Biological Safety Hood

Biological Safety Hood-A Complete and Ultimate Buying Guide by Sunnyda.

When you are working in a research lab, medical lab, pharmaceutical clean room, medical clean room, semiconductor industry, or aerospace industry, the protection of your health, the product, and the environment shall be the priority.

A Biological Safety Hood allows you to protect all three things when you are dealing with a process that releases harmful aerosols or involves infectious agents and corrosive substances.

It is made up of high-quality metal which can resist any damage or corrosion. There are numerous designs, configurations, and sizes available for you to choose from.

It is classified into three categories and there are further subtypes as well. Silent operation and minimum vibration are promised as it has a very smooth function. There is no harmful effect on the environment.

As it is affordable and lasts for many years serving the purpose, you must pay attention to the maintenance and cleanliness.

By getting to know the features and benefits of this product, you would be able to take better care of it. This guide is all about a Biological Safety Hood, so let’s start reading.

Lab Operators Testing Biological Safety Hood

What is a Biological Safety Hood?

It is an engineering control design that protects the integrity of the product, the health of the personnel dealing with it, and the cleanliness of the environment in which it exists.

A Biological Safety Hood is best for processes like semiconductor manufacturing, microelectronics, pharmaceutical industry, hospital clean room, and laboratories.

It exists in three different varieties so that modern needs can be met. Each variety has its unique features and characteristics useful for different applications and safety levels. The most common is class 2.

There is an efficient filtration system in a Biological Safety Hood and considerable design difference in each class.

You can get additional accessories with the hood and it has benefits in an extensive range of applications.

Biological Safety Hood

What are the Prominent Features of Biological Safety Hood?

The prominent features of a Biological Safety Hood include:

• Made up of high-quality stainless steel.

• Heavy sturdy body for holding the equipment and spacious enough to accommodate all the components of a procedure.

• Recent technology microprocessors.

• Easy interface with user-friendly technology.

• Low utility cost with minimum usage of voltage.

• Fluorescent light bulbs for maximum visibility.

• UV radiation facility for complete sterilization according to the class.

• Emergency alarm buttons.

• Pressure-sensitive sensors for increased protection and security.

• High-quality efficient HEPA and ULPA filters depending upon the class.

• Good exhaust system.

Excellent Features of Biological Safety Hood

What is the Basis for Classification of a Biological Safety Hood?

The basis of classification of a Biological Safety Hood is the performance characteristics and applications of each class. It is done by the US Centers for Disease Control.

Each class is studied and placed in the right category so that it is easier to assort them in terms of identical features and characteristics.

In this way, all the products belonging to one category have almost the same characteristics. However, they may vary in terms of size, model, and efficiency.

Classification of Biological Safety Hood

What are the Different Classes of a Biological Safety Hood?

A Biological Safety Hood is classified into three main categories. Class 1, class 2, and class 3.

The most basic one is class 1 which only provides protection to the person handling the product and the environment in which the product is being handled.

It is not related to the protection of the product itself which is at high risk of contamination as the air is drawn back to the working desk.

The basic class is generally used for reactions that might produce aerosols and for clean room equipment like centrifuge machines.

Another classification basis is the ducting system. A Biological Safety Hood can either be ducted or non-ducted. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Class 1 Biological Safety Hood:

It is the most basic one and it provides protection to the environment and the person working in the environment.

The most common use of class 1 is storing centrifuge machines or aerating cultures that have the potential of generating aerosols.

The air enters a class 1 Biological Safety Hood through an opening from where the operator’s hand also enters during work.

This air is then projected towards the HEPA filter. Thus before going to the environment, the air is clean because it has already passed through filters.

Class 1 Biological Safety Hood

Class 2 Biological Safety Hood:

Class 2 protects both the sample and the operator including the environment. It is due to the fan which is installed in the roof of the hood that draws all the sterile air which is present in the working area.

This air then passes through the working area and then is drawn towards the HEPA filter.

Class 2 is further divided into five types. Type A1, Type A2, Type B1, Type B2, and Type C1.

Class 3 Biological Safety Hood:

Class 3 is highly enclosed and ventilated so that there is no leakage at all. All the air in class 3 passes through a HEPA filter box and is always clean.

There are rubber gloves that must be used while dealing with class 3 hoods. This is the reason it is also called a ‘glove box’.

There is a transfer box as well which allows the transferring of materials safely and conveniently.

