Biosafety Cabinets

Biological safety cabinets are designed to protect personnel and the environment from exposure to potentially hazardous aerosols.

Biological safety cabinets should be certified at least annually; after a new cabinet has been purchased and installed, but before it is used; and after it has been moved or relocated. 

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Laminar flow hoods are designed for pouring culture media and other procedures demanding clean product but not for containment of biohazards. If you want to use a laminar flow hood and do not know where one is, call the biological safety office (766-3277) to get help locating one you can use.

Call the Biosafety Specialist to schedule the certification or repair of your biosafety cabinet or Laminar flow hood.  Currently, principle investigators are responsible for bearing the cost of maintaining biological safety cabinets.

Biosafety cabinets that are not certified should be turned off. 

In addition, place a sign on the cabinet which states: 

"This Biological Safety Cabinet is Not Certified. Do Not Use for Containment of Infectious Materials" 

See attached file:

• Biological Safety Cabinet DO NOT USE sign (Word format)

Useful Information

• NSF_ANSI 49 Annex I-1

• Biosafety Cabinet info from BMBL6Ed

• How Biosafety Cabinets Work to Protect You