Frequently Asked Questions

Biosafety cabinets are generally classified into Class I, Class II, and Class III cabinets based on their level of containment and airflow design. Class I cabinets protect personnel and the environment but not the product, Class II cabinets provide protection for personnel, product, and environment, and Class III cabinets are fully enclosed glovebox systems used for high-risk pathogens. Class II cabinets are further divided into Type A1, A2, B1, and B2, which differ in airflow patterns and exhaust handling.

Labconco biosafety cabinets are designed and tested to comply with NSF/ANSI 49, the primary North American standard governing biosafety cabinet design, construction, and performance. Models are also UL and ETL listed for electrical safety. Compliance with recognized standards ensures that the cabinet meets verified containment, airflow, and safety performance criteria.

Labconco biosafety cabinets are manufactured in several standard widths to accommodate different laboratory spaces and workflows. The most common sizes are 3 ft (0.9 m), 4 ft (1.2 m), 5 ft (1.5 m), 6 ft (1.8 m), and 8 ft (2.4m) cabinets, with larger cabinets providing greater working area and the ability to accommodate more equipment or multiple users. Selection of cabinet width depends on available laboratory space, workflow requirements, and the size of equipment used inside the cabinet.

Different types of BSCs are available in smaller subsets of widths. While all widths are available for Type A2 BSCs, Type B2 and C1 are only available in 4 ft and 6 ft widths.

The sash height refers to the vertical opening between the cabinet work surface and the movable front glass sash. Biosafety cabinets are designed with a recommended operating sash height, indicated by a marker, which ensures the correct inflow velocity and containment performance. Cabinets also include safety features such as audible and visual sash alarms to alert the user if the sash is at an unsafe position during operation.

Common sash heights are 8", 10", and 12". There is a tradeoff between larger sash heights for access and ergonomics versus airflow required for containment and energy usage of BSCs. Users should evaluate their ergonomic and material loading needs compared to energy usage and building exhaust requirements.

The Class II Type A2 biosafety cabinet is the most widely used BSC in laboratories. It provides personnel, product, and environmental protection using HEPA-filtered vertical laminar airflow and recirculates approximately 70% of the air within the cabinet while exhausting the remainder. Type A2 cabinets are commonly used for microbiology, cell culture, molecular biology, and pharmaceutical applications involving biological agents.

Standard biosafety cabinets are designed primarily for biological containment, not chemical handling. Small quantities of volatile chemicals may be used in certain cabinets, typically Class II Type A2 cabinets that are ducted to an external exhaust system. Larger volumes of chemicals may be used in Class II Type B cabinets that exhaust air directly outside the laboratory. Larger volumes of chemicals can also be used in Type C1 cabinets, where the central, clearly demarcated Chem-Zone is completely exhausted. Laboratories working with significant chemical vapors should consult safety guidelines and consider whether a chemical fume hood or ducted BSC configuration is more appropriate.

Biosafety cabinets are a key engineering control used within laboratories operating at different Biosafety Levels (BSL-1 through BSL-4). Class II biosafety cabinets are commonly used in BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories for work involving infectious agents that may generate aerosols. Selection of the appropriate cabinet depends on the risk group of the organism, laboratory procedures, and institutional biosafety guidelines.

Class II biosafety cabinets can be used in USP <797> and USP <800> pharmacy compounding environments, particularly when handling sterile preparations or hazardous drugs. Cabinets must provide HEPA-filtered airflow and maintain ISO Class 5 conditions within the work zone, while also meeting containment requirements for hazardous drug handling when applicable. Facilities should verify that the cabinet configuration and certification support the applicable pharmacy cleanroom and compounding standards.

A properly maintained biosafety cabinet can typically remain in service for 15 years or longer. Longevity depends on factors such as filter loading, laboratory environment, and maintenance practices. Routine annual certification, preventive maintenance, and timely replacement of HEPA filters help ensure consistent performance throughout the cabinet’s service life.

