Biohazard Safety Cabinet

Biohazard Safety Cabinet-An Ultimate Buying Guide by Sunnyda.

A Biohazard Safety Cabinet is the perfect solution for getting rid of microorganisms in your labs and clean rooms which can alter the results of the reactions being carried out in your application and cause infectious diseases to the personnel working there.

As it comes in various configurations and has unique features, you can choose from a wide variety of models and sizes. You can also select one on the basis of design and construction.

It comes with efficient filtration and a ventilation system which is greatly dependent upon the ambient conditions and the airflow.

With its simple installation and easy maintenance, you can obtain a considerable rise in the productivity of your work. Not only it is affordable but offers a cost-effective operation.

This guide will help you understand the features, uses maintenance routine, and proper operation of a Biohazard Safety Cabinet. Let’s start reading.

Testing of Biohazard Safety Cabinet

What is a Biohazard Safety Cabinet?

Biohazard Safety Cabinet refers to an enclosed workspace or hood that can help in dealing with contaminants such as pathogens and hazardous chemical material.

Most commonly, it is found in microbiological laboratories, medical clean rooms, hospital laboratories, and medical experimental laboratories.

Enabled with a good ventilation system, it is responsible for making the air safe for the breathing of the people working there, for the experiments being carried out, and for the betterment of the environment.

The contaminants from the reactions in the laboratories and the clean rooms can be harmful as they can cause diseases like nosocomial infections or mercury intoxication in the case of chemicals.

It is made up of high-quality raw materials so that maximum efficiency can be obtained. The contaminants can also alter the results of the reactions in the cleanroom due to impurities and therefore, a Biohazard Safety Cabinet can add to the productivity of your application.

Due to its energy-saving operation and no harmful effects on the environment, it is preferred for the removal of microorganisms in most applications. There are various options in terms of customization.

The different classes of safety cabinets allow different levels of biosafety and therefore each class shall be used according to the requirement.

Sunnyda Biohazard Safety Cabinet

What are the Prominent Features of a Biohazard Safety Cabinet?

Each class and type of Biohazard Safety Cabinet has its own unique features. The common and prominent ones are stated here:

• Strong and sturdy body built with anti-corrosion material.

• Laminated surfaces for better protection.

• Class 1 and 2 are sufficient to deal with low-risk to moderate-risk applications.

• Biosafety cabinet class 3 has a gas-tight enclosure and offers maximum protection against microorganisms and chemical contaminants.

• Highly efficient filtration system consisting of a HEPA filter or a ULPA filter.

• Biohazard Safety Cabinet comes with a pre-filter for higher efficiency of filtration.

• A well-constructed exhaust system enables the contaminated air to exit the space effectively.

• Easy installation with a proper installation manual.

• Low maintenance assembly that does not require expensive disinfectants and decontamination techniques.

• There is an option of exhaust transitions.

• You can go for a caster kit for the base stand.

• A service valve can be helpful in its operation.

Biohazard Safety Cabinet Class 3

What are the Major Parts of a Biohazard Safety Cabinet?

A Biohazard Safety Cabinet is composed of various functional units that come together to make one system.

If there is any fault in one of the components, the efficiency of the system is greatly compromised thus producing a direct impact on the protection of the people working and the environment.

Its major components are as follows:

Front Access Opening

It is for the maintenance of inward flow which must be maintained for the continuous working of the system.

Filtration System

HEPA filter or ULPA filter allowing unidirectional flow in the area and avoiding turbulence addition of a prefilter can enhance the efficiency as it takes most of the larger particles and increases the lifespan of the main filter.

Exhaust System

An exhaust system consisting of fans and air handling units deals with the air currents leaving the area.

This air must be cleaned before leaving so that there are no harmful contaminants in the environment.

Exhaust System of Biohazard Safety Cabinet

What are the Different Classes of a Biohazard Safety Cabinet?

The biosafety in microbiological and biomedical laboratories manual has classified the Biohazard Safety Cabinet into three classes.

This manual is produced by the National Institute of Health and US Centres for Disease Control.

Class 1 Biohazard Safety Cabinet

Though class 1 provides environmental and personal protection it does not guarantee the protection of the product.

The air movement in this type is the same as that of the chemical fume hood. It comes with an air exiting system and HEPA filter.

Class 2 Biohazard Safety Cabinet

When dealing with low-risk materials or moderate-risk materials, class 2 is mostly preferred.

It provides personal, product, and environmental protection but it cannot deal with high-risk contaminants.

Being extensively used in industries, pharmacies, and research laboratories, it is greatly responsible for the removal of harmful microorganisms and chemical contaminants.

