The Class II Biosafety Cabinet is mainly used for handling pathogenic biological samples or for applications that require a sterile work zone. A biological safety cabinet is designed to have: an inflow for protecting the operator, an ULPA/HEPA-filtered downflow which creates an ISO Class 3 work surface that prevents cross contamination for protecting the sample, and an ULPA/HEPA-filtered exhaust for protecting the environment.
Must-have features to consider:
- Certified to NSF 49, EN 12469
- Options for side panel construction
- Choice of multipiece or single-piece worktrays
- Equipped with DC-ECM blower for 70% energy savings compared to AC motor
- Offers a broad range of sizes to fit any available laboratory space
- Has stable and self-compensating airflow, despite building voltage fluctuations & filter loading
- UV lamp for decontamination
- Airflow sensor to alert the user if airflow is sufficient for greater safety
- Alarm for unsafe sash conditions
- Ergonomically-designed raised arm rest helps prevent grille blocking and create a comfortable working posture
- Isocide™ powder coat that inhibits microbial growth
SC2-_E_
Streamline® Class II Biological Safety Cabinet - E Series
Specifications:
- Multi-piece work tray
- Glass sidewall
- Sentinel™ Silver Microprocessor controller
- Available width sizes: 4 ft and 6 ft
SC2-_S_
Streamline® Class II Biological Safety Cabinet - S Series
Specifications:
- Single-piece work tray
- Stainless Steel sidewall
- Sentinel™ Silver Microprocessor controller
- Available width sizes: 4 ft and 6 ft
AB2-_S_
Airstream® Class II Type B2 (Total Exhaust) Biological Safety Cabinet
Specifications:
- Dynamic Chamber™ Plenum design delivers quiet, uniform airflow
- Double-wall construction with negative pressure plenums
- Low noise level
- Available width sizes: 3 ft, 4 ft, 5 ft and 6 ft
- Compliant to NSF 49
AC2-_S_-CN
Airstream® Gen 3 Class II Type A2 Biological Safety Cabinet
Specifications:
- Has CFDA Class III medical device registration certificate
- Stainless steel Interior
- Single-piece work tray
- Stainless Steel sidewall
- Equipped with DC ECM motor for up to 70% energy savings
- Sentinel™ Gold Microprocessor controller
- Low noise level
- Available width sizes: 4 ft and 6 ft
Only available in China
AC2-_E_-CN
Airstream® Gen 3 Class II Type A2 Biological Safety Cabinet
Specifications:
- Has CFDA Class III medical device registration certificate
- Multi-piece work tray
- Glass sidewall
- Equipped with DC ECM motor for up to 70% energy savings
- Sentinel™ Gold Microprocessor controller
- Low noise level
- Available width sizes: 4 ft and 6 ft
Only available in China
AC2-_D_
Airstream® Gen 3 Class II Biological Safety Cabinet – D Series
Specifications:
- Stainless steel Interior
- Single-piece work tray
- Stainless steel sidewall
- Equipped with two DC ECM motors for redundant system that provides protection in case of a power failure
- Sentinel™ Gold Microprocessor controller
- Low noise level
- Available width sizes: 4 ft and 6 ft
AC2-_E_
Airstream® Gen 3 Class II Biological Safety Cabinet – E Series
Specifications:
- Multi-piece work tray
- Glass sidewall
- Equipped with DC ECM motor for up to 70% energy savings
- Sentinel™ Gold Microprocessor controller
- Low noise level
- Available width sizes: 2 ft, 3 ft, 4 ft, 5 ft, and 6 ft
AC2-_G_
Airstream® Gen 3 Class II Biological Safety Cabinet – G Series
Specifications:
- E.G. Steel back wall
- Multi-piece work tray
- Glass sidewall
- Equipped with two DC ECM motors for redundant system that provides protection in case of a power failure
- Sentinel™ Gold Microprocessor controller
- Low noise level
- Available width sizes: 4 ft and 6 ft
AC2-_K_
Airstream® Class II Type A2 Biological Safety Cabinet
Specifications:
- Compliant to AS 1807.22
- Single piece, recessed worktray
- Equipped with DC ECM motor for up to 70% energy savings
- Sentinel™ Gold Microprocessor controller
- Low noise level
- Available width sizes: 4 ft
Only available in Australia
AC2-_S_
Airstream® Gen 3 Class II Biological Safety Cabinet – S Series
Specifications:
- Stainless Steel Interior
- Single-piece work tray
- Stainless steel sidewall
- Equipped with DC ECM motor for up to 70% energy savings
- Sentinel™ Gold Microprocessor controller
- Low noise level
- Available width sizes: 2 ft, 3 ft, 4 ft, 5 ft, and 6 ft
AC2-_S_-NS
Airstream® NSF-Certified Class II Type A2 Biological Safety Cabinet
Specifications:
- Single-piece wall
- Single-piece work tray
- Equipped with DC ECM motor for up to 70% energy savings
- Sentinel™ Gold Microprocessor controller
- Low noise level
- Available width sizes: 3 ft, 4 ft, 5 ft and 6 ft
AC2-_E_-TU
Airstream® Plus Class II Biological Safety Cabinet – E Series
Specifications:
- Multi-piece work tray, stainless steel and glass hybrid side walls
- Equipped with two DC ECM blowers for up to 70% energy savings
- Motorized sash window
- LED lighting system
- Sentinel™ Gold Microprocessor controller
- Optional H2O2 Injection Port
- Available width sizes: 3 ft, 4 ft, 5 ft and 6 ft
AC2-_S_-TU
Airstream® Plus Class II Biological Safety Cabinet – S Series
Specifications:
- Single-piece work tray, stainless steel side walls
- Equipped with DC ECM motor for up to 70% energy savings
- Motorized sash window
- LED lighting system
- Sentinel™ Gold Microprocessor controller
- Optional H2O2 Injection Port
- Available width sizes: 3 ft, 4 ft, 5 ft and 6 ft
NC2-L
NordicSafe® Class II Microbiological Safety Cabinet
Specifications:
- Quietest cabinet in the industry at 51 dBA
- Extremely low energy consumption (190 watts)
- Multi-piece work tray, stainless steel and glass side walls
- Equipped with energy-efficient DC ECM blower from ebm-papst Germany
- Motorized sash window
- Sentinel™ Gold Microprocessor controller
- Available width sizes: 3 ft, 4 ft, and 6 ft
Only for EU countries
AR2-_S_
Airstream® Reliant Class II Type A2 Biological Safety Cabinet
Specifications:
- Stainless Steel side wall
- Single-piece work tray
- Equipped with DC ECM motor for up to 70% energy savings
- Easy to use Rocker switches and pressure gauge
- Low noise level
- Available width sizes: 3 ft, 4 ft, 5 ft and 6 ft
Only available in USA
LA2-_A_-E
Labculture® Class II A2 Biological Safety Cabinet
Specifications:
- ULPA Filter
- ISO Class 3 Work zone
- Equipped with DC ECM motor for up to 70% energy savings
- Dynamic Chamber™ prevents contaminants from escaping
- Sentinel™ Gold Microprocessor controller
- Angled front (8.5°) to optimize user comfort and ergonomics.
