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Division of Research & Innovation

Office of Environmental Health and Safety

Biological Safety Cabinets

General information:

FAQs:

 

Annual Biosafety Cabinet (BSC) certification:

  • BSCs must be certified annually by OEHS. We provide a centralized system to record and track certifications and repairs.
  • If there is a filter change, a move, or if at anytime you suspect it's not working properly or the cabinet is past due for its annual certification, complete the online request form below.
  • What is covered?
    • Testing and certification services are no Charge from OEHS.
    • Analysis of Unit for Repair or Replacement
    • Price Quote for parts/delivery
    • Price Quote for service
  • What is NOT covered?
    • Repairs, expendable parts (e.g. HEPA filter changes, motors, light tubes, etc.), and labor
    • Gas decontamination (if necessary for repairs or a HEPA filter change)
    • Replacement of motor, electrical system, or structure of the BSC

General recommendations:

  • Keep your laboratory clean. Minimize storage of boxes and supplies, particularly near the BSC.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly before and after working in the BSC. Wear a clean lab coat and gloves while working in a BSC to protect yourself and to reduce contamination of research materials.
  • The effectiveness of the BSC is a function of directional airflow (inward and downward) through a high efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA). Anything that disrupts the airflow pattern reduces the cabinet's effectiveness.
  • Rapid movement of your arms in and out of the BSC, down drafts from ventilation systems, open lab doors and improper placement of equipment and materials inside of the cabinet can all affect its function. Even rapidly walking by the cabinet will affect the airflow patterns.
  • Understand how the cabinet works and plan your work carefully. Protect yourself, your research and your coworkers by using the BSC properly.

Operational recommendations:

  • Turn on the BSC and wipe the work surface clean with an effective surface disinfectant. Wipe off each item you need for your procedures and place them inside of the cabinet. Allow the cabinet to run for at least five minutes before beginning your work.
    • Do not place objects over the front air intake grille, and never block the rear exhaust grille.
    • Perform all work at least six inches back from the front air intake grille.
    • Arrange materials to segregate contaminated items from clean ones. Minimize movement of contaminated items over clean items. Remember to always "work from clean to dirty".
  • Follow good microbiological techniques:
    • Hold open tubes and bottles as horizontal as possible.
    • Use mechanical pipetting devices. Never pipette by mouth!
    • Use horizontal pipette discard pans containing the appropriate disinfectant inside the BSC. Do not use vertical pipette discard canisters on the floor outside of the cabinet.
    • Use of a Bunsen burner in a BSC is not recommended. This can create turbulence in airflow and will compromise sterility. Heat buildup may also damage the filters. Please refer to the "Use of natural gas in Biosafety Cabinets" fact sheet for further information.
  • If you need to remove items from the BSC or introduce new items, move your arms slowly in and out of the cabinet in a manner that will minimize the disruption of airflow.
  • If you use a piece of equipment that creates air turbulence inside the BSC (such as a centrifuge, blender or sonicator), place the equipment in the back 1/3 of the cabinet, and stop other work while the equipment is operating.
    • Some equipment can decrease the effectiveness of the BSC. If equipment is to be housed inside the BSC, contact OEHS for assistance in determining if the equipment will impact BSC performance.
  • If moving large pieces of equipment in and out of the BSC, ensure that the sash is returned to the correct height before initiating work.
  • Protect the building vacuum system from biohazards by placing a cartridge filter between the vacuum trap and the source valve in the cabinet.
  • Clean up spills immediately. If possible, wait 3-5 minutes before resuming work.
  • Remove all materials and wipe all interior surfaces with an effective surface disinfectant when your work is finished. Let the cabinet run for 10 minutes before turning it off. Examine the tray under the work surface, and clean and disinfect it as necessary.
  • To collect liquid biohazardous waste, aspirate liquid into a flask containing bleach (A) connected to a second overflow collection flask (B) and separated from the vacuum system (D) by an in-line filter (C). Biohazardous liquid waste needs to be properly neutralized before disposal. Source: Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, 6th EditionDiagram for collection of biohazardous waste.

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs)

Who do I contact about getting a BSC?

Contact Wayne State University Office of Environmental Health and Safety 

What type of BSC do I need?

The type of BSC needed is determined by the type of material that you wish to use in the BSC. Contact OEHS (313-577-1200) if you are unsure about the type of BSC you need.

