Biocontainment Excellence: 3 Classes of Biological Safety Cabinets & Enclosures

Class II Type A2

• Can handle everything in a biological lab except for hazardous chemistry
• Exhausts HEPA-filtered air back into the laboratory
• Can be connected to laboratory exhaust systems
• Recirculated HEPA-filtered downflow air creates an ISO 5 environment within the work area that protects the samples from external contaminant
• Laminar (unidirectional) downflow air pattern helps prevent cross contamination within the cabinet, between samples

Class II Type B1

• Can handle hazardous chemistry
• HEPA-filtered downflow air composed mostly of uncontaminated recirculated inflow air
• Must be connected to a building exhaust system
• Exhaust most of the contaminated downflow air through a dedicated duct after passing through a HEPA filter
• Safe for work involving limited amounts of volatile chemicals and trace amounts of radionuclides

Class II Type B2

• Can handle hazardous chemistry
• Referred to as 100% Exhaust or Total Exhaust cabinets
• Requires a dedicated exhaust system and dedicated remote blower
• HEPA-filtered downflow air drawn from the lab and exhausts all inflow and downflow air out to the atmosphere after filtration through a HEPA filter
• Best for limited amounts of volatile chemicals and trace amounts of radionuclides
• Has the highest installation and operational costs of any Class II BSC

Class II Type A2 – Flexible, Cost Effective

• Can operate as either a Type A cabinet when in recirculating mode or a Type B cabinet when connected to remote exhaust
• Can be changed from one mode to the other by connecting or disconnecting the exhaust and having the cabinet recertified
• Do not require a dedicated exhaust run or dedicated blower
• Ease of exhausting, combined with the reduced air requirements
• Excellent choice for labs that require flexibility

While classes I-III provide personnel and environmental protection, only Class II and Class III provide product protection.

Axiom Type C1 adapts to changing functions. It is engineered to change functions over time and addressing the need to have flexibility in the lab while maintaining safety. By eliminating the need for 2 separate exhaust systems, the Axiom Type C1 provides flexible, ergonomic, energy efficient above all other biosafety cabinets.

Class III Biosafety Cabinets offer the highest level of containment, ensuring maximum safety for personnel, the environment, and the product. These cabinets are completely enclosed and leak-tight, with all operations conducted through gloves attached to the unit. A transfer chamber with interlocked doors allows for the sterilization of materials before entering or exiting the glove box. The cabinet is maintained under negative pressure, and supply air is drawn in through HEPA filters. Exhaust air is treated with either double HEPA filtration or single HEPA filtration followed by air incineration, then safely exhausted outside. These cabinets are suitable for handling agents classified as BSL 1, 2, 3, or 4, when used with other necessary protective measures. Most commonly found in BSL 3 and BSL 4 laboratories (also known as cabinet laboratories), Class III Biosafety Cabinets provide the ultimate level of protection for high-risk research and containment environments.

Personnel Protection

Shields researchers from inhaling or coming into contact with hazardous materials

Environmental Protection

Prevents the release of contaminants into the laboratory and surrounding areas

Product Protection

Safeguards the integrity of the experiment or material being handled within the cabinet

Risk Mitigation

Choosing the right biosafety cabinet ensures that the laboratory is equipped to handle specific levels of risk associated with the materials being used

Regulatory Compliance

Different biosafety levels are mandated by regulatory bodies, and compliance is essential to maintaining a safe laboratory environment

Optimized Performance

Understanding biosafety cabinet classes helps you make an informed decision about which type is best for your safety and efficiency