Biosafety cabinets should be field tested and certified at the time of installation and at least annually thereafter, using the methods detailed in Annex F, “Field Tests”, of NSF/ANSI Standard 49.
Table of Contents
Why annual biosafety cabinet certification is necessary?
Laboratories working at biosafety level one (BSL1) are strongly encouraged to certify their cabinets annually as a best practice and to ensure product protection. Recertification of biosafety cabinets is also required after repairs, or after relocation of a cabinet.
How long do biosafety cabinets last?
The best biological safety cabinets have a long useful life, often in excess of 20 years. Designs change over time, with an emphasis placed on user comfort, performance and sustainability – but safety and performance should never be compromised.
How often a biological safety cabinet should be certified or checked for quality control purposes?
If you are using your biosafety cabinet (it is turned on and/or there are materials in the work space), your cabinet must be certified at least annually.
How do I certify my biological safety cabinet?
Accreditation for Biosafety Cabinet Field Certifiers To become accredited, a field certifier must pass a written and practical test administered by NSF. Additionally, continuing education and periodic reexamination are required in order to maintain accreditation.
Who certifies biosafety cabinet?
NSF certifies the design, construction and performance of biosafety cabinets to NSF/ANSI 49 and provides biosafety cabinet field certifier accreditation.
What NSF 49 certification?
NSF tests and certifies biosafety cabinetry to the standard NSF/ANSI 49, which outlines basic requirements for design, construction and performance. Certifying to this standard provides personnel, product and environmental protection and ensures the reliable operation, durability and safety of your cabinetry.
What does a Class 2 biosafety cabinet protect?
Class II. A Class II cabinet is defined as a ventilated cabinet for personnel, product and environmental protection for microbiological work or sterile pharmacy compounding.
How long should you wait to start working after loading materials into the BSC?
It is important to wait for at least one minute before working with the material inside the cabinet, allowing the cabinet to stabilize and “air sweep” the hands and arms, removing contaminants. Make sure extra supplies such as gloves, culture plates, or flasks are stored outside the cabinet.
How often replace HEPA filter in biosafety cabinet?
Traditionally, HEPA filter life for a BSC has been estimated at 5-7 years.
Why must be biosafety cabinet maintained or undergo preventive maintenance?
Proper use of a BSC can provide a primary containment that: Protects the operator from infectious agents used inside the cabinet. Protects the sample from contamination. Provides protection for the laboratory environment from contaminants within the cabinet.
How do you deep clean a biosafety cabinet?
How is biosafety cabinet validated?
The downflow velocity test is used only for a class II biosafety cabinet to determine the average air descent speed and to verify the laminar flow within the work area. The downflow velocity test is specific to class II safety cabinets as it is created from direct hepa filtration to keep the air uniform.
What are the 3 biological safety cabinets?
There are three classes of biosafety cabinets designated in the United States: Class I, Class II, and Class III. Class I biosafety cabinets are infrequently used and provide personnel and environmental protection but no product protection.
How do you clean biosafety cabinets after use?
Decontamination and Cleaning Decontaminate the BSC before and after every use to prevent cross-contamination. One method is to use a 1:10 fresh bleach solution followed by a 70% ethanol rinse to avoid corrosion and achieve good disinfection.
How long does it take to certify a biosafety cabinet?
A BSC Should be certified upon installation, after a repair, regularly for annual maintenance and when relocating the BSC to another lab. The Certification process can take 2-4 hours to complete. It includes testing the inflow and downflow of air through HEPA Filters.
What is smoke test for biosafety cabinet?
This test is to verify that the air flows smoothly downwards with no dead spots or reflux and that it does not escape from the cabinet. It must be checked that no smoke is refluxed out of the cabinet once drawn in and no smoke billows over the work surface or penetrates it.
Which of the following protect both the user and the material handled inside?
Some of the differences between a fume hood and a biological safety cabinet (BSC) are that a BSC protects both the user and the material inside the cabinet and that the exhaust is HEPA filtered.
What is NSF certified?
What Does the NSF Mark Mean? The NSF mark is your assurance that a product has been tested by a trusted independent certification organization. It is valued by consumers, manufacturers, retailers and regulatory agencies worldwide.
What is the difference between Class 1 and Class 2 biosafety cabinet?
Biosafety cabinets are divided into three classes: I, II and III. Class I provides protection for the user and surrounding environment, but no protection for the sample being manipulated. Class II provides protection for the user, environment and sample, and is divided into four types: A1, A2, B1 and B2.
What is a Class 1 Biological Safety Cabinet?
The Class 1 biological safety cabinet provides personnel and environment protection for the safe handling when working with chemicals and powders. The air enters the cabinet via the front aperture passing through a built-in exhaust fan, HEPA and/or Carbon filter, thus providing operator and environmental protection.
What is the primary difference between the Class II type A1 A2 and B1 B2 cabinets?
NSF defines four types of Class II cabinets (A1, A2, B1 and B2) that are distinguished by differences in airflow patterns and velocities, HEPA air filter positions, ventilation rates and exhaust methods.
How many people can work in a biosafety cabinet?
Biosafety cabinets are designed for a single operator. Never work with two or more people at a time in any BSC, regardless of manufacturer, model or size.
Do and don’ts of biosafety cabinet?
- Never have the ultraviolet light on when working at the cabinet.
- Avoid disrupting airflow:
- Bunsen burners, other continuous flame devices, or flammable gases are prohibited in biosafety cabinets.
- Beware of fire hazards associated with vaporized ethanol and isopropanol disinfectants.
Which BSL does not require a primary barrier?
Biosafety Level 1 (BSL-1) BSL-1 applies to the basic level of containment and essentially represents good microbiological practice with no special primary or secondary barriers required.