When working with potentially hazardous or sensitive samples, proper containment is critical for ensuring lab safety and sample integrity.
Biosafety cabinets are semi-enclosed systems that utilize HEPA filtration and directional airflow to protect lab personnel, the environment, and sensitive materials from potential contamination. BSCs are used extensively in fields such as microbiology, virology, and pharmaceuticals, where sterile conditions and containment are critical to lab operations.
Biological safety cabinets are divided into three classes:
- Class I biosafety cabinets offer protection for laboratory personnel and the lab environment, but do not offer protection for the product or specimen within them. Functionally, class I BSCs operate similarly to chemical fume hoods with the addition of HEPA filtration to protect the environment. Class I BSCs are most suitable for low-risk agents and general non-sterile biological research.
- Class II biosafety cabinets offer protection for laboratory personnel, the environment, and the product or specimen within them. Class II biosafety cabinets are divided into four types (A1, A2, B1, B2) which are determined by the amount of air that is recirculated. Class II biosafety cabinets are suitable for research requiring sterile conditions for biological agents such as microbiological studies or tissue culture.
- Class III biosafety cabinets are hermetically sealed and offer the highest level of protection for level 4 containment labs. Offering multiple HEPA filters and access through a dunk tank or double-door box that allows for decontamination, class III BSCs are suitable for level 4 highly infectious or hazardous agents such as pathogens or toxins.
In addition to the containment level and type, when comparing BSCs it is important to consider how air is recirculated or exhausted as well as the amounts of exhausted or recirculated air. Exhaust requirements differ amongst many BSCs with some offering air discharge directly into the lab while others require inclusion with house exhaust systems.
Interested in learning more about BSCs? Be sure to read our Biosafety Cabinet Buyers Guide as well as What to Ask When Purchasing a Biosafety Cabinet.
Below you will find a few of our top-rated biological safety cabinets, you can compare specifications or request a quote from leading suppliers.
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| Company | NuAire | Esco Technologies | TopAir Sytems Inc. |
| Item | LabGard ES (Energy Saver) NU-540 Class II, Type A2 Biosafety Cabinet | Labculture® Class II, Type B2 (LB2) Biosafety Cabinet | Biosafety Cabinet Class II A2 |
| Citations | | | |
| Price | Inquire | | |
| Class/Type | Class II, Type A2 | Class II, Type B2 | Class II, Type A2 |
| Air Inflow Rate | 105 fpm (0.53 m/s) | Inflow: 105 fpm (0.53 m/s) | Downflow: 60 fpm (0.30 m/s) | 0.5 m/s, 100 fpm |
| Size(s) | 3, 4, 5, 6-foot (0.9, 1.2, 1.5, 1.8-meter) | 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 foot (0.9, 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 2.4 meter) | 3, 4, 5, and 6-foot |
| Exterior Dimensions | varies with model | Depth x Height: 33.5 x 63.4 in for all width, plus 28 to 35 in high stand | Width selection: 44.0, 56.0, 68.0, 80.0, 102.4 in | (WxDxH) 32 x 31.5 x 59 in ; Width selection: 32, 46, 60, 72 in |
| Interior Dimensions | varies with model | Depth x Height: 24.5 x 28.1 in for all | Width selection: 38.2, 50.0, 61.8, 73.6, 96.0 in | (WxDxH) 32.8 x 23.6 x 25.2 in ; Width selection: 32.8, 44.4, 57, 67.5 in |
| Recirculated/Exhausted Air | 70% / 30% | Total Exhaust, Hard Ducted | 70% / 30% |
| Description | The LabGard® ES NU-540 Class II, Type A2 Laminar Flow Biological Safety Cabinet (LFBSC) is an effective primary engineering control in obtaining the | Esco Labculture B2 (LB2) series BSCs are full-sized, high performance, biological safety cabinets, designed to provide maximum operator and product | TopAir’s Class II, Type A2 Biological Safety Cabinet protects lab staff, the environment and sensitive work processes in which biological agents are |
| Get Quote | Inquire | | |
Already own a biological safety cabinet and want to get the most out of it? Be sure to read When Should I Change My BSC Filters, 3 Ways to Customize Your Biological Safety Cabinet, and Safe Handling of Viruses in a Biosafety Cabinet.