BIOLOGICAL SAFETY CABINET
BASICS
BEST PRODUCTS · BEST PERFORMANCE · BEST PROTECTION
HORIZONTAL LAMINAR FLOW
CLEAN ROOM
VERTICAL LAMINAR FLOW
CLEAN ROOM
HORIZONTAL LAMINAR FLOW
CLEAN WORK STATION
VERTICAL LAMINAR FLOW
WORK STATION
BALANCED LAMINAR AIR FLOW HOOD
NIH-03-112C CABINET
(NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH)
 Class II - Type A
 10 inch - Inflow Supply 80 + 5 fpm
 8 inch opening – Inflow Supply 90 + 5 fpm
 Downflow 80 + 5 fpm with a range of 64 to
96 fpm for all readings
NCI-1
(NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE)
 Class II - Type B1
 8 inch opening – Inflow Supply 100 + 10 fpm
 Downflow 50 + 5 fpm with a range of 45 to 60 fpm for all readings
NSF-49
(NATIONAL SANITATION FOUNDATION)
 June 1976
 Committee composed of:





NIH
NCI
CDC
Manufactures
Users
 May 1993 changed from a construction specifications in favor of
performance criteria
HORIZONTAL LAMINAR FLOW
CLEAN WORK BENCH
(PRODUCT PROTECTION ONLY)
 Unit Components
 Unit Air flows
 Unit Types
 Bench Top
 Console
 Vertical
NU-201 AIR FLOW
NU-301 AIR FLOW
CLASS I
BIOLOGICAL SAFETY CABINET
 100% Exhaust
 Inflow velocity 75 fpm minimum
 BSL 1 –3 Usage
 Personnel protection only
 CDC/NIH recommends a glove-port
panel for use with small amounts of
radionuclides when exhausted
 Typical uses today: Toxic powder
weighing, necropsy
 Maybe thimble/air gap or hard
connected to a exhaust system when
proper precautions are taken
Filtered Exhaust Air
Room Air
LabGard 813 Air Flow
CLASS I AIR FLOW
CLASS II – TYPE A1
 30% Exhaust, 70% Re-circulate
 Negative pressure plenum (Changed 2007)
 Inflow velocity 75 fpm minimum
 BSL 1 –3 Usage
 Personnel and Product protection
 Minute amounts of non-volatile toxic
chemicals and radionuclides if
canopy/thimble exhausted
 Typical uses today: Bacterial, Viral, Fungal,
Parasitic
CLASS II – TYPE A1
70%
Console
Bench Top
CLASS II – TYPE A2
 30% Exhaust, 70% Re-circulate
 Negative pressure plenum
 Inflow velocity 100 fpm minimum
 BSL 1 –3 Usage
 Personnel and Product protection
 Minute amounts of volatile toxic
chemicals and radionuclides if
canopy/thimble exhausted
 Typical uses today: Bacterial, Viral,
Fungal, Parasitic, Arbor-viruses
CLASS II – TYPE A2
70%
Console
Bench Top
CLASS II – TYPE B1
 70% Exhaust, 30% Re-circulate
 Negative pressure plenum
 Inflow velocity 100 fpm minimum
 BSL 1 –3 Usage
 Personnel and Product protection
 Minute amounts of volatile toxic chemicals
and radionuclides
 Must be hard connected with typical exhaust
requirement being 300-500 CFM at 1.0” w.g.
 Must have interlocked internal blower with
audible and visual alarm for exhaust failure
 Typical uses today: Bacterial, Viral, Fungal,
Parasitic, Arbor-viruses
CLASS II – TYPE B1
CLASS II – TYPE B2
 100% Exhaust
 Negative pressure plenum
 Inflow velocity 100 fpm minimum
 BSL 1 –3 Usage
 Personnel and Product protection
 Small amounts of volatile toxic chemicals
and radionuclides
 Must be hard connected with typical
exhaust requirement being 700-1,200 CFM
at 2.0” w.g.
