Safe Operating Procedure

(Revised 1/24)
BIOSAFETY CABINETS

Scope
This SOP describes the classification and design of biological safety cabinets. Guidance on
operation and use procedures of biosafety cabinets is provided in the EHS SOP Working in a
Biosafety Cabinet.

References
Information in this SOP is derived from the following nationally recognized guidelines and
standards:
• Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, (BMBL, 6th Ed., Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health
• NSF/ ANSI 49 – 2022 Ed., Biosafety Cabinetry: Design, Construction, Performance, and
Field Certification

Biosafety Cabinet Classification

Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs) are an engineering control designed to provide personnel,
product, and environmental protection when used with appropriate practices and procedures.
Three varieties of BSCs (Class I, II, and III) have been developed to meet varying needs in the
laboratory. Class II cabinets are the predominant design found at UNL.
Use of Class I BSCs should be limited to basic microbiological work with low- and moderate-
risk agents. Class II BSCs, when properly maintained and used with good microbiological
techniques, provide an effective containment system for safe manipulation of moderate and
high-risk microorganisms (risk group (RG) 2 and 3 agents).

NOTE: All work with RG-2 and RG-3 organisms and recombinant or synthetic
nucleic acids requires UNL IBC review and approval prior to initiation of
experiments. Consult the UNL Biosafety Guidelines for additional information.

The inward face velocities of Class I and II BSCs (75-100 linear feet per minute) provide
comparable levels of containment to protect laboratory workers and the immediate
environment from infectious aerosols generated within the cabinet. Class II BSCs also provide
product protection through high-efficiency particulate air filtration (HEPA filtration) of the intake
air. Class III cabinets offer the maximum protection to laboratory personnel, the community,
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and the environment because all hazardous materials are contained in a completely enclosed,
ventilated cabinet.
All classes of BSCs are equipped with exhaust HEPA filters, which distinguishes them from
laminar flow “clean benches.” Additionally, Class II and III BSCs along with “clean benches”
protect the products/cultures within from environmental contamination by using a supply air
HEPA filter. In contrast, Class I BSCs are not equipped with supply HEPA filters and as such
provide no product protection. Design differences between various classes of biosafety
cabinets are summarized in Table 1 below.
NOTE: A “clean bench,” although providing either vertical or horizontal laminar
airflow, is not a BSC and users should be aware of the limitations of these devices.
Their design and use is discussed later in this document (Figures 9, 10).

Class I BSC
Figure 1 Class I Biological Safety Cabinet
(Note: Class I BSCs are manufactured on a
limited basis. Most have been replaced
with Class II BSCs.)
The Class I BSC provides personnel and
environmental protection, but no product
protection. Air movement is similar to a
chemical fume hood, but it has a HEPA
filter in the exhaust system to protect the
environment (Figure 1) from bioaerosols.
In the Class I BSC, unfiltered room air is
drawn across the work surface. Personnel
protection is provided by this inward airflow
as long as a minimum velocity of 75 linear
feet per minute (lfpm) is maintained
through the front opening and appropriate
work practices are observed.
The classical Class I BSC is hard-ducted
(i.e., direct connection) to the building
exhaust system, and the building A. front opening, B. sash, C. exhaust HEPA filter,
exhaust fan provides the negative D. blower.
pressure necessary to draw room air Note: The cabinet needs to be hard connected to
into the cabinet. the building exhaust system if toxic vapors are to
be used.
Photo courtesy NuAire, Inc. Laboratory Equipment Supply

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Table 1. Characteristics and Classifications of Primary Containment Devices1,2

