The use of cameras or binoculars on the site is not permitted. Leave photographic capable mobile phones at the
Gatehouse including Laptops with video conferencing facilities (or complete disclaimer).

Smoking/Vaping
• UKHSA operates a NO SMOKING or Vaping policy on most of the site. A smoking/Vaping hut is available hut is available at
the far end of the site from the main entrance and an area is available near the training facility

Telephone
• Mobile phones may interfere with sensitive equipment and therefore are only allowed to be used in the courtyard
outside the restaurant. If you need to use the UKHSA telephone system, please ask.

Food and Drink

• You can only eat or drink in the canteen, specified areas or water stations.

11 Field Testing of Class II Biosafety Cabinets © Crown Copyright, 2023

 Accidents and Emergencies

ALL accidents occurring on site, including near misses, must be reported to Safety
through their host/Line Manager.

For first aid please contact a member of the training team who will locate a trained first
aid person for you or contact Occupational Health.

Contact numbers:
Dial 444 - For all emergencies and ask for facilities required.
12555 - Security (Gatehouse)
12898 - Training Office

12 Field Testing of Class II Biosafety Cabinets © Crown Copyright, 2023

 Who is NSF International?

• NSF International is an independent, not-for-profit, non-governmental

public health and safety organization.
• Their mission and focus is to protect and improve human health
• With respect to biosafety cabinets, NSF maintains the American
National Standard (NSF/ANSI 49, also recognized globally), tests and
certifies BSC model lines, and tests and accredits BSC field certifiers

13 Field Testing of Class II Biosafety Cabinets © Crown Copyright, 2023

 NSF/ANSI Standard 49
Biosafety Cabinetry: Design, Construction, Performance,
and Field Certification

Purpose:
to establish minimum requirements...to protect personnel,
product, and the environment.

Specifies requirements for:

1) performance testing (model certification)
2) and field testing (certification of unit)

Most recent version: NSF/ANSI 49 - 2020

14 Field Testing of Class II Biosafety Cabinets © Crown Copyright, 2023

 NSF Biosafety Cabinetry Program

NSF’s program was established in three phases:

• Establishment of Joint Committee to provide input and
development of national standard
• Certification Program for biosafety cabinets – tested at
headquarters
• Accreditation Program for field certifiers of biosafety
cabinets (Enhanced & Basic Accreditation programs)

15 Field Testing of Class II Biosafety Cabinets © Crown Copyright, 2023

 What is Field Certification?

• Ensures airflow settings are correct

• Verifies HEPA filters are not damaged or loaded to
the point that the airflow balance is impacted
• Visualizes airflow with smoke tests
• Verification that alarms are functioning as intended
(sash height, exhaust airflow volume, etc)
• Some optional user-comfort tests
• Decontamination test is forthcoming in program

16 Field Testing of Class II Biosafety Cabinets © Crown Copyright, 2023

 Basic Accreditation Program

• Training addresses international standards, not just NSF 49 (i.e. EN 12469)

• A shorter, more concise written examination (Enhanced programme
requires experience (at least one year) on both type A and type B biosafety
cabinets)
• Fewer practical examination tests – no tests related to type B BSCs are
required
• Participants do not have to travel to U.S., nor are two training sessions
required as is typical under the Enhanced program
• Fewer pieces of test equipment are required - program allows alternate
methods for inflow velocity using more portable devices

17 Field Testing of Class II Biosafety Cabinets © Crown Copyright, 2023

Basic Accreditation Program - Requirements

• Training on biosafety cabinets (type A only, shorter time period)

• Passing results on both written and practical examinations (80/90)
• Annual proof of calibrated test equipment
• Signed ethics statement

Additional requirements:
• field certifiers submit a minimum of 5 test reports to NSF each year for review
and comment (no penalty for corrections)
• submissions will renew certificate for another year (up to 5 years, at which
time it can be renewed).

18 Field Testing of Class II Biosafety Cabinets © Crown Copyright, 2023

 Course Structure
Requested by MSF to deliver a 1 week course that allows for
testing of BSCIIs in laboratories by MSF staff in the field, to
assure that they are safe for use with infectious materials.
Without the need for official NSF certification.

• Interactive lectures to establish microbiological context

and introduce key concepts
• Familiarisation with BSC II and test equipment
• Demonstration of each testing methodology
• Hands-on testing of each testing methodology
• Reporting of test results
• Group Discussions relevant to MSF needs

Field Testing of Class II Biosafety Cabinets © Crown Copyright, 2023 19

 Training schedule

Day 1: Course introduction, Microbiology and infection

control, Biological safety cabinet overview

Day 2: Standards (NSF/ANSI 49 and EN 12469) , Field Tests, Testing

Equipment, Site Installation Tests, documentation and
Airflow Smoke Patterns

Day 3: Inflow tests: Exhaust and Constricted access methods

Day 4: Downflow tests: NSF and EN methods

Day 5: HEPA/ULPA leak test & group discussions

All trainees will receive a UKHSA certificate of participation on completion of the 5 day course
Field Testing of Class II Biosafety Cabinets © Crown Copyright, 2023 20
 Questions?

Logistics:
• Taxis should be arranged to pick you up from your
Hotel each morning at 08:30 to be here for 9am, and
return to collect you at 5pm (unless advised otherwise
by us).
• Prepaid lunches and coffees at UKHSA are available
throughout the duration of your training from an on-site
canteen

21 Field Testing of Class II Biosafety Cabinets © Crown Copyright, 2023

 Contact details

A WhatsApp group will be set up for the course, please provide one of
the trainers your mobile numbers if you wish to be included in the group.

This has proven to be an effective way of keeping one another updated

both during the course but also after the training.

22 Field Testing of Class II Biosafety Cabinets © Crown Copyright, 2023