Biosafety cabinet class 2 comes with a HEPA filtration system that is capable of preventing cross-contamination. The air is drawn from the front grille and it enters in a downward flow. The existing air is also filtered for the protection of the environment.

Class 2 is further classified into types A1, A2, B1, and B2.

Class 3 Biohazard Safety Cabinet

This class deals with highly dangerous operations and infectious microbiological agents that can cause serious diseases.

These contaminants are dangerous for the environment, the personnel working in that place and the products being dealt with.

As it is for high-risk areas, biological safety cabinet class 3 is a gastight enclosed space with closely administered entries and exits.

The HEPA filter works in combination with an incinerator to allow maximum removal of the impurities. Several units can be joined together to increase their efficiency.

Biohazard Safety Cabinet Class 2

Why Do you Need a Biohazard Safety Cabinet for your Applications?

Biohazard refers to any biological material or substance that can cause damage to a human or environment.

It can lead to serious infectious diseases that can be either transmissible or non-transmissible. Biohazard material includes pathological waste, human waste, bacterial culture, vials containing different pathogens.

When working in a pharmaceutical clean room, a medical clean room, or a hospital, a person is more likely to catch a disease due to biohazard contamination.

Therefore it is necessary that the air does not contain any disease-causing microorganisms or a dangerous chemical that has a deteriorating effect on human health.

These contaminants not only harm human health but also affect the results of the reactions and working of an application. Also, when these contaminants are released into the environment, this unclean air can cause health problems for plants, animals, and humans.

When a contaminant enters the environment, it becomes difficult to control and can lead to disastrous effects.

Biohazard Safety Cabinet in Pharmaceutical Clean Room

What is the Working Principle of the Biohazard Safety Cabinet?

A Biohazard Safety Cabinet works by removing the aerosol contaminants from the air. It is done by using a HEPA or ULPA filtration system based on the following factors:

• Size of the Facility

• Decontamination Needs of the Area

• Application

• Type of Procedure

• Particulate Size

• Number of Particles in the Air

• Air Patterns

The contaminated air is fed into the front sash and it is allowed to flow through the system in such a way that it passes through the filter.

The efficiency of the filter is enhanced by using a primary filter before the main filter. This helps to decrease the contamination load and give better performance.

Then the filtered air is recirculated into the area where the cabinet is installed. In this way, the air currents entering the cabinet go through the system as the airflow patterns change and come out clean.

If the air is to be circulated back into the environment, it is free of any contaminants after passing through the filter and therefore is safe for the environment.

As there is no contamination in the air inside the room, the products, and the items associated with the procedure being carried out are also safe.

The person working in a lab is already wearing the protective equipment but there is still a chance of catching infections when working in an application that requires level 3 and level 4 safety.

Therefore, a Biohazard Safety Cabinet keeps the area ventilated and clean.

Working Principle of Biohazard Safety Cabinet

What are the Ergonomics of the Biohazard Safety Cabinet?

As a Biohazard Safety Cabinet is used daily for several hours, the human design factors for dealing with it shall also ensure the safety of sample material and the user.

The ergonomics include the following points:

• Reduced noise level to make a comfortable working environment. It can be done by good maintenance and allowing minimum users in the room.

• A footrest or a height-adjustable stand so that the user can sit comfortably. It can be different for different users. It enables the user to work for longer hours.

• To ensure good lighting, there should be panorama side windows. Better lighting eliminates the risk of error.

• A better sitting position can be obtained by an angled front sash. It’s better for the health of the worker who works for long hours.

• Additional lighting is favorable for allowing better visibility.

• For safety and comfort, there should be forearm support. It also helps to deal with and give access to sloped windows and improves other working conditions.

Footrest for Biohazard Safety Cabinet

How to Do the Site Assessment and Proper Placement of a Biohazard Safety Cabinet?

The site assessment and proper placement of a Biohazard Safety Cabinet for maximum efficiency and protection.

• There should be no doors, ventilation systems, traffic patterns, and fans near the system so that the air pattern stays undisturbed.

• All the windows of the clean room or your lab shall be kept close so that no unfiltered air can escape into the environment.

• Biohazard Safety Cabinet shall be located at a site that is farthest to the door and it must be supported by a wall. The sidewall is also a good location.

• There should be at least 12 inches of clearance path for the exhaust filter above the cabinet.

• There shall be at least 6 inches distance from the adjacent wall column.

• The distance between the two units shall be 6 inches minimum.

• For allowing a path for servicing, there shall be 6 inches distance behind the system.

• A 40 inches open space is necessary for the front of the cabinet.

• If two cabinets are facing each other, the distance between the two shall be at least 100 inches.

Installation of Biohazard Safety Cabinet

What are the Necessary Annual Certifications for your Biohazard Safety Cabinet?