Operating a biosafety cabinet involves several ongoing costs, including energy consumption, annual certification, and periodic HEPA filter replacement. A typical Class II biosafety cabinet may use $50–$75 of electricity per year, require annual certification costing about $300, and need HEPA filter replacement every 10 years. Over a 15-year lifespan, total operating costs are often around $6000, depending on cabinet size and usage. Facility exhaust requirements can greatly increase operational costs, which is where a canopy connected Type A2 or exhausted type C1 can provide significant savings.

Yes. Biosafety cabinets must be certified after installation and before first use to verify that airflow velocities, HEPA filter integrity, and containment performance meet the requirements of NSF/ANSI 49 or applicable standards. Certification is typically performed by a trained field certifier using specialized airflow and aerosol testing methods, and it should be repeated at least annually or whenever the cabinet is moved or serviced.

Class II biosafety cabinets are divided into three main types: A2, B2, and C1, which differ primarily in airflow patterns, air recirculation, and exhaust configurations. All Class II BSCs use HEPA-filtered laminar airflow to provide protection for personnel, the product, and the laboratory environment while handling biological materials.

Type A2 biosafety cabinets are the most widely used BSCs in research, clinical, and pharmaceutical laboratories. They recirculate approximately 70% of the air within the cabinet and exhaust about 30% through HEPA filtration, either back into the laboratory or through a canopy exhaust connection.

Type B2 biosafety cabinets are total exhaust cabinets that do not recirculate air within the cabinet. Instead, 100% of cabinet air is exhausted outside the building through dedicated ductwork, making them suitable for applications involving biological materials used with volatile chemicals.

Type C1 biosafety cabinets are a newer design that combines features of both Type A2 and Type B2 cabinets. They operate in a recirculating mode similar to A2 cabinets, but can safely handle certain chemical vapors when connected to an external exhaust system, offering greater flexibility for laboratories that work with both biological and chemical hazards.

The appropriate fume hood face velocity should be determined by each organization's safety and facilities teams through a documented risk assessment. Face velocity is a safety decision, and the requirements depend on several site-specific factors, including the hazards involved, hood design, room airflow conditions, and operating practices.

While many laboratory fume hoods operate between 80 and 100 feet per minute (fpm), High Performance hoods can provide acceptable protection with velocities as low as 60 fpm, and certain applications may require velocities above 100 fpm. Both excessively high and excessively low face velocities can negatively impact containment performance.

• Typical fume hood face velocities are often 80-100 fpm, but there is no one-size-fits-all value.

• High-performance fume hoods may achieve effective containment at 60 fpm when properly designed and validated.

• Face velocities that are too high can create turbulence, while velocities that are too low may not provide adequate containment.

• ANSI/ASSP Z9.5 Laboratory Ventilation provides valuable guidance for conducting risk assessments and establishing appropriate face velocity criteria.

This is often asked for fume hoods installed on a variable air volume (VAV) system. For VAV fume hoods, there is no universal minimum airflow requirement when a hood is closed or idle. The appropriate minimum airflow should be determined through a risk assessment that considers factors such as room pressurization, directional airflow, ventilation strategy, potential hazards, and energy-saving objectives. While modern fume hoods can often reduce airflow to very low levels when not in use, the selected minimum is typically driven by overall laboratory requirements rather than the fume hood itself.

• Minimum airflow should be based on a laboratory-specific risk assessment.

• Idle airflow settings often support room pressurization and directional airflow goals.

• Modern VAV fume hoods may be capable of operating at very low airflow rates when closed.

• Seek guidance from industry standards (such as ANSI/ASSP Z9.5 Laboratory Ventilation) establishing appropriate minimum airflow setpoints.

The right fume hood depends on the specific hazards, chemicals, and processes involved in your application. The first step is evaluating the risks and selecting a hood with materials of construction that are compatible with the substances being used. Once compatibility and safety requirements are established, factors such as hood size, equipment requirements, available laboratory space, and the building's mechanical system can help determine the most appropriate solution.

• Select a hood with materials compatible with the chemicals and processes involved.

• Size the hood based on equipment dimensions, work practices, and available space.