Appropriate for Some
Direction
Containment Uses of Volatile Toxic
of Airflow Application/Airflow Pattern Protection
Device Chemicals and
(lfpm)
Radionuclides
Laminar Flow Outward Applications where the product is not hazardous, but must be kept Product only Not Acceptable
Clean Bench (100) contaminant free. Provides HEPA filtered supply to the work surface
and a particulate-free work area. Appropriate use examples include:
plant tissue culture; particulate-free assembly of sterile equipment and
electronic devices; polymerase chain reaction (PCR). (Figures 9, 10)
BSC Inward Air intake is through the front face of the cabinet; exhaust exits through Personnel and Acceptable if hard
Class I (≥75) a HEPA to the outside or into the room (Figure 1) Environment ducted
BSC Inward Air intake is through a HEPA filter; 70% of airflow is recirculated to the Product, Minute amounts only if
Class II, Type A1 (75) cabinet work area through HEPA; 30% balance can be exhausted Personnel, and thimble connected to
through HEPA back into the room or to the outside through a canopy Environment exhaust*
unit. Plenum is under positive pressure. (Figure 2)
BSC Inward Similar to Class II, A1, but has 100 lfpm face velocity and plenums are Product, Minute amounts only if
Class II, Type A2 (100) under negative pressure to room; exhaust air can be ducted to outside Personnel, and thimble connected to
(A/B3 pre- 2002) through a canopy unit (Figures 3, 4) Environment exhaust*
BSC Inward Air intake is through a HEPA filter; 30-40% of airflow is recirculated in Product, Limited amounts*
Class II, Type B1 (100) the cabinet and the remaining 60-70% is exhausted through a HEPA Personnel, and
filter and a dedicated duct to the outside. (Figure 5) Environment
BSC Inward Air intake is through a HEPA filter; 100% of the air is exhausted to the Product, Acceptable
Class II, Type B2 (100) outside via a HEPA-filtered hard duct. No air recirculation in the Personnel, and
cabinet. (Figure 6) Environment
BSC Inward This type of cabinet can be operated in different modes depending on Product, Acceptable, must be
Class II, Type C1 (100) whether worker protection from hazardous vapors is a consideration. Personnel, and hard ducted to lab
The mode can be set to approximate either a Type A or Type B Environment exhaust and operated
biosafety cabinet. (Figure 7) in Type B mode.
BSC Inward Totally enclosed, gas-tight, glove ports for manipulation of pathogens. Maximum Limited amounts*
Class III Supply air is HEPA filtered. Exhaust air passes through two HEPA Product,
filters in series and is exhausted to the outside via a hard connection. Personnel, and
Airflow can be turbulent inside the cabinet. (Figure 8) Environment
*In no circumstances should the chemical concentration approach the lower explosion limits of the compound.

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Class II BSC
Class II BSCs are partial barrier systems that rely on laminar movement of air to provide
containment. If the air curtain is disrupted (e.g., movement of materials in and out of a cabinet,
rapid or sweeping movement of the arms) potential for contaminant release into the laboratory
work environment is increased as is the risk of product contamination.
Class II (Types A1, A2, B1, B2 and C1) 1 BSCs provide personnel, environment, and product
protection. Airflow is drawn into the front grille of the cabinet, providing personnel protection. In
addition, the downward laminar flow of HEPA-filtered air provides product protection by
minimizing the chance of cross-contamination across the work surface of the cabinet. Because
cabinet exhaust air is passed through a HEPA filter, it is particulate-free (environmental
protection), and may be recirculated to the laboratory (Type A1 and A2 BSCs) (Figures 2, 3) or
discharged from the building via a canopy connection (Figure 4). Exhaust air from Types B1
and B2 BSCs (Figures 5, 6) must be discharged to the outdoors via a hard connection.
An internal blower (Figure 2) draws sufficient Figure 2
room air through the front grille to maintain a Class II Type A1 Biological Safety Cabinet
minimum average inflow velocity of at least
75 lfpm at the face opening of the cabinet.
The supply air flows through a HEPA filter
and provides particulate-free air to the work
surface. Laminar (unidirectional, constant
velocity) airflow reduces turbulence in the
work zone and minimizes the potential for
cross-contamination.
The downward moving air "splits" as it
approaches the work surface; the blower
draws part of the air to the front grille and
the rest is drawn to the rear grille. Although
there are variations among different
cabinets, this split generally occurs about
halfway between the front and rear grilles
and 2-6 inches above the work surface.
It is possible to exhaust the air from a Type
A1 or A2 cabinet outside of the building.
However, it must be done so as not to alter
the balance of the cabinet exhaust system,
and thereby disturbing the internal
A. front opening, B. sash, C. exhaust HEPA filter,
cabinet airflow. The proper method of D. supply HEPA filter, E. common plenum, F. blower.
connecting a Type A1 or A2 cabinet to

