Basic Documentation

Table Of Contents
Biological Laboratories
Siemens Industry, Inc. 91
Topic Requirement(s) Commentary
Biosafety
Cabinets
Certification
and Safe
Usage -
Canada
(Continued)
The correct operation of BSCs must be verified before they are used and then
annually, and after any repairs or relocation, in accordance with the field tests
outlined in CSA Z316.3-95 or annex F of NSF 49. Moving a cabinet can cause
damage to the HEPA filter and its seals. These tests include the downward velocity
profile, the work access face velocity, the HEPA filter leak test and the airflow smoke
patterns. Measuring and testing equipment must be calibrated and maintained in
accordance with the CSA standard. A copy of the certification report must be
provided to the user and kept on file. A label indicating the date of certification, the
date of the next certification, to what standard the tests were performed and the name
of the certifier should be affixed to the exterior of the cabinet. On-site field testing
must be performed by experienced qualified individuals.
The NSF accreditation program for BSC certifiers provides a list of individuals who
have demonstrated their competence by means of written and practical examinations
administered by the NSF
(9)
. Whenever possible, it is recommended that NSF-
accredited field certifiers be used.
Footnote References:
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Primary containment for biohazards:
selection, installation and use of biological safety cabinets. Washington, DC: U.S.
Government Printing Office, 2000.
2. Kruse, R.H., Puckett, W.H., and Richardson, J.H. Biological safety cabinetry. Clin
Microbial Rev 1991;4:207-41.
3. Stuart, D.G. Primary barriers: biological safety cabinets, fume hoods, and glove
boxes. In: Fleming, D.O., and Hunt, D.L. Biological safety principles and practices.
Washington, DC: ASM Press, 2000; 313-30.
4. NSF International. Class II (laminar flow) biohazard cabinetry. Standard 49. Ann
Arbor, Michigan: NSF International, 2002.
5. Stuart, D.G., Hilliard, J., Kenkel, R., Kelley, J., and Richmond, J. Role of the class
III cabinet in achieving BSL-4. In: Richmond, J.Y. Anthology of biosafety I:
perspective on laboratory design. Mundelein, IL: American Biological Safety
Association, 1999; 149-60.
6. National Cancer Institute Office of Research Safety and the Special Committee of
Safety and Health Experts. Laboratory safety monograph, a supplement to NIH
guidelines for recombinant DNA research. Bethesda, MD: NIH, 1979.
7. Biotechnology performance criteria for microbiological safety cabinets. BS EN
12469:2000. European Committee for Standardization (CEN), 2000.
8. Biological containment cabinets (class I and II): installation and field testing.
Z316.3-95. Canadian Standards Association, Toronto, ON, 1995.
9. NSF International. NSF listings field certifier accreditation. Ann Arbor,
Michigan: NSF International, 2000.
The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) is a
not-for-profit organization best known for its
health standards. NSF conducts research,
tests and evaluates equipment, products, and
services for compliance with NSF standards
and criteria. It grants and controls the use of
its “NSF” mark.