Customising Laboratory Equipment:

Biological Safety Cabinets

Esco’s Laboratory Department has beendesigning and manufacturing Biological SafetyCabinets since the company was established in1978.

Over the subsequent 40 years, everyopportunity has been taken to learn aboutproduct efficiency, design ergonomics andchanging client requirements.

This product evolution has produced a rangeof market leading equipment that can betailored to different processes andenvironments.

A Biological Safety Cabinet is a primaryengineering control which provides userprotection against biohazards. The inflow aircreates an airflow barrier preventingaccidental release of biohazards from thecabinet’s working area and, at the same time,provides product protection with the airflowbarrier inside the work zone, which is createdby the downflow air.

Biosafety Cabinets are divided to three classesdepending on the application, inflow velocitiesand exhaust requirements. Refer to Table 1.

Introduction

Table 1: Classification of Biological Safety Cabinets (per EN 12469)

* Open front cabinets (e.g. Class II BSC) can still be used in BSL 4 facilities but will require positive-pressured personnel suit for laboratory users.

Class Protection offered Recirculating Air (%) Exhaust Air (%) Biosafety Level

IOperator Protection

only0 100 1,2 & 3

IIOperator and

Sample Protection70 30 1,2 & 3*

IIIOperator and

Sample Protection, Sealed enclosure

0 100 1,2,3 & 4

The class II cabinet is the most commonsafety cabinet of all the different typesavailable. It has a plenum from which 30% ofair is exhausted, and 70% re-circulated tothe work area as the downflow.

Airstream® Biosafety Cabinets

In the European market, the Airstream®range is our biggest selling unit due to itsdesign adaptability, effectiveness andaffordability. Airstream® offers a widevariety of models all designed to suitmultiple processes and requirements.

The Airstream® E-Series (AC2-E) is availablein 2ft to 6ft units and has an antimicrobialcoating on all painted surfaces as standard.

With the presence of its DC ECM blower, it isconsidered an energy-efficient Class IIBiosafety Cabinet with 70% energy savingscompared to an AC motor.

It also features stable and self-compensatingairflow, despite building voltage fluctuations& filter loading. Certified to EN 12469, Esco’sAirstream® Class II Biological Safety Cabinetalso has an antimicrobial coating on itsexternal painted surfaces for improvedsafety.

Key Advantages:

• Sentinel™ Gold Microprocessor Controllerdisplays all safety information on onescreen.

• Curved Corner and Glass Side with largecorner radius facilitates easily cleaningand enables easy reach of service fixtureand outlets.

• Ergonomically-designed raised arm resthelps prevent grill blocking and create acomfortable working posture.

• Low Noise and Ergonomic Design.

Figure 1: BSC Class II Airflow Diagram

Figure 2: AC2-4E8

Another recognized product of theAirstream® Series is the Airstream® PlusClass II Biological Safety Cabinet (E-Series),TUV NORD. These units still have thefeatures of the Airstream® Gen 3 but nowupgraded with LED light, dual DC-ECMmotor and added with optional hydrogenperoxide injection port for even betterdecontamination process.

Key Advantages:

• Sentinel™ Gold MicroprocessorController displays all safety informationon one screen.

• Motorized window offering an aerosoltight seal with the convenience ofmoving the window by a fingertip.

• Easy-to-reach service fixtures andoutlets, large corner radius for easycleaning.

• Removable Paper Catch which is easy toclean with optional pre-filter.

• RS 232 data output port enables remotemonitoring of cabinet operatingparameters.

• Angled Drain Pan that is easy to cleanand does not harbor contaminants.

Labculture® Biosafety Cabinets

The Labculture® combines a multitude ofdesign features to provide optimumoperator, product and environmentalprotection. It utilizes 2 minipleat ULPA(Ultra Low Air Penetration) filters whichoperate at a typical efficiency of 99.999%.

Ergonomic features include: a 10-degreesloped front sash to minimize glares andreflections and a single-piece steel workzone with the absence of screws orconnectors for hassle-free cleaning.

Key Advantages:

• Negative pressure plenum surrounds thecontaminated positive pressure plenum;no fabric bags are used.

• Night setback mode / standby modereduces power consumption whilemaintaining containment.

• A frameless sash that is easier to clean.

• Coved single-piece work surface containsspillage. The absence of screws orconnectors in the work zone facilitatesease of cleaning and decontamination.

Figure 3: AC2-4E8-TU Figure 4: LA2-4A1-E

The Project

Esco was selected as the successful providerof biological safety cabinets (BSCs) by aglobally recognised pharmaceuticalcompany.

Generally, our BSCs are a standardised unitwith different options available to suit theclient’s intended processes.

The selectable options include unit sizesfrom 2ft to 6ft, an Ultraviolet Lamp (UV),electrical outlets and service fixtures for gas,nitrogen, air, water, a vacuum or a universalfixture.

For this specific project, the client neededcustomisations for both aesthetic andprocess driven reasons.

The Airstream® TU model and Labculture®model were selected as basis models.

Airstream® Customisations

The Standard AC2-TU model was customizedto have a SS304 external construction andthe internal work zone was upgraded fromSS304 to SS316.

The client’s process required the removal ofUV lamp provision on all 12 cabinets.

Two of the Biosafety Cabinets werecustomized to have 2 IP66 electrical socketson the left of the chamber.

As for the remaining 10 units, 4 IP66electrical outlets, data cable glands, and 40mm thread service fixtures for vacuum andair were added.

Labculture® Customisations

The remaining 3 Biosafety Cabinet werecustomised versions of Esco’s Labculture® 4ft. and 6 ft. models.

The unit’s external construction wasmodified to SS 304 while the internal wasimproved to SS 316. The provision for UVlamp and service fixtures were alsoremoved.

Each unit was modified to have an IP66electrical outlet, a data cable gland and astainless-steel name plate. A motorisedstainless steel support stand was also addedto provide adaptability of the height so thatthe operator can adjust it to the mostergonomic position.

The final customization was the inclusion ofa photohelic gauge with an alarm. Thisdevice measures and controls pressures ofair or compatible gases.

The addition of an alarm offers safety as itensures that in any instance where thepressure deviates from the optimal level, it isbrought to the client’s attentionimmediately.

Project Summary

The customization of Airstream® andLabculture® Biosafety cabinets did notpose a challenge for Esco GB Ltd UK todeliver. The project involved upgrading thematerials of the unit and adding severalfeatures in order to meet the client’srequirements.

As a result of the ability to improveexisting standard biosafety cabinets, Escowas able to supply the client with cabinetsthat matched their process and that fitinto their company’s aesthetic.

The clients have expressed theirsatisfaction regarding the overall handlingof the project. Throughout the process,weekly reports, updates and photos ofprogress were submitted to provide theclients with confidence that Esco will beable to complete the project and deliveron time.

With this, Esco has continuously proven toprovide customer satisfaction throughworld-class product and services.

For more information, please visit: www.escoglobal.com

We understand your BSC requirements.Esco offers a wide range of Biosafety Cabinet models to suit your samples, application, and requirements.

Class I Biosafety Cabinets

Model: AC1-4E8

Class II Biosafety Cabinets

Labculture® Class II BSC

Model: LA2-4L1

Airstream® Class I BSC Airstream® Class II BSC

Class II Biosafety Cabinets Class III Biosafety Cabinets

Model: AC3-4B1

Airstream® Class III BSC