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From laminar flow clean bench to Class III glovebox: Poly Temp Scientific supplies, installs and maintains flow cabinets for laboratories throughout the Netherlands. Product protection, operator protection or full containment. We advise on the solution that fits your application and biosafety level.
In everyday laboratory practice, the term "flow cabinet" is used for several fundamentally different types of equipment. This frequently causes confusion when purchasing. A laminar flow cabinet or LAF cabinet is an umbrella term for cabinets that generate a purified airflow through a HEPA or ULPA filter. But what that airflow does, and who or what it protects, varies considerably depending on the type.
A clean bench, or laminar flow cabinet in the strict sense, blows filtered air across the work surface towards the operator. Only the product is protected; the operator and the laboratory environment are not. This makes a clean bench suitable exclusively for non-infectious material: sterile culture media, plant tissue, seed testing or electronic components.
A biological safety cabinet (BSC), also referred to as a microbiological safety cabinet, safety workbench or Class II LAF cabinet, is a fundamentally different piece of equipment. Through a combination of downward HEPA-filtered airflow (downflow) and an inward airflow through the front opening, the cabinet simultaneously protects the operator, the product and the environment. This is the standard for working with micro-organisms, cell cultures, blood and tissue samples, and biological agents.
Important: A flow cabinet is not a fume hood. A fume hood is designed to extract chemical vapours and gases. A biological safety cabinet and a laminar flow cabinet use filtered airflows for biological safety. These two types of cabinet are not interchangeable and must never be used for each other's applications.
The choice between a clean bench, Class I, Class II (Type A2 or B2), cytotoxic safety cabinet or Class III glovebox depends on your sample type, the biosafety level (BSL-1 to BSL-4) and the applicable standards and containment requirements in your sector. Poly Temp Scientific will advise you.
From laminar flow clean bench to fully gas-tight glovebox: each cabinet type offers a different level of protection and is designed for specific applications and risk categories.
Sterile work environment via vertical or horizontal HEPA-filtered airflow. Protects only the product. No operator or environmental protection. Suitable exclusively for non-infectious material.
Inward airflow protects the operator and the environment via HEPA exhaust. No product protection. Suitable for BSL-1 to BSL-3 applications where sterile working is not required.
The most widely used cabinet in laboratories. Simultaneously protects the operator, the product and the environment through HEPA downflow and inward airflow. Type A2 is the standard; Type B2 (100% exhaust) for work involving chemicals and organic solvents.
Three-filter safety cabinet specifically designed for the preparation and handling of cytostatics, cytotoxic drugs and CMR substances. Certified to EN 12469 and DIN 12980. Mandatory in hospital pharmacies and pharmaceutical production environments.
Fully gas-tight, enclosed cabinet for work under maximum containment conditions. Integrated rubber gloves provide complete isolation. Required for work with high-risk pathogens at biosafety level 3 and 4.
The principle of a biological safety cabinet is based on two interacting, separate airflow movements combined with HEPA or ULPA filtration. In a Class II BSC, the most widely used type, a powerful fan creates a downward (downflow) filtered airstream across the work surface, forming a sterile zone that protects the product.
Simultaneously, ambient air is drawn in through the front opening as an inward airflow. This air curtain prevents aerosols or particles from escaping the cabinet into the laboratory. This also protects the operator. All air, both the recirculated and the exhausted portions, passes through an H14 HEPA filter that retains at least 99.995% of all particles. With a ULPA filter, this figure exceeds 99.9995%.
After installation, validation in accordance with EN 12469 is mandatory. This involves testing and documenting airflow velocities, particle retention, alarm functions and containment integrity. Annual periodic recertification is a legal requirement in environments working with biological agents category 2 and above.
H14 HEPA filters retain at least 99.995% of all particles and are suitable for virtually all microbiological applications. ULPA filters offer higher efficiency (over 99.9995%) but have greater air resistance, leading to slightly higher energy consumption and noise levels. Choose ULPA only when your specific application demands it, for example when working with the smallest viral particles or nanoparticles.
Type A2 recirculates 70% of the filtered air within the cabinet and exhausts 30% to the outside through a HEPA filter. This is the standard for most microbiological applications and does not require connection to central extract ventilation. Type B2 has 100% exhaust to the outside and is required when working with volatile chemicals, organic solvents or radionuclides, as these substances can accumulate to dangerous concentrations in a recirculating cabinet.
