Basic Documentation

Table Of Contents
Biological Laboratories
Siemens Industry, Inc. 85
Term Definition Commentary
Biological
Safety
Cabinets and
Classifications
(Continued)
Class II Cabinets
The Class II cabinets provide protection to personnel, product and the environment.
The cabinets feature an open front with inward airflow and HEPA-filtered recirculated
exhaust air.
The Class II Type A1 cabinet has a fixed opening with a minimum inward airflow
velocity of 75 fpm. The average downward velocity is established by the
manufacturer and is typically 50 to 80 fpm. The Class II Type A1 cabinet is suitable
for use with agents meeting Biosafety Level 2 criteria (DHHS 1999), and, if properly
certified, can meet Biosafety Level 3. However, because approximately 70% of the
airflow is recirculated, the cabinet is not suitable for use with flammable, toxic, or
radioactive agents.
The Class II Type A2 cabinet maintains an inward airflow velocity of 100 fpm and is
similar in performance to the Class II Type A1.
The Class II Type B1 cabinet has a vertical sliding sash and maintains an inward
airflow of 100 fpm at a sash opening of 8 inches. The average downward velocity of
the internal airflow is typically 50 to 80 fpm. The Class II Type B1 cabinet is suitable
for use with agents meeting Biosafety Level 3. Approximately 70% of the internal
airflow is exhausted through HEPA filters; this allows the use of biological agents
treated with limited quantities of toxic chemicals and trace amounts of radionuclides,
provided the work is performed in the direct exhaust area of the cabinet.
The Class II Type B2 cabinet maintains an inward airflow velocity of 100 fpm through
the work opening. The cabinet is 100% exhausted through HEPA filters to the
outdoors. All downward airflow is drawn from the laboratory or other supply source
and is HEPA filtered before being introduced into the workspace. The Class II Type
B2 cabinet may be used for the same level of work as the Class II Type B1 and is
used when the primary consideration is protection of the material inside the hood. In
addition, the design permits use of small quantities of toxic chemicals and
radionuclides in microbiological studies.
In Class II Type A2 cabinets, exhaust air delivered to the outlet of the cabinet by
internal blowers must be handled by the laboratory exhaust system. This
arrangement requires a delicate balance between the cabinet and the laboratory’s
exhaust system, and it may incorporate a thimble connection between the cabinet
and the laboratory exhaust ductwork. Thimble (or canopy) connections incorporate
an air gap between the biological safety cabinet and the exhaust duct. The purpose
of the air gap is to buffer the effect of any exhaust system fluctuations on the
biological safety cabinet airflow. The exhaust system must pull more air than is
exhausted by the biological safety cabinet to make air flow in through the gap. The
designer should confirm the amount of air to be drawn through the air gap. A
minimum flow is required to provide the specified level of containment, and a
maximum flow cannot be exceeded without causing an imbalance through aspiration.
In the event of an exhaust system failure, the air gap allows the cabinet to maintain
safe intake velocity by exhausting HEPA-filtered air through the air gap.
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