 Must have interlocked internal blower with
audible and visual alarm for exhaust failure
 Typical uses today: Bacterial, Viral, Fungal,
Parasitic, Arbor-viruses, Prion, Cytotoxics
CLASS II – TYPE B2
ONE-ON-ONE EXHAUST SYSTEM
10’ Above roof line
Make-up
Air Supply
Stack
Contactor
Blower
Damper
(Automated
or Manual)
Cabinet
GANGED EXHAUST SYSTEM
Stack
Make-up
Air Supply
Contactor
Blower
Duct
CAV
Ceiling
Ceiling
Damper
(Manual)
Cabinet
CLASS III – “GLOVE BOX”
 100% Exhaust Glove Box
 Negative Pressure at 0.5” w.g. minimum
 Double HEPA Filter Exhaust
 BSL 4
 Personnel and Product Protection
 Small amounts of volatile toxic chemicals
and radionuclides
 Must be hard connected with typical
exhaust requirement being 50-100 CFM
at 0.5 w.g.
 Must have negative pressure alarm for
cabinet or exhaust failure
 Typical uses today: Toxic Powders,
BSL 4 Agents
BIOLOGICAL SAFETY CABINET
CLASS / TYPES
 Class I: Personnel Protection Only
 100% exhaust
 Inflow velocity 75 fpm minimum
 Class II: Personnel and Product Protection
Type A1 - 30% exhaust, 70% re-circulate
 Negative Pressure Plenum (Changed 2008)
 Inflow velocity 75 fpm minimum
Type A2 - 30% exhaust, 70% re-circulate
 Negative Pressure Plenum
 Inflow velocity 100 fpm minimum
BIOLOGICAL SAFETY CABINET
CLASS / TYPES
 Class II: Personnel and Product Protection
Type B1 - 70% exhaust, 30% re-circulate
 Negative Pressure Plenum
 Inflow velocity 100 fpm minimum
Type B2 - 100% exhaust
 Negative Pressure Plenum
 Inflow velocity 100 fpm minimum
 Class III: Personnel and Product Protection
 100% exhaust
 Negative Pressure at 0.5” w.g. minimum
RISK ASSESSMENT
1.
2.
3.
4.
BSC
CLASS
BSL LEVEL OF
AGENT USED
NON-VOLITILE
TOXIC CHEMICALS &
RADIONUCLIDES
VOLITILE TOXIC
CHEMICALS &
RADIONUCLIDES
I
I-3
YES
YES (1, 3)
II – TYPE A1
I-3
YES (1)
NO
II – TYPE A2
I-3
YES
YES (4)
II – TYPE B1
I-3
YES
YES (1, 3)
II – TYPE B2
I-3
YES
YES (2)
III
4
YES
YES (2)
Minute Amount
Small Amount
In no instance should the chemical concentration approach the lower explosion limits of the compound.
Type A2 cabinets used for work with minute quantities of volatile toxic chemicals and tracer amounts of
radionuclides required as an adjunct to microbiological studies must be exhausted through properly
functioning exhaust canopies.
AIRFLOW BALANCE
OPTIMIZATION
BIOLOGICAL TESTING FOR
OPTIMAL AIRFLOW BALANCE
 Optimized through airflow distribution verified through
 Biological Standard Range Tolerance Testing (NSF/ANSI 49)
 Biological Wide Range Tolerance Testing
PERSONAL PROTECTION
PRODUCT PROTECTION
CROSS CONTAMINATION
BIOLOGICAL WIDE RANGE
PERFORMANCE TESTING
EXHAUST CONNECTIONS FOR
CLASS II, TYPE A2 BSC’S
 Canopy / Thimble is strongly recommended
 Low Exhaust Alarm
 Use of flex duct for adjustability
 Exhaust volume equals BSC exhaust volume plus air gap
volume at 0.3” w.g.
 Provide adequate make up air
EXHAUST CONNECTIONS FOR
CLASS II, TYPE B1/B2 BSC’S
 Direct hard connection is required
 Provide gas-tight exhaust damper for decontamination process
 Evaluate connection restrictions based on BSC requirements
(i.e. exhaust sensor type used)
 Provide adequate make-up air for laboratory pressure
requirements
 Use Concurrent Balance Value from manufacturer to design
and balance BSC
CBV DEFINITION
Concurrent Balance Value (CBV) is determined by a duct traverse
measurement method as specified in ASHRAE Standard 111 –
2008, a minimum of 7.5 duct diameters downstream of a direct
connected BSC at its nominal setpoint calibrated using the primary
DIM method. The static pressure is measured approximately 2
duct diameters above the BSC. Appropriate filter load and
tolerance values are added to accommodate filter loading. The
resulting values may be used for design and balance exhaust/supply
HVAC Requirements.
