Basic Documentation

Laboratory Ventilation Codes and Standards
Siemens Industry, Inc. 70
Topic
Requirement(s)
Commentary
Containment
Levels -
Canada
Public Health Agency of Canada, Office of Laboratory Security, Biosafety
Division, Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines, 3
rd
Edition 2011:
Containment level 1 (CL1)
CL1 requires no special design features beyond those suitable for a well-designed
and functional laboratory. Biological safety cabinets (BSC’s) are not required. Work
may be done on an open bench top, and containment is achieved through the use of
practices normally employed in a basic microbiology laboratory.
Containment level 2 (CL2)
The primary exposure hazards associated with organisms requiring CL2 are through
the ingestion, inoculation and mucous membrane route. Agents requiring CL2
facilities are not generally transmitted by airborne routes, but care must be taken to
avoid the generation of aerosols (aerosols can settle on bench tops and become an
ingestion hazard through contamination of the hands) or splashes. Primary
containment devices such as BSC's and centrifuges with sealed rotors or safety cups
are to be used as well as appropriate personal protective equipment (that is, gloves,
laboratory coats, protective eyewear). As well, environmental contamination must be
minimized by the use of handwashing sinks and decontamination facilities
(autoclaves).
Containment Level 3 (CL3)
These agents may be transmitted by the airborne route, often have a low infectious
dose to produce effects and can cause serious or life-threatening disease. CL3
emphasizes additional primary and secondary barriers to minimize the release of
infectious organisms into the immediate laboratory and the environment. Additional
features to prevent transmission of CL3 organisms are appropriate respiratory
protection, HEPA filtration of exhausted laboratory air and strictly controlled
laboratory access.
Containment Level 4 (CL4)
These agents have the potential for aerosol transmission, often have a low infectious
dose and produce very serious and often fatal disease; there is generally no
treatment or vaccine available. This level of containment represents an isolated unit,
functionally and, when necessary, structurally independent of other areas. CL4
emphasizes maximum containment of the infectious agent by complete sealing of the
facility perimeter with confirmation by pressure decay testing; isolation of the
researcher from the pathogen by his or her containment in a positive pressure suit or
containment of the pathogen in a Class III BSC line; and decontamination of air and
other effluents produced in the facility.
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