• Consider how the hood will integrate with the laboratory's ventilation and mechanical systems.

• Use a risk assessment to identify hazards and define the appropriate fume hood requirements.

An explosion proof fume hood is designed for environments where ignitable levels of flammable vapors (or particulate) may be present and ignition sources must be controlled. Importantly, the hood itself does not contain explosions — rather, electrical components are either removed or rated to prevent ignition via spark potential. Proper classification of the lab space determines if EP components are required.

• All electrical components to be rated for hazardous locations.

• Required in locations with a hazardous classification (NFPA 70).

• Not designed to contain an explosion.

• Should align with local fire marshal guidance.

Industry standards recommend that fume hoods be certified annually to verify that they are operating safely and providing adequate containment. Certification requirements may vary by organization, but laboratories should follow the policies established by their facility's safety team and applicable regulatory requirements. Fume hoods should not be used if they are out of certification or if their performance has not been verified.

• Annual certification is the recommended industry practice.

• Comprehensive performance verification may include face velocity testing, smoke visualization, and ASHRAE 110 containment testing.

• Certification requirements should be established by the facility's safety and environmental health teams.

• Do not use a fume hood that is overdue for certification or has failed performance testing.

In general, fume hoods are safest when they remain operating continuously, as constant exhaust helps maintain negative pressure and provides protection if hazardous materials, residual contamination, or unexpected releases remain in the hood. However, some facilities choose to turn fume hoods off for operational or energy-saving reasons. When this occurs, the hood should be properly decontaminated, safeguards should be in place to prevent backdrafting, and the impact on overall laboratory ventilation must be carefully evaluated.

• Leaving a fume hood on continuously is generally the preferred safety practice.

• Hoods that are turned off should be decontaminated before shutdown.

• Backdraft prevention measures should be implemented when exhaust is not operating.

• Consider the effect on room pressurization and directional airflow before shutting down a hood.

Ductless fume hoods provide containment in a manner similar to traditional ducted fume hoods by drawing air through the hood opening and away from the user. The key difference is that, instead of exhausting air outside the building, a ductless hood passes contaminated air through specialized filtration media, typically activated carbon. Hazardous vapors are adsorbed onto the filter media, and the filtered air is then recirculated back into the laboratory. Because filtration performance depends on the chemicals being used, a chemical assessment should be completed before selecting a ductless fume hood to verify compatibility and expected filter life.

• Ductless hoods filter and recirculate air rather than exhausting it outdoors.

• Activated carbon filters remove many chemical vapors through adsorption.

• A chemical assessment should be completed to verify chemical compatibility and filter service life.

• A breakthrough or saturation alarm should be present to provide users with real-time alerts when the carbon media is loaded, and filters need to be replaced.

The suitability of a ductless fume hood must be determined through a chemical assessment completed by the facility and reviewed by the hood manufacturer. This assessment evaluates the chemicals, quantities, processes, and operating conditions to determine whether the application can be safely supported by filtration technology. If approved, the manufacturer can provide guidance on filters and estimated life expectancy. If the application is not suitable for a ductless fume hood, a ducted fume hood will generally be required.

• Complete a chemical assessment for each application before selecting a ductless fume hood.

• The manufacturer reviews the assessment and provides approval or recommendations.

• Approved applications typically include expected filter life.

• If the application cannot be safely filtered, a ducted fume hood should be used instead.

While fume hoods and biological safety cabinets (BSCs) may look similar, they are designed to protect against different hazards. A fume hood provides personnel protection from hazardous chemical vapors, gases, and fumes by exhausting contaminated air away from the user. A BSC is designed to provide both personnel protection and product protection by controlling airflow and filtering air through HEPA filters to contain biological agents and particulate contaminants.

Selecting the correct equipment is critical. Using a BSC for chemical vapor hazards or a fume hood for work requiring product sterility can compromise safety, contaminate processes, and increase the risk of exposure.

• Fume hoods protect personnel from hazardous chemical vapors, gases, and fumes.