Due to the high decontamination and filtration system, the hand movements are also restricted and it also helps to prevent the direct contact between the operator and the sample thus preventing contamination.

You can also get your customized one according to the features you require.

Different Classes of Biological Safety Hood

What are the Appropriate Classes of Biological Safety Hood for Different Cleanliness Levels?

If your application requires the protection of the worker and the environment only, then you must go for a Class 1 Biological Safety Hood as it does not protect the product. This is best in the situation when the product doesn’t need to be protected.

However, if you need complete sterilization, you can go for class 2 and class 3. These classes ensure maximum protection to all three components. This protection is necessary for the spread of infection and pollution in the environment.

Some toxic chemicals or substances never degenerate and stay in the environment causing damage to the health of people and other living things. Therefore these substances shall never be emitted without disabling them.

The high-quality filters in these classes trap all the hazardous substances and release clean air which is recirculated in the system.

The use of pre-filters and medium filters can help you extend the life of your filtration system as the contamination load is greatly reduced.

Filtration Principle of Biological Safety Hood

What is the Primary Purpose of a Biological Safety Hood?

The primary purpose of a Biological Safety Hood is to provide protection and prevent contamination to all three components taking part in a process. That is, the product, the person handling the process, and the environment in which the process is being handled.

This is to reduce the spread of toxic substances and infectious agents so that there is minimum loss of health and money.

If the person gets infected or contaminated, the infection can be transferred to other people working in close vicinity thus taking the shape of nosocomial infection.

If the product is contaminated, all the time and money spent on manufacturing the product goes wasted.

Lastly, if the contaminants escape out in the environment, the infection can spread to other people in the environment through the air. It can cause serious lung and skin diseases.

Lab Operator Safely Working in a Biological Safety Hood

What are the Principles of Using a Biological Safety Hood?

For using a Biological Safety Hood, you must follow the given principles:

• You must have sufficient knowledge about all the laboratory equipment and the substances being dealt with so that you can be aware of the harm that can be caused by working in an environment like this.

• There should be detailed manuals on how to handle the different equipment and materials involved in a process.

• A project head and a laboratory director must guide the rest of the workers about the hazards and take them through the process.

• Laminar flow, air shower, pass-through box, and a Biological Safety Hood users must be well aware of the function of the products they are using. The effect of external factors and changes in efficiency must also be studied.

• There shall be a proper disinfection routine being followed so that there is no replication or reproduction of germs in the area.

• Any inappropriate activity that might release any harmful microorganisms in the environment must be prevented.

• The practices being carried out in the area shall be according to the biosafety level and must abide by the rules.

Biosafety Level 4

What is the Difference Between a Biological Safety Hood and a Laminar Flow Cabinet?

Although a Biological Safety Hood has a unidirectional flow and the air currents flow in a laminar manner, it is quite different from a laminar flow which is used in a modular clean room or a laboratory.

The main difference is that the former provides protection to all three components, the operator, the sample, and the environment whereas the latter only provides protection to the work surface where the process is taking place.

A laminar flow does not deal with complete sterilization and it is not responsible for killing the microorganisms causing disease thus it does not create a sterile room. Whereas a biological hood does.

There are various configurations and types of laminar flow but none of them promises the same precision as a Biological Safety Hood.

Laminar Flow Cabinet

What are the Essential Factors for Site Assessment of a Biological Safety Hood?

For the site assessment of a Biological Safety Hood, the most important factors are:

• Make sure that the place you want to install it is spacious enough to accommodate the size.

• If it is a ducted one, you might need some extra space for the duct system and exhaust system.

• See if all the components can be rightly placed in the space that you have chosen.

• It should be safe and sturdy enough to support the weight of all the components.

• There should be a comfortable sitting facility so that the worker can work for long hours.

Duct System of Biological Safety Hood

What are the Applications of a Biological Safety Hood?

Here are a few applications of a Biological Safety Hood:

• Pharmaceutical Clean Room

• Modular Clean Room

• Semiconductor Industry

• Microelectronics

• Experimental Laboratory

• Pathology Laboratory

• Research Laboratory

• Mobile Clean Room

Application of Biological Safety Hood

What are the Different Biosafety Levels for Which a Biological Safety Hood is Used?

There are four biosafety levels for which a Biological Safety Hood can be used.

There are certain measures in each level that must be taken for isolating and containing harmful infectious material.

Biosafety Level 1:

It is for microorganisms that are not harmful or infectious. The best example is for secondary education and undergraduate studies. The only requirement is a sink for handwashing.