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the building exhaust system is through use of a canopy hood,1 which provides a small opening
(usually 1 inch) around the cabinet exhaust filter housing (Figure 4). The current NSF/ANSI 49
Standard requires Class II Type A1 or A2 cabinets with canopy connections be fitted with an
audible and visible exhaust alarm to indicate when air flow is being returned to the room rather
than being exhausted out. Annual certification of cabinets with these “thimble connections”
must include alarm function certification.
Figure 3 Figure 4 Canopy (thimble) unit for ducting a Class II,
Type A BSC2

A. balancing damper, B. flexible connector to exhaust

system, C. cabinet exhaust HEPA filter housing, D.
canopy unit, E. BSC.
Note: There is a 1” gap between the canopy unit (D)
and the exhaust filter housing (C), through which room
air is exhausted.

Photo courtesy
NuAire, Inc. Laboratory Equipment Supply

In a Class II, Type B1 cabinet, the supply blowers in the cabinet draw room air (plus a
percentage of the cabinet’s recirculated air) through the front grille. This air is taken up through
plenums in the side of the cabinet, 30% is forced through the supply HEPA filter, and 70% is
drawn through the exhaust HEPA by the building exhaust system. Approximately 70% of the
down flow supply air is drawn into the rear grille and is directly exhausted through a HEPA to
the building exhaust. Since air near the rear of the cabinet is directly exhausted and not
recirculated, small quantities of volatile chemicals may be worked with in the cabinet, but
should be confined to the rear 50% of the cabinet.

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Figure 5 Figure 6

Photo courtesy
Photo courtesy
NuAire, Inc. Laboratory Equipment Supply
NuAire, Inc. Laboratory Equipment Supply

Note: The cabinet exhaust needs to be hard Note: The cabinet exhaust needs to be hard
connected to the building exhaust system. connected to the building exhaust system.

Class II, Type B2, BSCs (Figure 6) are total exhaust cabinets; no air is recirculated. This
cabinet provides both biological and chemical containment. Consideration must be given to the
chemicals used in BSCs since some chemicals can destroy the filter medium, housings, and/or
gaskets causing loss of containment. The supply blower draws either room or outside air in at
the top of the cabinet, passes it through a HEPA filter and down into the work area of the
cabinet. The building exhaust system draws air through both the rear and front grills producing
an inflow face velocity of 100 lfpm. All air entering this cabinet is exhausted through a HEPA
filter.

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Class II Type C1 BSC

First introduced by Labconco© in 2014 and Figure 7
added to the NSF 49 Standard as an official Class II, Type C1 Biosafety Cabinet
type of BSC in 2016, the Type C1 is
Photo courtesy Labconco Corporation
engineered to have airflow characteristics of
both Type A2 and Type B2 biosafety
cabinets. In addition, this design provides a
unique workspace to ensure optimal airflow and
worker/product protection. Depending on need,
the Type C1 may or may not be hard-ducted to
laboratory exhaust. The airflow diagram is
illustrated in Figure 7.
The Class II Type C1 has two motor/blowers.
The supply motor/blower is positioned above
the supply HEPA filter, and is responsible for
the recirculation of air from the front grille and
sides of the work area back down through the
work area. The exhaust motor/blower is located
before the exhaust HEPA filter, and it draws air
from the center of the work area, and pushes it
through the filter, discharging HEPA-filtered air
either back into the laboratory, or into an
exhaust system. The exhaust design resembles
a Type A2, while the airflow pattern resembles
a Class II Type B1 design. This new design is referenced in the NSF/ANSI 49-2018 revision.

