Biosafety cabinet and ultra-clean workbench main certification - Database & Sql Blog Articles

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Biosafety cabinets and ultra-clean workbenches are essential equipment in laboratories, especially when handling hazardous materials. However, many users are not fully aware of the performance, testing procedures, or certifications required for these instruments. This lack of knowledge can lead to serious consequences, such as laboratory virus leaks that have occurred in places like Singapore, Taiwan, and Beijing. It's crucial to understand that relying solely on wind speed measurements is not enough to ensure safety. Instead, standardized testing and certification play a vital role in guaranteeing the reliability and effectiveness of these devices.

What are the main certifications for biosafety cabinets and ultra-clean workbenches?

Many users are not familiar with the technical aspects of biosafety cabinets and clean benches, which creates a blind spot in their understanding. These blind spots can lead to dangerous situations, including exposure to harmful pathogens. Therefore, it’s important to recognize that proper certification and testing are key to ensuring safe operation.

While both ultra-clean workbenches and biosafety cabinets rely on airflow for protection, they serve different purposes. Ultra-clean workbenches protect the sample but not the operator, whereas biosafety cabinets provide protection for both the sample and the user. This distinction makes biosafety cabinets more critical in environments where biological hazards are present.

The current international standards for ultra-clean workbenches include:

• ISO 14644.1 – Air cleanliness level
• Australian Standard AS1807
• IEST-RP-CC002.2 standard

For biological safety cabinets, the following standards are commonly used:

• US ANSI/NSF49 (for secondary biosafety cabinets)
• European standard EN12469:2000 (covering first, second, and third-class cabinets)

Certification processes for ultra-clean workbenches typically involve the following steps:

1. Measuring the airflow rate using a rotating vane anemometer or hot wire anemometer. The average safe airflow should be between 0.4–0.5 m/s, with a maximum deviation of 20%.
2. Testing the integrity of the HEPA filter using a natural aerosol tester.
3. Measuring internal light intensity and noise levels.

Biosafety cabinets, on the other hand, require more rigorous testing due to their dual protective function. Common testing procedures include:

1. Measuring the inflow airflow using a heat anemometer or DIM airflow hood.
2. Determining the downward airflow rate using a thermal anemometer, depending on the NSF49 or EN12469 standards.
3. Testing the ULPA filter using an aerosol photometer, aerosol generator, pressure gauge, and PAO meter.
4. Measuring noise, light intensity, and vibration levels.
5. Using a smoke generator to visualize the airflow pattern and ensure no contamination risks.