BREIF HISTORY
 Since the use of the DIM in the early 90’s, differences in
measurement results have been noted between duct traverse
and BSC face measurement methods
 ASHRAE Study Results (1212 – RP)
 BSC face measurement is consistent and repeatable
 Lack of correlation between methods makes BSC face
measurement method suspect for mechanical system design and
air balancers
 NSF 49 Joint Committee
 Reviewed ASHRAE study results and voted to incorporate the
CBV into the listing
BSC FACILITY ASSESSMENT
 Ceiling Height / Door Width and Height -must accommodate
the needs of the user within the constraints of the facility
 Personnel movements / Door movements / pass-thru’s / and
flow patterns in the facility must be analyzed
 Design criteria; BSL 1, 2, 3 or 4
 HVAC - Facility air handling system
FACILITY DESIGN
 Location
 Isolate the BSC
 Reduce traffic flow
 Diffuse room air
 Move away from airflow ducts
 Move away from windows and doors
FACILITY DESIGN
 HVAC
 BSC’s if exhausted require a constant volume (+/- 5%)
 Laboratory balance positive or negative
 Laboratory ventilation rates
 Class II, Type B cabinets should never be the dedicated exhaust
for the Lab.
 Spatial and temporal uniform distribution of room air
 Review system dynamics, personnel movement, door movement,
pass-thrus, etc.
 National, Local Code Conformity
PROCESS ASSESSMENT
 Process Plan Analysis
 Applicable Automation
 Applicable facility SOP’s
 cGMP Requirement
EXAMPLE OF DATA
PROVIDED BY MANUFACTURER
NU-430 / 435-400
NU-430 / 435-600
829 / 1409
1221 / 2075
754 / 1281
1100 / 1869
1.7”w.g. / 43 mm w.g.
2.0” w.g. / 51 mm w.g.
Concurrent Balance Value
(CFM / CMH):
Certification Exhaust Value
(CFM / CMH):
Plant Duct Static Pressure
(ENG / Metric):
Note: The Exhaust System must be designed to provide the static pressure and
required concurrent balance value at the location indicated [A] above.
ASHRAE STD. 111:2008
Ak factor = Measured Airflow Rate divided by the velocity
Reading of a particular instrument used in its prescribed manner
NU-430 / 435-400
NU-430 / 435-600
Concurrent Balance Value (CBV)
829
1221
Certification Exhaust Value (CEV)
754
1100
Ak Factor
1.10
1.11
TYPE B1/B2
DUCT CONNECTION
1in (25mm)
Minimum
Existing Ductwork
Silicone or Neoprene Sleeve
(NuAire Part #NU-940-001 or
Equivalent)
Band Clamp
Band Clamp
1in (25mm)
Minimum
Direction
of Air flow
Butterfly Valve Assembly
Apply Silicone on Inside Edge of
Butterfly Valve Assembly
HEPA Filter
Hood
CABINET / BAS CONNECTIONS FOR
CLASS II, TYPE B1/B2 BSC’S
 Contacts outputs
 Fan Relay
 Alarm Relay
 Contact input from BAS
 Night Setback
 Remote Override
BSC TESTING
AND CERTIFICATION TO
NSF/ANSI 49 ANNEX F
PRIMARY TESTS
 HEPA Filter Leak Test
PRIMARY TESTS
 Downflow Velocity Profile Test
PRIMARY TESTS
 Inflow Volume / Calculated Velocity Test
PRIMARY TESTS
 Airflow Smoke Pattern Test
PRIMARY TESTS
 Site Installation Assessment Test
 Alarm Functions
 Blower interlock, Type B1/B2
 Exhaust System Performance
 Canopy connection. Type A2
 Room Influences
SECONDARY TESTS
 Lighting
 Vibration
 Noise
INFORMATIONAL WEBSITES
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/pphb-dgspsp/ols-bsl
www.cdc.gov/od/ohs
www.absa.org
www.absa-canada.org
www.ebsa.be
www.inspection.gc.ca
www.who.int
www.biosafety.be
www.hse.gov.uk
www.nsf.org
www.nuaire.com
BSC ENERGY IMPROVEMENTS
 BSC Energy Consumption
 Conventional BSC Energy Consumption
 Considerations for Improvement of BSC Energy Consumption
 Additional Cost of Ownership Considerations
 Night Setback BSC’s
 NuAire’s Energy Saver (ES Series)
BSC Energy Consumption
Class II, Type A2
Conditioned Air Out plus Rejected Heat
Fan Air / Rejected Heat
Fan Control / Rejected Heat
