Biological Safety Cabinets and Laminar Flow Cabinets

Biological Safety Cabinets are workspaces with filters and ventilation systems that protect the user, the environment, and the product against pathogens, contaminants, and other hazardous materials.

Biological Safety Cabinets are basically classified as Class I, Class II, and Class III.

Class I Biological Safety Cabinets

These cabinets provide user and environmental protection. Product protection is not provided. While the user is protected by the inward airflow, the environment is protected as the air is filtered before being exhausted.

Class II Biological Safety Cabinets

These cabinets provide user, environmental, and product protection. Suitable for working with agents in risk groups 1, 2, and 3. The user is protected by the inward airflow from the front, the product is protected by the filtered airflow from the top, and the environment is protected by the filtered exhausted air. They are subdivided into four types.

Class II A1 Biological Safety Cabinets

These cabinets have a recirculation ratio of 70% and an exhaust ratio of 30%. Minimum inflow velocity is 75 fpm (0.38 m/s). Since the positively pressurized contaminated plenum is not surrounded by negative pressure, this model is not commonly used anymore.

Class II A2 Biological Safety Cabinets

These cabinets have a recirculation ratio of 70% and an exhaust ratio of 30%. Minimum inflow velocity is 100 fpm (0.51 m/s). Biologically contaminated plenums are under negative pressure or surrounded by negative pressure.

Class II B1 Biological Safety Cabinets

These cabinets have a recirculation ratio of 40% and an exhaust ratio of 60%. Minimum inflow velocity is 100 fpm (0.51 m/s). All biologically contaminated plenums are negatively pressurized or surrounded by negative pressure plenums. Exhaust duct connection is mandatory.

Class II B2 Biological Safety Cabinets

No recirculation is present. All incoming air is exhausted directly without recirculation (100% total exhaust). Minimum inflow velocity is 100 fpm (0.51 m/s). All biologically contaminated plenums are negatively pressurized or surrounded by negative pressure plenums. Class II B2 cabinets can be used when working with chemical and toxic substances. Exhaust duct connection is mandatory.

Class III Biological Safety Cabinets

These cabinets are completely airtight. Hazardous biological agents are introduced into the work area through a pass-through chamber. The operator performs procedures using gloves attached to the front window. Also known as glove boxes. The cabinet is maintained under negative pressure and supply air is passed through HEPA filters. Suitable for working with risk group 4 agents.

Today, Class II A2 and Class II B2 cabinets are most commonly preferred.

Users must be very careful when selecting the class of biological safety cabinet.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Different brands may use different numbers and types of filters. (HEPA, ULPA, G3-G4 Prefilters)
Different brands may use different numbers and types of fan motors. (AC, EC, DC Fans)
European Standard is expressed as EN12469.

LAMINAR FLOW CABINETS – CLEAN BENCH

These cabinets provide only product protection. They are divided into vertical and horizontal types.

Vertical Laminar Flow Cabinets

Air is drawn from the top of the device, filtered, and directed downward to the work surface. It is exhausted from the front and rear of the device.

Horizontal Laminar Flow Cabinets

Air is drawn from the top of the device, passes to the back wall, and after filtration, is exhausted from the front of the device.

As Labor İldam, we are the official distributor in Turkey for ESCO, Clean Air, Haier and Telstar.

All three brands offer Biological Safety Cabinets and Laminar Flow Cabinets. With models that have unique features, we are pleased to meet the requirements of our customers.