Introduction to Biosafety Cabinets

Biosafety Cabinets (BSC)

• The purpose of biosafety cabinets is mainly to protect from infectious aerosols, that
is:
• to protect the operator from a direct exposure to splashes and aerosols;
• to protect the laboratory environment from contamination that could be spread
through aerosols;
• to protect other laboratory staff from exposure to aerosols or contaminated objects;
• indirectly, to protect the community and the outside environment from infection;
• to protect some products and experiments from aerosol contamination.

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 How does biocontainment
equipment work?

• Physical barriers
• Directional Air Flow
• Air Curtains
• Dilution
• Filters
• Seals

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 Protection Offered

3 main types of protection

• Product
• Personnel
• Cross contamination

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 Filters – Pre, HEPA, ULPA

Remove particles of different sizes, depending on their type

Different types of filter within the cabinet:

• Prefilters

• High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) Filters

• Ultra Low Penetrating Air (ULPA) Filters

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 Pre Filters

• Pre filters remove larger particles like dust before it

reaches the HEPA/ULPA, act as trap for waste material

• Help extend the life of HEPA/ULPA filter

• May become blocked and reduce airflows, so require

routine cleaning

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 HEPA Filter
•High Efficiency Particulate Air (Absorption)
• A throwaway, extended/pleated medium, dry type filter

• Rigid casing enclosing the full depth of pleats

• 99.99% efficient for thermally generated monodisperse

dioctyphthalate (DOP) smoke particles or equivalent with
a diameter of 0.3μm

• Maximum pressure drop of 1.0 inch w.g. (250 Pa) when

clean and operated at rated airflow capacity; and no area
showing a penetration exceeding 0.01% when scan tested

• Protective grill to prevent the filter face is optional

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 ULPA Filters
•Ultra Low Penetrating Air
• A throwaway, extended/pleated medium, dry type filter Rigid frame
enclosing the full depth of pleats

• 99.999% efficient for thermally generated monodisperse

dioctyphthalate (DOP) smoke particles or equivalent with a
diameter of 0.3μm

• Maximum pressure drop of 1.0 inch w.g. (250 Pa) when clean and
operated at rated airflow capacity.

• ULPA filters may have higher airflow resistance than HEPA/ULPA

filters for the same rated airflow; and no area showing a
penetration exceeding 0.001% when scan tested

• Protective grill to prevent the filter face is optional

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 HEPA vs ULPA Filters

Source: ESCO

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 Particle Size

HEPA/ULPA Filter

Source: AAF International

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 How HEPA/ULPA filters work?

Filter fibres work in 3 ways:

1. Impaction
2. Interception
3. Diffusion

Source: Eagleson Institute

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 Class I BSC – Front Aperture

Fan

HEPA filtration

Control Panel

Physical barrier

Access Opening

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 Class I BSC – Filter Locations

Extract filter with pre

filter - inside cabinet

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 Class I BSC Airflows

Laboratory air
Contaminated air
HEPA filtered air
HEPA filter

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 Class I BSC Airflows

Laboratory air
Contaminated air
HEPA filtered air

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 Class III BSC (UK) – Sealed Box
HEPA filtration

Seals

Control Panel

Physical barriers

Air Inlet

Pass Box

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 Class III BSC North America
Extract HEPA

Inlet HEPA

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 Class III BSC Airflows

Laboratory air
Contaminated air
HEPA filtered air
HEPA filter

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 Class III BSC Airflows

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 Flexible Film Isolators (FFIs)
HEPA filters

Air inlet Physical barriers

Pre filter

Pass box

Seals

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 FFI Airflows

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 BSC I & III Comparison

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 Effectiveness
• Effectiveness of the cabinets is dependent on:

• Design – produced to the correct standards

• Installation – installed correctly (location in lab)
• Correct use – equipment, operator movements
• Maintenance – continuation of correct operation

•These are covered in more detail in the Class II

Biosafety Cabinet Presentation

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 These “Cabinets/Hoods” are not BSCs

PCR Hood Laminar Flow Hood Fume Hood

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