Light / Rejected Heat
Outlet / Process Use
Power In
Conditioned Air In
CONVENTIONAL BSC
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
 Lighting
 Fan / Motor
 Fan Control
CONVENTIONAL BSC
ENERGY CONSUMPTION LIGHTING
 Pre 1995: T12 Lamp with magnetic ballast
 .7 to 1.0 Amp (80 to 120 watts)
 1995 – 2008: T8 Lamp with electronic ballast
 .2 to .35 Amp (20 to 40 watts)
CONVENTIONAL BSC
ENERGY CONSUMPTION FAN
Forward Curved
Backward Curved
CONVENTIONAL BSC
ENERGY CONSUMPTION FAN
 AC PSC (35% to 60% efficiency)
 4 to 10 Amps (460 to 1150 watts)
 9 inch diameter fan / 1100 to 1625 RPM
 Fan Control
 TRIAC – .5 Amp (60 watts)
FAN MOTOR EFFICIENCY
.80
.70
% Efficiency
.60
.50
.40
.30
.20
.10
0.0
600
800
1000
RPM
1200
1400
ENERGY COST
4 Foot Type A2 BSC used 8 hours per day
5 day a week, 50 weeks per year (2000 hours per year)
AC PSC (conventional)
Watts
564
KW
.564
KW-HR
1128
*Multiply times .09 per KWH
Annual Energy Cost to run 4ft. BSC
$101.52
*U.S. DOE Average Cost, Plus the energy required to control the
laboratory ventilation by adding 1693 BTU’s / HR of rejected heat
ENERGY COST
4 Foot Type A2 BSC that runs 24/7*
(8736 hours per year)
AC PSC (conventional)
Watts
564
KW
.564
KW-HR
4927
Multiply times .09 per KWH
Annual Energy Cost to run 4ft. BSC
$443.43
Plus the energy required to control the laboratory ventilation
by adding 1693 BTU’s / HR of rejected heat
CONSIDERATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT
OF BSC ENERGY CONSUMPTION
 Lighting
 Fan / Motor
 Fan Control
LIGHTING SYSTEMS AVAILABLE
FOR BSC IMPROVEMENT
 T8 Lamp (3500 Lumens) with electronic ballast
 .2 to .35 Amp (20 to 40 watts)
 T5 Lamp (3300 Lumens) with electronic ballast
 .2 to .33 Amp (20 to 35 watts)
 LED (3000 Lumens) no ballast
 .05 to .2 Amp (5 to 20 watts)
LED LIGHTING
FAN / MOTOR AVAILABLE
FOR BSC IMPROVEMENT
 AC – 3 Phase
 DC
 DC – ECM
AC – 3 PHASE
 Forward Curved Fan (10-inch Diameter Wheel)
 Extended RPM Range (800 to 1400 RPM)
 Frequency Drive Controller (constant volume)
 Minimal Motor noise (frequency)
DC
 Backward Inclined / Small Forward Curved Fan
 High RPM Range (1400 – 2200 RPM)
 Regulated Power Supply (48 VDC) with Potentiometer Control
 No Motor noise
DC – ECM
 Forward Curved Fan (10-inch Diameter Wheel)
 Extended RPM Range (800 to 1400 RPM)
 Built in power supply with PWM Control (constant volume)
 No Motor noise
FAN MOTOR EFFICIENCY
.80
% Efficiency
.70
.60
.50
.40
.30
.20
.10
600
0.0
800
1000
RPM
1200
1400
ENERGY COST
4 Foot Type A2 BSC used 8 hours per day
5 day a week, 50 weeks per year (2000 hours per year)
AC PSC
(conv)
DC ECM
DC
AC/3-Ph
Watts
564
299
163
414
KW
.564
.299
.163
.414
KW-HR
1128
598
326
828
$53.82
$29.34
$74.52
Multiply times .09 per KWH
Annual Energy Cost to run 4ft. BSC
$101.52
Plus the energy required to control the laboratory ventilation by
adding the rejected heat
ENERGY COST
4 Foot Type A2 BSC that runs 24/7*
(8736 hours per year)
AC PSC
(conv)
DC ECM
DC
AC/3-Ph
Watts
564
299
163
414
KW
.564
.299
.163
.414
KW-HR
4927
2516
1424
3617
$226.44
$128.16
$325.53
Multiply times .09 per KWH
Annual Energy Cost to run 4ft. BSC
$443.43
Plus the energy required to control the laboratory ventilation by
adding the rejected heat
ADDITIONAL COST OF
OWNERSHIP CONSIDERATIONS
 Lighting availability and cost
 Filter capacity
 Noise and vibration
 Reliability
 Replacement availability and cost
LIGHTING AVAILABILITY & COST
T8
T5
*LED
Availability
Widely Available
Limited Availability
Limited Availability
Cost/Bulb
$4
$16
$75
20,000
20,000
100,000
Life (hours)
*No Ballast
FILTER CAPACITY
 Filter Size (amount of media)
 Motor/Fan Function
 Typically expressed in percent increase of total load capacity.
