Fume Hoods and Biological Safety Cabinets

Testing of fume hoods and biological safety cabinets... 

Chemical Fume Hoods and Biological Safety Cabinets... 

CHEMICAL FUME HOODS AND BIOLOGICAL SAFETY CABINETS... 

The class I biological safety cabinet is intermediate between a fume hood and a closed glove box. This cabinet can be used with the front open or be fitted with gloves. Since the front access opening is normally only 8 inches high, the cabinet requires less ventilation than a fume hood. Class I cabinets are used with an airflow at the face of 100 linear feet per minute. 

In general, four types of cabinets are used for work with research quantities of chemical carcinogens. These are the conventional fume hood a Class I biological safety cabinet a Class II (Type B) biological safety cabinet and a Class III closed glove box system (8). 

Engineered safely equipment is preferred over the reliance on personal protective equipment, and the fume hood is one such engineered safety device that is nearly ubiquitous in laboratories. Laboratories concerned with biological specimens (microbes, spores) also commonly are equipped with biological safety cabinets. The following section provides basic information on the function and application of these devices. The purpose here is not to provide design or installation instructions, since most users will find this equipment already installed in their work spaces. Rather, this information is to allow optimal use to be made of the installation that is preexisting. 

Protective equipment. Cover use of fume hoods, bench shields, biological safety cabinets, glove boxes, motor belt guards, respirators or gas masks, and training necessary for their proper use. 

BIOLOGICAL SAFETY CABINET CLASS I A type of fume hood with an open face and fixed opening. Air is drawn in from the room and exhausted through the hood. This design is good for personnel protection but not protection of the research products. Suitable for LOW RISK or MODERATE RISK biological agents. 

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