• BSCs protect both personnel and products from biological agents and particulate contaminants.

• Fume hoods and BSCs use different airflow patterns, filtration methods, and materials of construction to support their intended applications.

• Choosing the wrong device can result in inadequate protection, product contamination, or personnel exposure.

The primary difference between constant air volume (CAV) and variable air volume (VAV) fume hoods is what remains constant as the sash position changes. A CAV fume hood maintains a constant exhaust airflow rate, which means the face velocity increases when the sash is closed and decreases when the sash is opened. A VAV fume hood adjusts the exhaust airflow rate to maintain a more consistent face velocity as the sash moves. When properly designed, VAV systems can help improve safety, maintain desired airflow conditions, and reduce energy consumption by lowering exhaust volumes when hoods are not in use.

• CAV hoods maintain a constant exhaust volume, causing face velocity to vary with sash position.

• VAV hoods vary exhaust volume to maintain a more consistent face velocity with changing sash positions.

• CAV systems are generally simpler and lower cost than VAV systems.

• VAV systems can provide energy savings and advanced ventilation control through integration with the building HVAC system.

The life expectancy of a fume hood depends heavily on the application, frequency of use, chemical exposure, and maintenance practices. A properly selected fume hood that is routinely cleaned, maintained, and used within its design limits can often remain in service for 20 years or more. However, exposure to incompatible chemicals, poor maintenance, or demanding operating conditions can significantly reduce its useful life.

While every installation is different, many facilities can reasonably expect a well-maintained fume hood to provide 15 to 20 years of service before replacement is required.

• Properly selected and maintained fume hoods can often last 20+ years.

• Typical service life for most laboratory environments is 15-20 years.

• Chemical compatibility, usage, and operating conditions greatly influence longevity.

• Regular cleaning, inspection, and maintenance can help maximize fume hood life expectancy.

A manifold style freeze drying accessory uses flasks or ampules attached to ports, allowing multiple different samples to be processed simultaneously and removed independently. A tray style freeze dryer features flat surfaces and sample trays within a chamber ideal for processing larger volumes of a single compound or for vials that need to be stoppered under vacuum at the end of the cycle.

The choice depends on your sample type and throughput. Key factors to consider include the ice capacity you need (ranging from 2.5 liters to 18 liters), the lowest collector temperature required for your sample's eutectic point, and whether you need to process samples in flasks or in trays. Labconco offers a range of FreeZone Freeze Dryers from benchtop units to large console systems as well as drying accessories tailored to your application.

Benchtop freeze dryers are compact units designed to sit on a laboratory bench, suitable for smaller throughput and research applications. Console freeze dryers are larger, floor standing units with higher ice capacities and support for larger accessories such as Labconco's Stoppering Tray Dryer and Bulk Tray Dryer.

The condenser temperature is the temperature of the cold coil inside each FreeZone Freeze Dryer. It allows for the process of freeze drying to take place and must be significantly colder (10-15°C) than the sample's eutectic point or collapse temperature to effectively trap water vapor. Labconco Freeze Dryers offer various condenser temperatures, such as -50°C for aqueous samples, -84°C for samples containing solvents or with lower eutectic points, and -105°C for samples with very low eutectic points or dilute methanol or ethanol.

Yes, some Labconco Freeze Dryer configurations are designed for solvent and acid use, but you must take precautions to ensure your system is compatible with your application. Some solvents and acids can damage stainless steel chambers, seals, hoses, and vacuum pumps. Labconco offers resistant coating options for freeze dry chambers and collector coils, as well as chemically resistant vacuum pump options.

Proper freezing is essential. Samples must be completely frozen solid before being placed under vacuum. If the vacuum is insufficient or the sample's temperature rises above its eutectic point, melting can occur and affect the final sample structure. Ensure your freeze dryer is reaching its specified vacuum level and that your samples are frozen to a temperature below their critical temperature before beginning a sample run.

