What Are the Different Types of Biosafety Cabinets

Biosafety cabinets are classified into three main categories—Class I, Class II, and Class III—based on their level of protection and airflow design 78. Each type serves specific applications, from basic microbiological work to high-risk pathogen containment.

1- Class I Biosafety Cabinets

Protection: Personnel and environment only (no product protection).
Airflow: Unfiltered room air enters the cabinet, while exhaust air passes through a HEPA filter before being released 714.

Applications:

• Enclosing equipment like centrifuges or homogenizers.
• Handling low to moderate-risk agents (Biosafety Levels 1-3).

Limitations:

• Not suitable for sterile work due to unfiltered inward airflow.
• Less common than Class II cabinets in modern labs 8.

2- Class II Biosafety Cabinets

Protection: Personnel, product, and environment.
Airflow: Combines downward HEPA-filtered laminar flow (product protection) and inward airflow (personnel protection). Exhaust air is also filtered 614.

Class II cabinets are further divided into subtypes:

1. Type A2 (Most Common)

• Recirculation: ~70% air recirculated, 30% exhausted.
• Use Case: Low to moderate-risk biological work; can handle trace chemicals if externally vented 68.

1. Type B1

• Recirculation: 30% air recirculated, 70% exhausted.
• Use Case: Low-level toxic chemicals or radionuclides 67.

1. Type B2 (100% Exhaust)

• Use Case: Hazardous chemicals or high-risk pathogens (e.g., tuberculosis research) 68.

1. Type C1 (Hybrid)

• Use Case: Flexible applications requiring both recirculation and exhaust modes 6.

3- Class III Biosafety Cabinets (Glove Boxes)

Protection: Maximum containment for personnel, product, and environment.
Design: Fully enclosed, gas-tight with attached gloves and a pass-through sterilization chamber 714.

Applications:

• Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) labs (e.g., Ebola research).
• Handling highly infectious agents.

Leading Biological Safety Cabinet Manufacturers

When selecting a Bio Safety Cabinet, consider reputable manufacturers known for quality and compliance standards . Here are some top manufacturers:

1. Lab Creator

• Offers a range of Class II Type A2 and B2 cabinets.
• Features advanced airflow monitoring and ergonomic designs 4.

2. Lab Turnkey

• Specializes in ergonomic and energy-efficient BSCs.
• Focuses on pharmaceutical and biomedical applications 12.