Biosafety Level 2:

It is more appropriate for diagnostic and clinical purposes. Moderate risk practices are carried out in this place and it is also used for teaching. An example is HIV, hepatitis B virus.

The aerosol production is usually low but the microorganisms may be ingested by a person and it starts multiplying on the gut.

Biosafety Level 3:

It is usually for those substances that release potentially harmful and lethal agents such as aerosols that can cause serious infection through respiratory transmission.

Examples include mycobacterium tuberculosis and Coxiella burnetii. This one is also for research, teaching, and diagnostic purposes.

Biosafety Level 4:

If the process involves life-threatening hazardous substances or extremely dangerous microorganisms which spread through the aerosol route then it is dealt with in biosafety level 4.

Examples include Congo Crimean hemorrhagic fever.

It is usually most dangerous for the skin which is exposed to dangerous pathogens.

Biosafety Levels

What are the International Standards for Biological Safety Hood?

The most common international standards for Biological Safety Hood are stated here:

• ANSI / NSF 49

• EN 12469

• JIS K3800

• AS 2252

• CFDA YY 0569

What are the Chemical Handling Tips While Working in your Biological Safety Hood?

The chemical handling tips in a Biological Safety Hood include:

• All the chemical handling must take place under a chemical fume hood in the first place.

• However, if there is any lack of ducting and proper exhaust mechanism, the chemical handling shall not be done as it can cause serious problems.

• There is a chance of inhalation of these chemical fumes which will definitely lead to severe respiratory disorders.

• In class 2, type B1 and type A, the thimble ducting is sufficient for non-volatile and non-toxic chemical fumes.

• However, an alarm-equipped thimble duct is important for type A2. This is done according to the NSF 49 standard.

• For maximum protection, while dealing with chemicals, the best choice is the class 2 type because it is the most reliable one in this regard.

• It comes with a HEPA and a ULPA exhaust system which is sufficient to deal with large amounts of biohazard aerosols.

Class II Type A2 Type B1 Biological Safety Hood

How to Ensure Safe Use of your Biological Safety Hood?

To ensure the safe use of a Biological Safety Hood, you must consider the following factors:

• No matter how low-frequency range radiation is, it is harmful and any radiologically contaminated product can cause infection through mutations and carcinogenic properties.

• Radiological damage can also be done through the accidental release of radiation or a natural disaster. Therefore, one should always stay prepared by wearing all the protective equipment while working.

• The gloves and protective goggles are a must-have so that you can protect your eyes which are sensitive.

• Whenever you are dealing with a toxic or hazardous substance, go for all the adjustments required for your hood.

• Installation of HEPA box and ULPA filters

• Installation of charcoal filters (charcoal absorbing toxic particles) is also very helpful.

HEPA Filter Installation in Biological Safety Hood

What are the Certifications Required by a Biological Safety Hood?

It is important to get your Biological Safety Hood certificate from a contractor every year.

This ensures that your hood is in perfect condition, does not need any maintenance, and is safe to be used for your application. It is for your own health and safety.

The NSF-49 standard must be met and it shall be made sure that there is no mechanical or electrical problem.

It involves some tests like velocity testing, airflow patterns leakage, etc.

Biological Safety Hood in Perfect Condition

When to Perform a Certification?

• Right after you purchase it to see if it is effective

• Before relocating it

• After you replace your primary filter or HEPA filter

• After every year even if there is no fault

• After an accident or a large spill

• When the biosafety officer suggests you to

If the Testing Fails?

• Go for immediate repair and complete analysis of the condition.

• The repair is conducted by the biosafety department of EH&S and the owner has to pay for it.

• The testing will be again conducted after the repair.

• There is a sufficient record of the repair and testing in the database.

Primary Filter of Biological Safety Hood

What Performance Tests Can be Performed of a Biological Safety Hood?

The performance tests that can be performed on a Biological Safety Hood in order to check its efficiency and productivity are as follows.

Before running these tests, you must make sure that it is according to international standards.

• Downflow Velocity Test

• Inflow Velocity Test

• Airflow Smoke Pattern Test

• HEPA/ULPA Filter Leak Test

• Light Intensity Test

• Noise Level Test

• Vibration Test

• UV Radiation Intensity Test

• Containment Test using KI Discus Method

Airflow Smoke Pattern Test of Biological Safety Hood

What are the Guidelines for Microbial Handling in a Biological Safety Hood?