A Class II, A2 Biosafety Cabinet is the most common type of BSC in use as it is appropriate for most bio-hazardous work applications. Class II BSC provide personnel protection from bio-hazardous materials using HEPA filtered air prior to release into the room, in addition to providing product protection (to maintain sterility). Further information on specific classes and types of Biosafety Cabinets can be found in the CDC/NIH publication Biosafety in Microbiology and Biomedical Laboratories, 6th edition.

Should my BSC be hard ducted or thimble connected to the building exhaust system?

Contact OEHS (313-577-1200) before having any BSC connected (or disconnected) to the building exhaust system. 

Are the UV lights in my BSC effective as a secondary disinfectant?

Ultraviolet (UV) lamps are not recommended in BSCs and are not part of the annual certification process. If installed, UV lamps must be cleaned weekly to remove any dust and dirt that may block the germicidal effectiveness of the UV light. The lamps should be checked weekly with a UV meter to ensure that the appropriate intensity of UV light is being emitted. UV lamps must be turned off when the room is occupied to protect eyes and skin from UV exposure, which can burn the cornea and cause skin cancer. If the cabinet has a sliding sash, close the sash completely when operating the UV lamp.
Reference: Biosafety in Microbiology and Biomedical Laboratories, 6th edition.

Can I use a clean bench for biohazardous work?

Clean Benches may only be used for work with materials that are non-infectious. No infectious work (human cell lines, infectious microorganisms, toxins, or animal work) should be performed on a clean bench. They are not recommended for infectious work, as they only provide product protection, and in effect, blow air from the cabinet into the user's face and lap, providing no personnel protection.

Why must my BSC be certified?

BSC are the primary containment device used to protect the worker, product and environment from exposure to bio-hazardous agents. The accepted standard is the NSF 49, which overall, serves to validate the design, operation, and testing of biological safety cabinets. The purpose of testing and certification is to ensure the balance of inflow and exhaust air, the distribution of air onto the work surface, and the integrity of the cabinet.

How often must my BSC be certified?

BSC must be certified at the time of installation and annually thereafter. The BSC must be re-certified after it has been moved (even when moved within a room) or when repaired (e.g., HEPA filter replacement).

What if I need to get my BSC repaired?

To schedule repairs submit a Biosafety Cabinet Service Request Form.

Does my BSC need to be decontaminated?

Prior to certification, all work surfaces are to be cleaned with an appropriate disinfectant before servicing. Remove all equipment, sharps and waste from the BSC.

How do I get my BSC gas decontaminated?

Decontamination of the BSC using a gas decontamination method (e.g., para-formaldehyde or chlorine dioxide gas) may be necessary based on the agents used. Contact OEHS for a risk assessment.

Prior to OEHS performing the gas decontamination, perform surface decontamination of all work surfaces (including grilles, drain pan, inside of sash, etc.) with an appropriate chemical disinfectant. Remove all equipment, sharps and waste from the BSC.

What if I need to move or dispose of my BSC?

Biosafety cabinets that are being relocated within WSU, moved out for disposal, or shipped to a separate institution require decontamination prior to being moved. In the majority of situations gas decontamination procedures will be required prior to the move. This procedure must be completed by trained WSU Biosafety Program personnel. The WSU Biosafety Program must be notified of the BSC move at least one week prior to the move date in order for a review to be completed. Submit a Biosafety Cabinet Service Request Form to request decontamination.

Surface decontamination alone may be approved by the WSU Biosafety Program if both of the following conditions are met:

  1. The current owner knows the full history of the cabinet and can confirm that no infectious agents or potentially infectious materials have been used,

and,

  1. The BSC is not being transferred to another institution, WSU investigator, or to surplus.

When gas decontamination is required, it must be scheduled for a time when the lab is unoccupied, and the unit must be empty of equipment.

Once decontaminated, OEHS will provide the lab with a document certifying that the unit is ready to be moved.

Once it has been cleared by OEHS, users should arrange equipment moves as outlined on the Campus Relocations webpage. The moving company is used at department's expense.

Do not attempt to move a BSC by yourself. Biosafety cabinets are extremely heavy and moving them without proper equipment is unsafe for personnel and can damage the BSC. Exceptions can be made for cabinets installed on mobile base stands that are being moved within a lab, or being relocated to an adjoining laboratory.

After every move (even within a laboratory space) the BSC must be recertified prior to initiating work in the new location.