The annual certification standards for your Biohazard Safety Cabinet are stated below:

• Japanese Standard JISK3800

• European Standard EN12469

• Australian Standard AS2252

• American Standard NSF49

Following the above standards is necessary for the installation and operation of a cabinet in any facility.

This is to make sure that the cabinet is efficient enough to meet the needs of the given application.

If the above standards are not met, it means that the unit is not capable enough to deal with the decontamination load and therefore is not safe to be used.

It is a threat and risk for the personnel working there, the environment, and the products of the procedure being carried out.

A Lab Operator Monitoring Biohazard Safety Cabinet Performance

What are the Major International Standards for the Biohazard Safety Cabinet?

The major international standards for Biohazard Safety Cabinet are stated below:

• It shall be annually certified by NSF-certified technicians who consider the NSF 49 standards

• The University of Kentucky Department of Biological Safety shall have the record and possession of all the safety cabinets.

• Any uncertified cabinet shall be reported directly to the Department Chair, and Executive Vice- President of Research in terms of violation of laboratory rules.

• The annual certification shall be monitored and investigated by the principal investigator.

• The decontamination of the interior surfaces and disinfection against specific agents is necessary before going for certification.

• Keeping a record of the certification reports is mandatory.

National Science Foundation

What Shall be the Construction of HEPA and ULPA Filtration Systems in the Biohazard Safety Cabinet?

The construction of the HEPA and ULPA filtration system of the Biohazard Safety Cabinet is done in such a way that maximum efficiency and life can be obtained.

The HEPA box is constructed by using borosilicate microfiber. The fibers are cast into a sheet as thin as paper. It is a dry-type filter paper and therefore is easier to manage.

A HEPA filter is built to deal with the particulate matter of the size 0.3 microns or greater. It gives 99.99% efficiency. If greater efficiency is required, a ULPA filtration system can be used which gives 99.999% efficiency. It deals with particulate matter of 0.12 microns and greater.

Biohazard Safety Cabinet HEPA Filter

How to Select a Suitable Biohazard Safety Cabinet for your Application?

To select a suitable Biohazard Safety Cabinet, you must follow the given steps:

• Determine the safety level required for your application.

• You can seek help from a professional in this regard.

• Evaluate the chance of contamination in the procedure you are going to perform.

• Assess the chance and extent of infection that can be caused by the contamination of the procedure.

• Go for the right biological cabinet

• Select the cabinet which caters to the decontamination needs of your procedure.

• Make sure that the manufacturer and supplier provide all the necessary equipment with it.

• See if you have to purchase any additional accessories to enhance its efficiency.

• Make sure that it follows all the standards of certification.

• All the certification documentation shall be complete.

• Ask for a factory test before getting the Biohazard Safety Cabinet delivered to your facility.

• Check the influence of change in the ambient conditions on the results of the factory test.

• The unit you are selecting shall be affordable and reliable.

• It should have strong and sturdy construction to allow easy installation.

Sturdy Construction of Biohazard Safety Cabinet

Is Ultraviolet Radiation Technology Helpful in the Biohazard Safety Cabinet?

The ultraviolet radiation is helpful in the Biohazard Safety Cabinet because but it is not necessarily required.

If UV technology is being used, it is important to make sure that it is dirt and germ-free. If it is not maintained well, it might lead to low germicidal effectiveness.

The light intensity shall also be monitored while dealing with certification to make sure that light emission is enough.

When your Biohazard Safety Cabinet is occupied, you must turn the ultraviolet light off so that it does not harm the skin and eyes of the personnel in the room.

It works by disrupting the DNA of the microorganisms and killing them directly thus protecting the operator.

UV Light for Biohazard Safety Cabinet

What are the Instructions of Open Flames Near your Biohazard Safety Cabinet?

To deal with open flamed in a Biohazard Safety Cabinet, you must take care of the following points:

• Use an open flame only when it is necessarily required.

• Don’t keep it near a substance that is likely to catch fire.

• Use an electric bunsen burner rather than a gas-fueled one. It is safe and convenient.

• Turn the gas supply or the power of the burner off as soon as you are done with your procedure.

• Wear proper protective equipment when dealing with open flames. Watch your clothes and sleeves.

• If you have any flammable substance close to the flame, be careful while handling it.

Electric Bunsen Burner

How to Deal With Spills When Using a Biohazard Safety Cabinet?

To deal with the spills in the Biohazard Safety Cabinet, follow the given steps:

• Dry the spill by using an absorbent paper or paper towel.

• Cover it with a layer of paper towels soaked in disinfectant.

• Mark the spill by encircling it while you minimize the chance of aerosolization.

• All the items that got the spillover shall be decontaminated.