Class III BSC

The Class III BSC (Figure 8) was designed for work with highly infectious microbiological
agents and for the conduct of hazardous operations and provides maximum protection for the
environment and the worker. It is typically appropriate for BSL-4 containment. It is a gas-tight
enclosure with a stationary viewing window. Materials are passed into the cabinet through a
dunk tank, that is accessible through the cabinet floor, or double-door pass-through box (e.g.,
autoclave) that can be decontaminated between uses. The same process is reversed to take
items out of the cabinet. Both supply and exhaust air are HEPA filtered on a Class III cabinet
and the exhaust air must pass through two HEPA filters, or a HEPA filter and an air incinerator,
before discharge to the outside.

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Figure 8 Class III Biological Safety Cabinet

A. glove ports with O-ring for attaching arm-length gloves to cabinet, B. sash, C. exhaust
HEPA filter, D. supply HEPA filter, E. double-ended autoclave or pass-through box.
Note: A chemical dunk tank may be installed which would be located beneath the work
surface of the BSC with access from above. The cabinet exhaust needs to be hard
connected to an independent dedicated exhaust system. The exhaust air must be double
HEPA filtered or HEPA filtered and incinerated.
Long, heavy-duty rubber gloves are attached in a gas-tight manner to ports in the cabinet and
allow direct manipulation of the materials isolated inside. Due to the design of the cabinet,
airflow can be turbulent within the cabinet and laminar airflow is not considered a characteristic
of a Class III BSC.

Laminar Flow “Clean Bench”

Laminar flow clean benches are not biological safety cabinets. They only provide product
protection and no protection for the user. These cabinets come in two varieties: horizontal and
vertical.
Clean benches (Figures 9 and 10) discharge HEPA-filtered air across the work surface and
toward the user. These devices do not provide personnel or environmental protection.
They can be used for certain clean activities, such as the dust-free assembly of sterile
equipment or electronic devices. Clean benches should never be used when handling cell
culture materials or drug formulations, or when manipulating potentially infectious materials.
The worker will be exposed to the materials being manipulated on the clean bench.

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Figure 9 Horizontal laminar flow “clean Figure 10 Vertical laminar flow “clean
bench” bench”

Photo courtesy
Photo courtesy
NuAire, Inc. Laboratory Equipment Supply
NuAire, Inc. Laboratory Equipment Supply
A. front opening, B. supply grille, C. supply
HEPA filter, D. supply plenum, E. blower, F. A. front opening, B. sash, C. supply HEPA
grille. filter, D. blower.

Site Assessment and Proper BSC Placement

Principal Investigators should consult with the Biosafety Officer (BSO) and request a risk
assessment of the proposed research to ensure that an appropriate BSC is used for the work.
The cabinet should be located away from traffic patterns, doors, fans, ventilation registers,
fume hoods and any other air-handling device that could disrupt its airflow patterns. All
windows in the room should be closed. Figure 8 shows the preferred location for the cabinet.
The BSC should be located at the wall furthest from and facing the entry door. If this is not
possible, the BSC should be located on the side wall perpendicular to the hinge side of the
door.
BSCs not connected to an exhaust system should have at least (12 inches) clearance from the
exhaust filter on top of the cabinet and any overhead obstructions when the cabinet is in its
final operating position, to allow for testing of the Exhaust HEPA/ULPA filter.

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All BSCs should be placed in a laboratory at a location that provides a minimum of:
 6 inches from adjacent walls or columns
 6 inches between two BSCs
 6 inches space between both sides of the cabinet and 6 inches behind the BSC to allow
for service operations
 40 inches of open space in front of the BSC
 60 inches from opposing walls, bench tops and areas of occasional traffic
 20 inches between BSC and bench tops along a perpendicular wall
 100 inches between two BSCs facing each other
 60 inches from behind a doorway
 40 inches from an adjacent doorway swing side and
 6 inches from an adjacent doorway hinge side

Figure 11 Location A shows the preferred location. Location B is an alternate location.

The air supply register(s) above or near the cabinet’s location should be redirected
away from the cabinet face. (Image from NSF/ANSI 49-2018 Annex E)

1NSF International (NSF); American National Standards Institute (ANSI). (2022). Biosafety Cabinetry: Design,
Construction, Performance, and Field Certification (NSF/ANSI Standard 49-2022).
2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, N. I., Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (6th
edition). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

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