Basic Documentation

Table Of Contents
Biological Laboratories
Siemens Industry, Inc. 87
Types of Biological Laboratories & Required Type of Biosafety CabinetA Summation of Applicable Code & Standards Requirements
Laboratory
Classification
Biosafety Level 1
(BSL-1)
Biosafety Level 2
(BSL-2)
Biosafety Level 3
(BSL-3)
Biosafety Level 4
(BSL-4)
Potential Hazard & Risk
To Workers and Room
Occupants:
None to Minimal
Moderate
Appropriate For Use With
Human Body Fluids
Moderate to High
(that is, TB, HIV, Encephalitis)
Very High
Extremely Lethal Substances -
No Known Antidote or Cure
Class & Type of Biosafety
Cabinet Normally Required:
None Required
Class I biosafety cabinets are
often utilized in BSL-1 labs.
Class II*
Type A1
Class II*
Type A2
Class II*
Type B1
Class II*
Type B2
Class III
Use of lower class cabinets
requires full body pressure
suits.
Minimum Required Average Face
Velocity of Air Entering the
Cabinet:
75 fpm
(0.38 m/s)
(If Biosafety Cabinets are
used)
75 fpm
(0.38 m/s)
100 fpm
(0.51 m/s)
100 fpm
(0.51 m/s)
100 fpm
(0.51 m/s)***
Minimum Amount of Room
Makeup Air Required:
100% of face opening input
airflow
(if biosafety cabinets are used)
30% of face opening input
airflow
100% of face opening input
airflow
100% of face opening input
airflow if class II cabinets are
used.
Type of Cabinet Exhaust Air
Arrangement:
HEPA Filtered
(If Class II A1 or A2 biosafety
cabinets are used they should
not be ‘hard ducted’’ to the
outdoors.)
HEPA Filtered
(May use a canopy (thimble)
connection to the exhaust duct
at the room.)
HEPA Filtered
Requires ‘hard ductto the
outdoors.
HEPA Filtered
Requires ‘hard duct’ to the
outdoors.
Allowable Exhaust Air that may
be Recirculated Back into the
Laboratory Room:
No Biosafety Cabinet Exhaust
may be Recirculated.
70%Maximum Allowed
(HEPA filtering is required for
air returned to the room)
None Allowed
None Allowed
Degree of Protection Normally
Provided for the Biological
Substances or Agents Present:
*No Protection
Good Protection
Good
Protection
Very Good
Protection
Total Protection
Method of Protection for the
Biological Substances or Agents
Present:
None
Recirculated HEPA Filtered
Exhaust Air
Recirculated
HEPA Filtered
Exhaust Air
Non -
Recirculated
HEPA Filtered
Air
Non - Recirculated HEPA
Filtered Air and an
Environmentally Conditioned
Interior
Amount Of Toxic Chemicals
and/or Radionuclides that may be
Present or Used:
None
**Minute Quantities Only
**Minute
Quantities
Only
As Needed
As Needed
(Except for Class II
B1Cabinets**)
Environmental Protection:
(Applies to the air exhausted from
the laboratory and the biosafety
cabinets.)
If a biosafety cabinet is utilized
a HEPA filter is recommended
for the exhaust air.
HEPA Filtered Exhaust
HEPA Filtered Exhaust
HEPA Filtered Exhaust
* Class I Biosafety cabinets may also be used in Laboratories of Biosafety levels 2 & 3 if no contamination protection is required for the biological substance. However a Class I
Biosafety Cabinet is not recommended for use with highly infectious agents because an interruption of the inward airflow may allow aerosolized particles to escape.
** Because approximately 70% of the airflow is recirculated, the cabinet is not ideally suitable for use with flammable, toxic, or radioactive agents.
*** The cabinet exhaust and room ventilation system should be able to maintain a minimum of 100 fpm (0.51 m/s) through any opening in a Class III cabinet that may occur such as
the inadvertent removal of a glove.