- Available sizes: 3 ft, 4 ft, 5 ft, 6 ft, and 8 ft
LA2-_L_-E
Labculture® (Low Noise) Class II Biological Safety Cabinet
Specifications:
- ULPA Filter
- ISO Class 3 Work zone
- Equipped with DC ECM motor for up to 70% energy savings
- Dynamic Chamber™ prevents contaminants from escaping
- Sentinel™ Gold Microprocessor controller
- Angled front (8.5°) to optimize user comfort and ergonomics
- Low noise
- Available sizes: 3 ft, 4 ft, 5 ft, 6 ft, and 8 ft
LR2-S
Labculture® Reliant Class II A2 Biological Safety Cabinet
Specifications:
- ULPA Filter
- ISO Class 3 Work zone
- Equipped with DC ECM motor for up to 70% energy savings
- Dynamic Chamber™ prevents contaminants from escaping
- Rocker switches and pressure gauge
- Angled front (8.5°) to optimize user comfort and ergonomics
- Available sizes: 4 ft, 5 ft, 6 ft, and 8 ft
Only available in USA
LB1-_
Labculture® Class II B1 Biological Safety Cabinet
Specifications:
- ULPA Filter
- ISO Class 3 Work zone
- Equipped with DC ECM motor for up to 70% energy savings
- Dynamic Chamber™ prevents contaminants from escaping
- Sentinel™ Gold Microprocessor controller
- Angled front (8.5°) to optimize user comfort and ergonomics.
- Available sizes: 4 ft
LB2-_B_-E
Labculture® Class II B2 Biological Safety Cabinet
Specifications:
- ULPA Filter
- ISO Class 3 Work zone
- Equipped with DC ECM motor for up to 70% energy savings
- Dynamic Chamber™ prevents contaminants from escaping
- Sentinel™ Gold Microprocessor controller
- Angled front (8.5°) to optimize user comfort and ergonomics.
- Available sizes: 3 ft, 4 ft, 5 ft, and 6 ft
- Handling of low to moderate risk biological agents
-Applicable for handling pathogens under Risk Groups 1,2, and 3
Class II Biosafety Cabinets are open-fronted which protect the laboratory workers and the environment from harmful biological agents. Class II BSCs also prevent biological materials (i.e cell cultures, microbiological stocks) inside it from being contaminated.
Yes, Class II BSC is the most common type used for handling blood, serum, and urine samples. The Class II BSC provides a sterile environment for the samples and reduces the risk of cross-contamination while protecting the operators from the biohazards.
Gaseous decontamination is required when:
- the biological safety cabinet needs to have its filter replaced.
- the biosafety cabinet is relocated to another area or facility
- the BSC will undergo certification. The decontamination provides more protection for the engineer who will be certifying the cabinet.
- there are cases of major spills
Esco recommends the use of 70% Isopropyl alcohol as a cleaning agent for all biosafety cabinets. Cleaning agents with bleach or are chlorine-based must be avoided as it may cause rusting or staining.
No. Open flame should not be used in a BSC. The heat from the flame disrupts the airflow containment and can be dangerous when volatile or flammable substances are also used.
Microburners, microincenerators, or electric furnaces are available as alternatives. When deemed absolutely necessary, the bunsen burner can only be used with its flame at its lowest level.
Type A biological safety cabinet has a ductless design. It has a plug-and-play feature which means that once the unit is delivered and installed, it can be immediately used.
Type B biosafety cabinet requires a ducting system. The laboratory must have a sufficient space and height clearance since this type of BSC needs an installation and exhaust blower.
Some microbiological processes require small amounts of chemicals. This type of handling is allowed as biological safety cabinets may be upgraded to have a thimble ducting or carbon filter to accommodate small volumes of chemicals. However, a high concentration of corrosive acids is not allowed as it may damage the ULPA filters and cause corrosion.
Esco Class II Biosafety Cabinets have audio and visual alarms for:
- unsafe sash height
- airflow failure
Yes. For additional convenience, Class II BSCs can be customized to have a microscope pouch. Please contact your local Esco representative for more information.
The estimated shelf life of HEPA or ULPA filters is up to 10 years when stored properly.
Filters should be kept in their original packaging and should not be exposed to dampness, excessive heat, cold or rapidly changing temperatures. These filters can tolerate up to 95% humidity; anything higher can cause the filter media to block and fail.