• Let the disinfectant work its germicide action and wait for 20 minutes.

• Wipe the area carefully and use an appropriate disinfectant.

• Use biohazardous waste disposal procedures such as autoclave to get rid of the disposed of contaminated items.

• The reusable items can be disinfected for later use.

Dealing with Spills in Biohazard Safety Cabinet

What are the Biohazard Safety Cabinet Usage Guidelines?

The usage guidelines for your Biohazard Safety Cabinet are as follows:

• The person operating the biological safety cabinet shall be well trained and must have experience of using it.

• Check the certification and records to confirm the quality.

• If any alarms are activated, refrain from using the system.

• There shall be only one person working in the cabinet at one time. More people can cause turbulence which disturbs the air pattern.

• The use of open flames, dangerous chemicals, and radioactive isotopes is not allowed. If at all you have to deal with such substances, you must seek the approval of the safety department first.

• Don’t store any materials around or in the cabinet.

• You must follow all the protection protocols such as wearing PPE and other protective equipment such as gloves, goggles, head cap, and shoe covers, etc.

• For correcting the working height, open the sash.

• Go for a completely aseptic procedure whenever dealing with microorganisms. Make sure that the technique you are using is effective.

• The workflow should always be from the clean area to the contaminated area and never the opposite direction.

Radioactive Elements are not Allowed in Biohazard Safety Cabinet

What is the Significance of the Alarm in the Biohazard Safety Cabinet?

An alarm holds a lot of significance in a Biohazard Safety Cabinet because it indicates that there is something going wrong in the system which might lead to a dangerous situation if not corrected timely.

Mostly there are one of the two kinds of alarm in one cabinet. In cabinets with sliding sashes, there are sash alarms. This alarm indicates that the sash has been moved in the wrong direction by the operator. By moving the sash in the right direction, the alarm can be turned off.

When there is any disruption in the normal airflow pattern, the airflow alarm goes off to indicate the disturbance. It is quite serious because it points towards danger to the operator and the environment.

When this alarm is on, you must stop the work and leave the area. Notify the laboratory manager so your Biohazard Safety Cabinet can be saved.

Sash Alarm of Biohazard Safety Cabinet

What is the Necessary Protective Equipment Used While Dealing With a Biohazard Safety Cabinet?

The necessary protective equipment while dealing with a Biohazard Safety Cabinet is described below:

• Always wear personal protective clothing.

• Wear laboratory coats when working in a biosafety cabinet class 1 and class ii biosafety cabinet.

• For biosafety levels 3 and 4, a gown is preferred.

• Wear elasticized sleeves to prevent the contaminants from going up your sleeve.

• Wear gloves to protect against contamination by touching.

• A few processes involve safety goggles and masks.

Wear Proper PPE Before Using Biohazard Safety Cabinet

What are the Routine Maintenance Tips for the Biohazard Safety Cabinet?

The routine maintenance tips for your Biohazard Safety Cabinet are explained here:

• All the repairing and maintenance shall be performed by highly trained personnel.

• Go for a risk assessment procedure before starting a new project.

• Seek the help of a biological safety officer to determine the type of decontamination that you will require.

• If surface decontamination is not sufficient, you can opt for gas decontamination.

• Keep a check on the recertification schedule.

• Maintaining the record of all maintenance receipts is also necessary.

Routine Maintenance of Biohazard Safety Cabinet

What are the Common Mistakes Associated With the Use of Biohazard Safety Cabinet?

The common mistakes associated with the use of a Biohazard Safety Cabinet are as follows:

• The airflows can be disrupted by any interfering air currents and therefore the cabinet shall be located away from the door.

• You should not store any supplies or equipment in the cabinet so that there is no added contamination.

• All the items necessary for one procedure shall be present in close vicinity and you don’t have to go outside to bring anything.

• There shall be no items on top of the lab or clean room ceiling tiles because it will disrupt the airflow pattern for the HEPA filter.

• The alarm shall never be cut off because it puts the lives of people and the products at stake.

• Avoid crowding in the Biohazard Safety Cabinet because it is better if only one person uses it. There is decreased turbulence in this way and the air pattern remains undisturbed.

Airflow Pattern of Biohazard Safety Cabinet

Conclusion.

Whenever you are purchasing a Biohazard Safety Cabinet, make sure that it is affordable, hood quality, and reliable. It must meet all the needs of your application so that you get true value for money.

Do proper research before buying it and don’t forget to look for online reviews of the product. Select the size and capacity according to your requirement so that you can get maximum productivity.

You must be aware of which class of Biohazard Safety Cabinet is compatible with your application.

Proper installation and maintenance will help you obtain higher efficiency and longer life for your unit.

Premium Quality Biohazard Safety Cabinet