A Stoppering Tray Dryer is a freeze drying accessory with a hydraulically powered stoppering mechanism used for drying and sealing vials under optimal conditions. After the primary and secondary drying stages are complete, the shelves are pressed together to seat the stoppers into the vials while they are still under vacuum, ensuring product integrity and a longer shelf life.

You should defrost the condenser after every run or once the ice building on the coil has reached its maximum capacity. Allowing ice to build beyond the condenser's capacity will reduce efficiency and eventually block the vapor path.

Regular maintenance includes checking and changing the vacuum pump oil if present, inspecting vacuum hoses and seals for cracks, cleaning and defrosting the condenser chamber, and ensuring the drain valve is clear.

A wide range of accessories including replacement flasks, vacuum hoses, temperature probes, trays, and manifolds, can be found on the Labconco website or by contacting your Labconco Sales Representative. Your instrument's manual will also list compatible accessories for your specific model.

Labconco’s CentriVap Vacuum Concentrators use centrifugal force to hold the sample at the bottom of the tubes, preventing bubbling and splashing. Simultaneously, a vacuum is applied to lower the solvent's boiling point, and heat is often applied to accelerate evaporation. The solvent vapor is then captured in a cold trap or glass trap to protect the vacuum pump and aid in analysis or disposal.

A standard centrifuge is used to separate components based on density by spinning at high speeds. A CentriVap is designed for concentration and drying. It spins at a lower, controlled speed to prevent bumping while applying vacuum and heat, leaving behind a concentrate, film, or dry pellet.

A Cold Trap is placed between the CentriVap and the vacuum pump. Its purpose is to condense and collect the solvent vapors being removed from your samples. This protects your vacuum pump from corrosive chemical damage and prevents water vapor from contaminating the pump oil if present. Labconco Cold Traps offer various condenser temperatures, such as -50°C for aqueous samples, -84°C for samples containing solvents or with lower eutectic points, and -105°C for samples with very low eutectic points or dilute methanol or ethanol. Similarly, DNA CentriVaps feature two ambient temperature glass traps which perform the same function for a smaller range of solvents.

Labconco offers a wide variety of rotors to accommodate different tube sizes and types. These include rotors for microcentrifuge tubes, common test tubes, conical tubes, vials, microplates, and even pear-shaped flasks. All CentriVap Pro and Standard CentriVap rotors are also available in chemically resistant configurations.

Yes, some Labconco CentriVap Pro configurations are designed for solvent and acid use, but you must take precautions to ensure your system is compatible with your application. Some solvents and acids can damage chambers, rotors, shafts, bearings, seals, hoses, lids, and vacuum pumps. Labconco offers resistant coatings for CentriVap components, as well as chemically resistant vacuum pump and accessory options.

Many applications, such as work with RNA and proteins, require sample temperature to remain below a specific temperature threshold. Since the spinning rotor found in Labconco’s CentriVap Pro Vacuum Concentrator can heat samples to 30-35°C even without added heat from the system, we recommend the Refrigerated CentriVap Pro. This instrument can cool the sample chamber to -10°C, ensuring your samples remain stable throughout your workflow.

Regular cleaning includes wiping down the inside of the chamber and the rotor with a mild detergent or 70% ethanol, and inspecting seals and hoses for cracks and wear. The cold trap should be defrosted and cleaned regularly to ensure optimal vapor capture can take place. Always refer to your user manuals for specific maintenance schedules for the instrument and vacuum pump.

Yes. Labconco offers dedicated rotors and accessories for concentrating samples directly in standard microplates, deep well plates, and PCR plates. This allows for high throughput concentration of samples directly in the plate they were processed in.

The choice of pump depends on what you are trying to achieve with your CentriVap. Labconco offers a range of pumps specifically designed to pair with concentrators, but most applications can use a Diaphragm Vacuum Pump. This style of pump offers a moderate ultimate vacuum pressure and better chemical resistance than our oil-based pumps. If you are planning to use your CentriVap Pro for both sample concentration and small scale freeze drying, we recommend a Rotary Vane Vacuum Pump since the CentriVap Pro offers vacuum pressure control.

