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Biological Safety Cabinets

Biological Safety Cabinets

What Is a Biological Safety Cabinet?

A biological safety cabinet (BSC), also called a biosafety cabinet, is a ventilated, enclosed laboratory workstation designed to protect the user, the sample, and the surrounding environment from exposure to biological hazards. BSCs use a combination of HEPA filtration and precisely controlled directional airflow to create a sterile work zone, making them standard equipment in microbiology, cell culture, pharmaceutical, clinical, and animal research laboratories.

Unlike a fume hood, which is designed to remove chemical vapors from the work area, a biological safety cabinet provides bidirectional protection: it filters air coming into the work zone to prevent sample contamination and filters exhaust air to prevent hazardous aerosols from escaping into the lab.

LabRepCo is an authorized distributor of biological safety cabinets from NuAire, Labconco, Flow Sciences, and Germfree. All models we carry meet NSF/ANSI 49 and EN 12469 certification standards.

BSC Classes at a Glance

Biological safety cabinets are classified by the level of protection they provide. Use the table below to identify which class is right for your application, then click through to browse products.

Class Personnel Protection Product Protection Typical Applications
Class I Yes No Work with low-to-moderate risk agents; personnel and environment protection without product sterility
Class II Yes Yes Cell culture, microbiology, BSL 1–3 work, pharmaceutical compounding, viral research
Class III (Glovebox) Maximum Maximum BSL-4 work, high-risk pathogens, agents with no available vaccine or therapy

Shop Biological Safety Cabinets by Class

LabRepCo carries a wide range of biosafety cabinets to cover every containment requirement. Browse by class below or contact our team for help selecting the right model.

Category Description Browse
Class I Biological Safety Cabinets Open-front cabinets providing personnel and environmental protection. Best for low-risk applications and procedures not requiring product sterility. → View Class I BSCs
Class II Biological Safety Cabinets The most widely used BSC type. HEPA-filtered downflow protects product and personnel simultaneously. Available in Types A2, B1, B2, and C1. → View Class II BSCs
Class III Biosafety Cabinets & Gloveboxes Gas-tight, totally enclosed cabinets providing maximum containment for BSL-4 agents and the most hazardous biological materials. → View Class III BSCs
Custom Biological Safety Cabinets Need a non-standard configuration? LabRepCo works with NuAire and other manufacturers to spec and build custom biosafety solutions for unique workflows. → Request a Custom BSC Quote

Biosafety Cabinet Certification & Standards

All biological safety cabinets sold by LabRepCo are tested and certified to the following standards:

  • NSF/ANSI 49: the North American standard for Class II BSC performance, construction, and field certification
  • EN 12469: the European standard for microbiological safety cabinet performance criteria
  • Annual field certification is required for all BSC classes to verify airflow velocities, HEPA filter integrity, and containment performance

LabRepCo’s team can advise on certification intervals, NSF-accredited field certifiers, and decontamination procedures.

Why Buy a Biological Safety Cabinet from LabRepCo?

  • 40+ years of laboratory containment expertise: We help you spec the right cabinet for your BSL level, workflow, and facility exhaust system
  • Top-tier brands including NuAire LabGard, Labconco Purifier, Flow Sciences, and Germfree
  • Class II Type A2, B1, B2, and C1 configurations in stock
  • Custom and modified BSC solutions available through our project team
  • GSA contract and E&I cooperative purchasing available for academic and government customers
  • Nationwide coverage with regional field sales representatives available for on-site consultation

Frequently Asked Questions About Biosafety Cabinets

What is the difference between a biosafety cabinet and a fume hood?

A fume hood removes chemical fumes from the work zone but does not protect samples from contamination and does not filter exhaust air to protect the environment. A biological safety cabinet uses HEPA filtration to protect the user, the product, and the environment simultaneously, but is not designed for volatile chemicals unless a Type B2 (100% exhaust) model is used. Never use a laminar flow hood as a substitute for a biosafety cabinet when working with biological agents.

Which class of biological safety cabinet do I need?

The class depends on your application. Class II Type A2 is the most common choice for general microbiology and cell culture. If your work involves volatile toxic chemicals in addition to biological agents, Class II Type B2 (total exhaust) is required. Class III gloveboxes are reserved for BSL-4 pathogens. Class I cabinets are appropriate when only personnel and environmental protection is needed and product sterility is not a concern. Contact LabRepCo for a free consultation — our specialists will help you select the right model.

How often does a biological safety cabinet need to be certified?

NSF/ANSI 49 recommends annual field certification by an NSF-accredited certifier. Certification is also required after any relocation of the cabinet, filter change, major repair, or decontamination procedure. LabRepCo can connect you with accredited certifiers in your region.

What brands of biosafety cabinets does LabRepCo carry?

LabRepCo carries biological safety cabinets from NuAire (LabGard series), Labconco (Purifier series), Flow Sciences, and Germfree. We are an authorized distributor for all brands we sell, ensuring full manufacturer warranty coverage and access to parts and service support.

Can LabRepCo build a custom-configured biological safety cabinet?

Yes. LabRepCo’s project team works directly with manufacturers to design and build custom BSC configurations, including non-standard widths, pass-through chambers, integrated robotic access ports, and modified containment configurations for specialized workflows. Contact us to start a custom BSC request.

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