On average, percent increase of total load capacity equals the
following filter life in years.
50% - 3 Years (NSF Requirement)
100% - 5 Years
200% - 8 Years
TYPICAL AC PSC MOTOR
FILTER LOAD CAPACITY
(WITH USE OF SPEED CONTROL)
1400
Nominal
Setpoint
1200
1000
50% NSF Load Requirement
NSF Load Requirement
Below Acceptable
Airflow Limit
800
600
.4 .5
.6
.7 .8 .9 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5
AC PSC Motor allowed for a 180% increase of total load capacity
TYPICAL AC 3 – PHASE MOTOR
FILTER LOAD CAPACITY
(CONSTANT AIR VOLUME)
1400
Nominal
Setpoint
50% NSF Load Requirement
1200
1000
NSF Load Requirement
Below Acceptable
Airflow Limit
800
600
.4 .5
.6
.7 .8 .9 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5
AC 3-Phase Motor allowed for a 250% increase of total load capacity
TYPICAL DC MOTOR
FILTER LOAD CAPACITY
(CONTROL SYSTEMS)
1400
Nominal
Setpoint
50% NSF Load Requirement
1200
1000
NSF Load Requirement
Below Acceptable
Airflow Limit
800
600
.4 .5
.6
.7 .8 .9 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5
DC Motor allowed for a 85% increase of total load capacity
TYPICAL DC ECM MOTOR
FILTER LOAD CAPACITY
(CONSTANT AIR VOLUME)
1400
Nominal
Setpoint
50% NSF Load Requirement
1200
1000
NSF Load Requirement
Below Acceptable
Airflow Limit
800
600
.4 .5
.6
.7 .8 .9 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5
DC ECM Motor allowed for a 250% increase of total load capacity
FILTER CAPACITY SUMMARY
 Filter Size (amount of media)
 Motor / Fan Function
 Percent increase in total load capacity
50% - (NSF requirement) (3 Years)
85% - DC (4 Years)
180% - AC PSC (7 Years)
250% - DC ECM/AC 3Phase (10 Years)
NOISE & VIBRATION
NOISE
Airflow (Design)
Fan (RPM)
Motor (Harmonics)
VIBRATION
Airflow (Design)
Fan (RPM)
AC PSC
DC ECM
DC
AC 3-Phase
N/C
N/C
N/C
N/C
1100-1700
800-1400
1400-2200
800-1400
Yes
No
No
No
AC PSC
DC ECM
DC
AC 3-Phase
N/C
N/C
N/C
N/C
Higher
Lower
Higher
Lower
RELIABILITY
 Proper Design
 Bearing Life (temperature)
 Electronics / Power Supply
Years
AC PSC
AC 3-Phase
DC ECM
DC
>10
>10
>10
<10
MOTOR REPLACEMENT COSTS
AC PSC
DC ECM
DC
AC/3-Ph
Availability
(distributor/
manufacturer)
(distributor/
manufacturer)
(distributor/
manufacturer)
(distributor/
manufacturer)
Motor
$175.00
$350.00
N/A
$250.00
Fan
$100.00
$100.00
N/A
$100.00
Supply Combo
$275.00
$450.00
$633.00
$350.00
Exhaust Combo
N/A
N/A
$400.00
N/A
Power Supply
N/A
N/A
$239.00
N/A
Fan Control
$175.00
$200 / NA
N/A
$375.00
NIGHT SETBACK
 Application Driven
 Type A2 BSC’s – reduce fan / motor speed & close window
 Type B1/B2 BSC’s – reduce exhaust volume and/or fan / motor
and close window
 BSC / HVAC interface