Yes, you can wash many types of reusable plastic labware, such as polycarbonate or polypropylene sample containers, bottles, and cages. However, you must ensure that the plastic is compatible with the wash temperatures and detergents being used. It is also recommended to place lightweight plastics on the top rack, or use specialized baskets to keep them from moving during the cycle.

FlaskScrubber models include a Lower Spindle Rack for injection washing and drying in narrow neck glassware, ensuring all items are properly cleaned and dried for storage or use in your next experiment. SteamScrubber models include Upper and Lower Standard Racks and rely on rotating wash bars to disperse water and detergent, along with forced air drying within the chamber. SteamScrubber models can support additional Spindle Racks for injection washing, but they do not support spindle drying like the FlaskScrubber models.

Both models support injection washing and drying through spindle racks, but the FlaskScrubber Vantage incorporates advanced features perfect for contamination-sensitive research or manufacturing. CleanPoint™ Technology measures conductivity and bypasses unnecessary pure water rinses, while HEPA-filtered drying ensures particulate-free forced air drying for your glassware. FlaskScrubber Vantage models also feature an integrated side cabinet and automatic detergent and rinse aid dispensing for your wash cycles.

For general washing, regular tap water is used for pre-wash, wash, and rinse cycles. However, for the final rinse, Labconco Glassware Washers also support pure water connection perfect for preventing spots, films, contaminants, and mineral deposits on your glassware.

You must use a low-foaming or non-foaming laboratory grade detergent specifically designed for automatic laboratory glassware washers. Standard dishwashing detergents for home use produce too many suds, which can interfere with the wash action and damage the machine. Labconco recommends using detergents from trusted laboratory suppliers, and offers an in-house range of LabSolutions powder detergent, liquid detergent, and rinse aid.

Labconco offers a comprehensive selection of racks and inserts to accommodate virtually any type of labware. Options include baskets, pin racks for beakers and flasks, test tube racks, pipette inserts, and specialty racks for items like vials and graduated cylinders. This modular system allows you to customize the washer for your specific needs.

Cycle times vary depending on the selected program and options. A basic wash cycle can take anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes, but more advanced cleaning needs will lead to longer cycle times. Adding extra rinse cycles or extended drying times will increase the total cycle length. Labconco washers offer programmable cycles to allow you to optimize time and performance.

A HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtered drying system, available on FlaskScrubber Vantage models, ensures that the air being drawn into the chamber during the drying cycle is free of particulate contaminants. This prevents recontamination of your clean glassware from airborne dust and particulates, which is critical for sensitive analytical work.

Spots are typically caused by mineral deposits from tap water or buildup. Ensure you are using a Neutralizing Acid Rinse and pure water for the final rinse. A hazy film can also be a sign of using the wrong detergent, detergent buildup, or hard water scale. Try using less detergent, a different detergent, or running a cleaning cycle with acetic acid to remove the buildup.

Labconco maintains a comprehensive inventory of replacement parts and racks for many of its legacy glassware washer models. You can find these parts by searching on the Labconco website or by contacting your Labconco Sales Representative directly with your washer's model and serial number.

Resistivity of the water determines the water type and is often monitored in water purification systems.

Resistivity Levels by Laboratory Water Type

Other parameters that are important and are sometimes monitored are: TOC (Total Organic Carbon) for analytical work and bacteria/endotoxin levels for life science applications.

Replacement intervals depend on usage and feedwater quality.

Most systems require cartridge replacement every 3-12 months.

It will depend on the system as some systems are designed for tap water feed.

However, poor feedwater quality may require pretreatment to determine the quality of your feedwater and recommend the best water system for your application: https://www.labconco.com/water-profile-test-kit.

Water quality level requirement for the final rinse in a glassware washer varies depending on the application the glassware will be used for. Type II water is commonly used in the final rinse cycle when glassware is used in workflows that involve analytical analysis. Type III water is used in the final rinse cycle for general laboratory applications that are less sensitive. Type I water is NEVER recommended to be used in a glassware washer, as it is so pure it can be corrosive to the washer.