Biological Safety Cabinet (CSB), commonly known as biosafety
cabins (cabinet), are part of a group of teams aimed at improving the general
conditions under which a wide variety of activities are carried out in clinical
and research laboratories in the area of public health. These activities range
from routine processes for the identification of microorganisms to specialized
research activities. Likewise, they are also known by various names such as
"biosafety cabinets", "laminar flow hoods" and
"purifiers", among others, the term "laminar flow" is also
commonly used to identify them. The equipment is what guarantees the existence
of controlled environments, essential for activities that, due to their
characteristics, are potentially dangerous for the health of man and the
environment. On the other hand, some of the cabins protect the state of the
products or crops under investigation.
What Is And How Does A Biological Safety Cabinet Work?
Biological Safety Cabinet is equipment designed to maintain
an area, free of particles or probable contaminants that can alter the product
or process with which it works, affect the health of the operating worker, or
damage the environment.
The conditioning of the clean area is achieved by combining
electromechanical elements (motor, fan, filter, ducts, lighting, etc.), and
physical processes (laminar flow, pressure differential).
In this way, the fans propel the air through special filters
of great surface, strategically located, that have a minimum efficiency of
retention of particles of 99.99%, when the size of the same is on average of
0.3 μm (micrometers). Such filters are known internationally as HEPA filters
and are suitable for retaining aerosols that are generated when experimental
procedures are performed with biological agents such as agitation,
centrifugation or mixing.
While there are different types of Biological Safety Cabinet (CBS)
defined based on different types of biosecurity levels, all CBS are designed to
provide protection to the operator and the environment.
Under this premise is that we consider it necessary, beyond
the normative, to be able to guarantee the correct functioning of these
equipment.
When a device with these characteristics is acquired, it is
usually done thinking about the type of process. However, if we do not have
certain considerations about the physical space it will occupy, the
environmental conditions of the immediate environment, and the characteristics
that apply to its proper functioning, we may not be operating the equipment
safely.
Generally the Biological
Safety Cabinet is constructed of steel, have a front window in glass, of
variable height that has a ventilation system consisting of an electric motor,
a fan and a set of ducts that, when being operated, generate a condition of
negative pressure inside the cabin compared to the ambient pressure in the
laboratory, a condition that causes air to flow inside the cabin through the
front opening, generating an air curtain that protects the operator.
Internally, the air is conducted through a series of grilles and ducts, to
finally be treated by HEPA filters. If you want to know more about Biological Safety Cabinet, visit at yatherm.com
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