latest company case about Guangzhou Cleanroom Construction Co., Ltd. Certifications

Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs) serve as the first and most critical line of defense in laboratory biosafety. Choosing the wrong model not only wastes resources but can also create serious hidden safety risks. A common mistake in many laboratories is selecting a cabinet based on “experience" or budget alone, while overlooking the most fundamental principle:

The type of experiment determines the required level of biosafety protection.

This guide provides a clear, practical selection framework to help ensure your choice is scientific, compliant, and safe.

This is the foundation of all selection decisions. Laboratories must accurately assess the biosafety level (BSL) of the microorganisms involved.

Involves microorganisms not known to consistently cause disease in healthy adults (e.g., Bacillus subtilis).
These experiments generally have lower containment requirements but still require prevention of cross-contamination.

The most common level in clinical, teaching, and research laboratories.
Involves pathogens of moderate risk such as influenza viruses, Staphylococcus aureus, and hepatitis viruses, which may cause infection via aerosols, mucous membranes, or broken skin.

Involves high-risk pathogens that can be transmitted via aerosols and may cause serious or potentially fatal disease, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and SARS-related coronaviruses.
This level requires the highest degree of containment and protection.

Biological safety cabinets are generally classified into Class I, Class II, and Class III, with Class II further divided into multiple subtypes.
Their key differences lie in airflow patterns, protection targets, and applicable use cases.

• Protection Scope: Protects personnel and the environment only; does not protect the sample.

• Airflow Principle: Room air is drawn in through the front opening and exhausted through a HEPA filter.

• Applicable Use: Suitable for BSL-1 and BSL-2 activities that do not involve volatile toxic chemicals or radionuclides and do not require product protection (e.g., waste handling, bacterial smears).

(Most commonly used – subtype selection is critical)

Common Features:
Provides protection for personnel, environment, and samples. Vertical laminar downflow minimizes cross-contamination within the cabinet.

• Approximately 70% of air is HEPA-filtered and recirculated, while 30% is exhausted.

• Applicable Use: Most BSL-1 and BSL-2 microbiological work. Allows limited use of volatile toxic chemicals or radioactive tracers.

• 100% of air is HEPA-filtered and exhausted outdoors with no internal recirculation.

• Applicable Use: BSL-1 and BSL-2 work involving significant amounts of volatile toxic chemicals or radionuclides.
  Strongly recommended for cytotoxic drug preparation.

• Protection Scope: Provides the highest level of containment with complete isolation of personnel and environment.

• Airflow Principle: Fully sealed, operated under negative pressure; all supply and exhaust air passes through double HEPA filtration.

• Applicable Use: Designed specifically for BSL-3 and BSL-4 work involving the highest-risk pathogens.

Measure laboratory doors, corridors, and elevators to ensure the cabinet can be transported and installed.
Allow at least 300 mm clearance around the cabinet for maintenance and proper airflow.

Class II B2 and Class III cabinets must be connected to the building exhaust system.
Feasibility should be confirmed with engineering teams prior to installation.

Ensure the cabinet carries valid third-party certification such as NSF/ANSI 49 or EN 12469, and that annual performance testing is conducted.

Consider sash height, armrests, internal power outlets, UV lamps, alarm systems, and other features that improve operator comfort and safety.

Will the laboratory’s research direction change?
Selecting a cabinet with moderate functional redundancy may offer greater long-term value.

Define experimental risk → Determine biosafety level → Match the core cabinet type (with special attention to Class II subtypes) → Evaluate installation conditions and additional features → Select certified equipment and plan routine maintenance.

Remember: a biological safety cabinet is not ordinary laboratory furniture—it is a life-critical safety device.
Strictly adhering to the principle that “experimental type determines biosafety level, and biosafety level determines cabinet type" is the first step toward a safe, compliant, and responsible investment.