Biosafety Cabinet Overview

Read about different types of biosafety cabinets and their certification, decontaminationrequirements, installation, and use.

Purpose

Laboratory procedures that could create airborne biohazards should be performed in a biosafety cabinet (BSC). BSCs, also known as tissue culture hoods, protect lab workers and the environment from aerosols or droplets that could spread biohazard material.

• See Biosafety Cabinet Usage Guidelines for safe operating procedures.

Caution: Biosafety cabinets look similar to chemical fume hoods and "clean benches." If you work with biohazard material, make sure you're using a biosafety cabinet.

Do not use fume hoods or clean benches for biohazard materials work. Fume hoods are designed for work with chemicals. Clean benches are intended to protect the research product, not the worker.

Purchase Recommendations

Several kinds of BSCs are available, divided into classes (I, II, and III) and types (A, B, C). Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) recommends departments purchase Class II, Type A2 cabinets.

• Class II cabinets are designed to protect the research material as well as the worker and the environment. Both the supply air and the exhaust pass through a HEPA filter. There are 4 types of Class II cabinets.
• Class II Type A2 cabinets (formerly labeled Type A/ B3) have a number of design features that make them more useful in research laboratories than other Class II cabinets. Also, if a Type A2 cabinet is vented to the building exhaust system via a properly functioning canopy (thimble) connection, it can be used with minute amounts of toxic chemicals.

Note: Class I and Class III cabinets are rarely used at UCSD. Class I cabinets do not protect the research material, and Class III cabinets (also called glove boxes) are completely contained cabinets that require workers to wear arm-length gloves attached to a front panel. Contact EH&S Biosafety if your department needs one of these varieties.

Choose a location for the BSC away from pedestrian traffic, doors, and air currents generated by room ventilation — all of which can disrupt airflow.

Certification Requirements

Annual certification

Annual certification is required for all BSCs used for work with biohazards. The certification process ensures that the BSC is working as designed.

UCSD has a preferred vendor for certification and maintenance.

• See Biosafety Cabinet Certification, Maintenance, and Service for details and contact information. Arrange for service well in advance.

After moving

Because even small moves can disturb the HEPA filter, the cabinet must be recertified after installation at a new location.

Relocation or Decommissioning

BSCs must be gas-decontaminated by a certified professional prior to being relocated or decommissioned.

• Contact the UC-approved vendor to arrange this service.

Related Information

• Primary Containment for Biohazards: Selection, Installation and Use of Biological Safety Cabinets, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Notice: UCSD Procurement & Contracts endorses all on-campus suppliers. Other suppliers listed on this page have reliably provided goods and services to UCSD in the past. However, UCSD Procurement & Contracts does not intend their inclusion to be an endorsement.

Safety

Biosafety

• About the Biosafety Program
• Resources
• Animal Biosafety Level Reclassification
• Biohazard Use Authorization
• Autoclave Overview
• Biosafety Cabinet Overview
  • Usage Guidelines
  • Certification, Maintenance, & Service
• Biosafety Level Practices Chart
• Bloodborne Pathogens Program
• Decontamination Methods
• Forms
• Select Agents
• High-Risk Biological Agents Requirement