The microbial handling in a Biological Safety Hood must be done keeping the following factors in mind:

Glass and Plastic Containers:

• For specimen collection, glass and plastic containers are used. Plastic ones are preferred because they are safer to use.

• The labeling and sealing are very important.

• Secondary containers shall be used for the transport of specimens within the area. This reduces the chance of spillage and splutter.

• The containers shall be regularly decontaminated by sterilization and autoclaving.

Receiving Area:

• There should be a dedicated area for receiving the specimen.

Unpacking:

• To avoid any risks, the unpacking must be done by trained professionals. They must be following the proper protocols.

• The use of pipette and pipetting aids must be done responsibly.

Light and Visibility:

• The light intensity shall be sufficient enough to allow maximum visibility.

High-Quality Light for Maximum Visibility in Biological Safety Hood

What are the Dos and Don’ts of Using a Biological Safety Hood?

Here are some dos and don’ts of a Biological Safety Hood:

• Always wear hand gloves.

• Before you start working, decontaminate the surface and bring all the required materials to your desk so that you don’t have to get up again and again.

• The inner walls and back walls shall also be cleaned along with the best surface.

• Purging the work area is also important.

• There shall be only limited people in the area because it reduces turbulence.

• The drain valve must be closed.

• Make sure that the grille does not get blocked with any material like paper or vile.

• All the equipment and products you are placing on the desk shall be surface contaminated first.

• Any spillage or splashes must be avoided by working extremely carefully.

• Place all the equipment on the rear edge of the working desk.

• Try to work as far in the hood as possible.

• Your arm movements shall also be restricted because frequent arm movements cause turbulence.

• The external flow disturbances must also be avoided.

• Try to work from a clean environment to an unclean one. In this way, there will be no flow of contaminants.

• An absorbent paper shall be used to clean any clutter or spillage. Aerosol generation can also be dealt with absorbent paper.

• Make sure that the clean materials are 150 mm away from substances that have the potential to generate aerosols.

• Avoid using a gas flame.

• Any equipment that might cause air turbulence shall be placed away from the hood.

• A solution of 70% or bleach can be used for surface decontamination.

• You can also go for gas decontamination to ensure safety in the Biological Safety Hood. It is characterized by fumigation with formaldehyde gas. However, it is banned in some countries and it must be carried out by only a trained and experienced person.

By following the above rules, you can increase the efficiency as well as reliability of your Biological Safety Hood. It will not just increase your productivity but also help you to save money.

Always Wear Hand Gloves While Working in Biological Safety Hood

What are the Risk Factors Related to a Biological Safety Hood?

The risk factors related to a Biological Safety Hood are stated below:

• UV radiation can be harmful to the person operating it. It is cancerous and causes mutations in the normal DNA thus causing various skin diseases.

• If it is not efficient enough, the person operating it is at risk of getting infected with the microorganisms they are dealing with, which can cause an uncontrollable infection.

• The product resulting from an inefficient Biological Safety Hood will not be up to the mark and therefore it might be the source of contamination.

• The wiring of the machine must be laminated as it is an electrical hazard.

UV Light in a Biological Safety Hood

How to Deal With Flames in a Biological Safety Hood and What Alternatives Can be Used?

While working in a Biological Safety Hood, dealing with flames is quite tricky as they can cause airflow changes and add fumes to the environment.

The gases released from a burning flame can also alter the toxicity level of the area.

Using a burner inside such a facility is always a danger or hazard to the operator. It also leads to cross-contamination as there is sufficient mixing of the air.

If the heat is built up in a closed hood when the sash is down, there is a high chance of an unfortunate reaction and unwanted results such as a blast.

If at all a fire has to be used, it must be used with the following precautions:

• The burner should be electronic in which the supply gets automatically reduced.

• There should be an emergency shut-off valve in the burner that can be accessed easily. It can be really helpful in panic situations.

• The burner shall be placed on the posterior side of the working desk. This will lead to its minimum involvement in the reaction.

Bunsen Burner in Biological Safety Hood

Conclusion.

A Biological Safety Hood is a very convenient and safe machine that allows a safe environment for you to work in.

It protects the worker from infectious diseases and helps you save on money and time since it reduces contamination and the chance of a failed experiment.

You can get professional installation and maintenance service from your clean room manufacturer. Customization is also available. However, you can also maintain it yourself since it has an easy interface and requires little maintenance.

100% Quality Assured Biological Safety Hood