Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs) are one of the primary engineering controls used by laboratories to provide personal, product and environmental protection from potential pathogens. To ensure that BSCs are providing these three types of protection, BSCs are certified by accredited professionals. These certifications are required at least annually and whenever a BSC is repaired or relocated. Relocation and repairs could break the HEPA filter seals or damage the filters themselves resulting in a BSC that does not provide personal, product or environmental protection when in use. In addition, prior to repair or replacement of components located in contaminated plenums, prior to relocation and in some cases prior to recertification, BSCs must be gas decontaminated by a qualified contractor. Failure to follow these guidelines could result in a possible breach of containment and exposure to potentially harmful pathogens.
The Ohio State University Institutional Biosafety Manual, Section VI.3.2
CDC 6th Edition BMBL, Appendix A, Part 7
NSF/ANSI 49-2018 Annex F and G