Class II Biosafety Cabinets

Class II BSCs

Inflow
Recycled Exhaust Control plenum Use with
Class Velocity Exhaust System
Air (%) Air (%) surrounded by chemicals?
(m/s)
Yes, small
II Direct connection/ quantities if
0.38 70 30 Negative Plenum
A1 Recirculating/ Canopy connected to
external exhaust
Yes, small
II Direct connection/ quantities if
0.51 70 30 Negative Plenum
A2 Recirculating/ Canopy connected to
external exhaust
II
0.51 30 70 Negative Plenum Direct connection Only Yes
B1
II
0.51 0 100 Negative Plenum Direct connection Only Yes
B2

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Class II BSCs – A1,A2

Image: NSF/ANSI 49 - 2018

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Class II BSCs – B1
Connected to
an external
exhaust
system

Optional
supply HEPA
or ULPA filter

Image: NSF/ANSI 49 - 2018

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Class II BSCs – B2
Connected to
an external
exhaust
system

Image: NSF/ANSI 49 - 2018

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Class II BSCs – C1

Image: NSF/ANSI 49 - 2018

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Class II Type A2 Cabinets
Class II BSC

Fan

HEPA filtration
Control Panel

Physical barrier

Access opening
with air curtain

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Class II BSC

Vents Sash

Removable Tray

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Class II BSC Airflows

Exhaust HEPA

Laboratory air
Supply HEPA Contaminated air
HEPA filtered air
Grill
Fan
HEPA filter

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Class II BSC

Laboratory air
Contaminated air
HEPA filtered air

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Plenums

A space or enclosure to facilitate air circulation within the cabinet.

“have all biologically contaminated ducts and plenums under negative pressure or surrounded by
negative pressure ducts and plenums”

(not always the case for older pre 2010 Type A1 cabinets)

Image: NSF/ANSI 49 - 2018

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Plenums

Designed to prevent release of contaminated air

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Class II BSC Plenums

+ ve + ve
- ve
+ ve + ve

- ve + ve

- ve + ve

- ve - ve

- ve - ve - ve - ve

Current Standard Pre 2010

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Example cabinet - ESCO

ESCO Class 2 cabinet

• Cabinet has a single fan for both

supply and extract fan
• Balance is achieved by adjusting
the fan speed and damper on the
cabinet extract filter

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Example cabinet - ESCO

Inside of ESCO cabinet showing

single fan box
DAMPER

EXTRACT HEPA
Exhaust FAN
Damper

DOWNFLOW HEPA

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Example cabinet - Monmouth

Monmouth Class 2 cabinet

• Cabinet has a dedicated extract fan

• Two dedicated supply/downflow fans
• Balance is achieved by adjusting the
supply and extract fan speeds

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Example cabinet - Monmouth
EXTRACT HEPA

FAN

FAN FAN

DOWNFLOW HEPA

Separate downflow and extract fans

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Example cabinet – Thermo Advantage

Exhaust
HEPA/ULPA

Downflow
HEPA/ULPA

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Example cabinet – Thermo Advantage

Access to:

Fans / Blowers
Plenum
Grilles
Display panel

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BSC Comparison

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Effectiveness

Effectiveness of the cabinets is dependent on:

• Design
• Installation
• Correct use
• Maintenance
• Ergonomics and Dexterity

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Installation - Location

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Installation – Extract

• Re-circulating – Cheapest solution, cabinet will be

independent of room ventilation system, problems
with fumigation

• Direct connection – A BSC exhaust connection where

the connection between the BSC and the external
exhaust system is air tight with no designed gaps or
openings. Safest, most expensive solution, anti blow
back valves, dampers for fumigation, (cabinet linked to
room ventilation system)

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Installation – Extract
To exhaust

• Canopy – Cabinet linked and independent

of ventilation system, safe fumigation.
• Canopy connections may take many forms
• Access is required for filter testing

Cabinet

Laboratory air
Contaminated/Cabinet air
HEPA filtered air
HEPA filter

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Cabinet features – Site tests

Sash
• Fixed sash - unable to adjust the height
• Sliding sash – adjustable so there should be an indication of the correct
height on the cabinet (automated in Monmouth)

Alarms
• Should be visual and audible
• Sash - when sash is not in the correct position
• Airflow – when airflows are not within specification. Should operate when
cabinet is first turned on and airflow is still stabilising, power cuts or
restricted airflow
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 Equipment use affecting BSC II airflow

Bulky items ( or over filled)

Heat generating

Fans/motors

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Operator use affecting BSC II airflow

Working in the centre

Minimising movement

Slow movements

Focussed

Obstructing grilles at front and back of BSC II

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