User guide
6  |  S3 Biosafety System
Operation
IMPORTANT! If the airflow through the HEPA filter falls below required limits for 
containment, the software will alert the user and stop the sort acquisition immediately.
Software Control
The S3 biosafety system will be in full containment if both access doors are closed. If the sample 
access door is open, containment is still maintained. Although the system is still drawing negative 
airflow, the system will not be in full containment if the fluidics door is open. All side and back panels 
must remain down during operation to maintain airflow and containment.
The S3 biosafety system is controlled by ProSort
™
 software. When the S3 or S3e cell sorter is shut 
down via the software, the biosafety system will switch to an idle run mode sufficient to keep the cell 
sorter’s electronics cooled. As soon as the cell sorter is started up, the biosafety system fan speed 
will increase the airflow to enable Class I containment. 
The indicator for the bio containment system is located on the software control panel (Figure 7). 
When clicked, a status screen (Figure 8) appears showing enclosure serial number, firmware 
version, containment status, filter life, and temperature.
If the S3 or S3e cell sorter computer is shut off, the biosafety system will remain in idle mode 
till the software is restarted. The biosafety system is designed to remain on at all times and it  
is recommended for both the cell sorter and the computer to also remain on via the main 
power switch.
Fig. 6. Schematic of airflow within the biosafety system.










