Basic Documentation

Table Of Contents
Laboratory Ventilation Codes and Standards
Siemens Industry, Inc. 64
Topic Requirement(s) Commentary
Ventilation
for Biosafety
Level 2
ASHRAE, 2011 Handbook - HVAC Applications, Laboratories, Pg. 14.16,
Containment Laboratories:
Biosafety Level 2
Federal guidelines for these laboratories contain minimum facility
guidelines….however typical HVAC design criteria can include the following:
100% outdoor air systems
6 to 15 air changes per hour
Directional airflow into the laboratory rooms
Site-specified hood face velocity at fume hoods (many institutions specify
80 to 100 fpm)
An assessment of research equipment heat load in a room.
Inclusion of biological safety cabinets
U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention publication: Biosafety in Microbiology and Biomedical Laboratories,
(BMBL) 5th edition 2009:
There are no specific requirements for ventilation systems. However, planning of new
facilities should consider mechanical ventilation systems that provide an inward flow
of air without recirculation to spaces outside of the laboratory.
BSCs must be installed so that fluctuations of the room air supply and exhaust do not
interfere with proper operations. BSCs should be located away from doors, windows
that can be opened, heavily traveled laboratory areas, and other possible airflow
disruptions
BSCs can also be connected to the laboratory exhaust system by either a thimble
(canopy) connection or directly exhausted to the outside through a hard connection.
Provisions to assure proper safety cabinet performance and air system operation
must be verified.
HEPA filtered exhaust air from a Class II BSC can be safely recirculation back into
the laboratory environment if the cabinet is tested and certified at least annually and
operated according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
American Institute of Architects, GUIDELINES FOR PLANNING AND DESIGN OF
BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH LABORATORY FACILITIES 1999
C.11.3 BL-2 b. Directional Airflow: All laboratories shall have single-pass air. The
airflow shall be directed from clean areas to potentially contaminated areas and from
low-hazard to high-
hazard area. Air supply diffusers must be supplied with diffusers to
direct air away from fume hoods and BSCs in order to minimize potential disruptive
air currents.
Ventilation systems serving laboratories with a
BL2 or higher classification should be
designed to allow easy access for regular
inspection, testing and adjustment without the
necessity to disturb or upset the laboratory
function. Locating ventilation components
(terminal units, filters, distribution ducts, etc.)
in an interstitial space is recommended.
The AIA requires directional air flow. However,
the CDC only suggests it.