Flow cabinets are available in working widths from 90 cm to 180+ cm. For prolonged use, pay attention to leg clearance, the angle of the front sash, height adjustability of the work surface and noise levels (aim for below 56 dBA). The Nordic Labtech n-SAFE range is specifically designed for ergonomic comfort during extended periods of laboratory work.
The preparation of cytostatics and CMR substances requires a certified three-filter cytotoxic safety cabinet, in accordance with the supplementary standard DIN 12980. A standard Class II A2 cabinet does not provide sufficient protection for cytotoxic substances. The Nordic Labtech n-SAFE Cyto and n-SAFE Premium Cyto cabinets are specifically certified for these applications.
An overview of the five cabinet types across the most critical selection criteria, to help you identify the right direction quickly.
| Criterion | Clean Bench | Class I | Class II A2 | Class II Cyto | Class III |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product protection | |||||
| Operator protection | MAX | ||||
| Environmental protection | MAX | ||||
| Suitable for cytostatics and CMR | |||||
| Maximum biosafety level | BSL-1 | BSL-1/2/3 | BSL-1/2/3 | BSL-1/2/3 + cyto | BSL-3/4 |
| Connection to extract ventilation required | No | Yes | No (A2) / Yes (B2) | Yes (30% exhaust) | Yes |
| Applicable standard | ISO 14644 | EN 12469 | EN 12469 | EN 12469 + DIN 12980 | EN 12469 |
| Typical application | Sterile inoculation, plant lab | Waste handling, open systems | Microbiology, cell culture, diagnostics | Hospital pharmacy, oncology | BSL-4 pathogens, containment research |
Not sure which cabinet suits your specific application and risk category? Our specialists will advise you based on your sample type, workflow and applicable containment requirements.
Request personal advicePoly Temp Scientific serves a wide range of sectors with specific requirements for biological safety and sterile working. Find your situation below.
Hospital laboratories work daily with blood and tissue samples, cell cultures, viruses and bacteria. Hospital pharmacies prepare cytostatics and handle cytotoxic drugs. The safety of staff and patients is paramount.
GMP-compliant sterile preparation, virus testing and cell culture for product development require fully validated biological safety cabinets. IQ/OQ documentation and complete audit trails are standard practice in the pharmaceutical sector.
Scientific research requires a broad range of cabinet types: from a simple clean bench in the plant laboratory to a Class III glovebox for high-risk virology. Containment level requirements for GMO work often determine the minimum cabinet class.
Seed and crop research, plant pathology and the inoculation of culture media require sterile working conditions. Depending on the risk category of the plant pathogen, either a clean bench or a Class II BSC will be the right choice.
Microbiological food safety analyses (Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli) are carried out in biological safety cabinets that meet the requirements for working with pathogenic micro-organisms. Reliable results demand sterile and safe working conditions.
Quality control laboratories of life science distributors handle and inspect biological samples upon receipt and dispatch. Safe working practices and full traceability are critical throughout the supply chain of medicines and biological products.
Before selecting a biological safety cabinet, answer these six questions. Together they determine which cabinet type and configuration best suits your laboratory situation.
The most fundamental question: do you need to protect only the product (clean bench), only yourself and the environment (Class I), yourself, the product and the environment simultaneously (Class II), or is maximum containment required (Class III)? This directly determines which cabinet type is appropriate.
The BSL classification (1 to 4) or containment level of the organisms and substances you work with determines the minimum required cabinet class. Review your risk assessment, GMO containment guidelines and your permit conditions for working with biological agents of category 2 and above.
If so, a standard Class II cabinet is insufficient. You need a certified three-filter cytotoxic safety cabinet in accordance with DIN 12980, or a Type B2 model with 100% exhaust. Never confuse a flow cabinet with a fume hood: they are fundamentally different and not interchangeable.
Flow cabinets are available in working widths from 90 cm to 180+ cm. Wider models offer more workspace for complex workflows but require more floor space. For prolonged use, also consider ergonomics: leg clearance, sash angle and height adjustability of the work surface.
Class II Type A2 cabinets are stand-alone units and do not require connection to central extract ventilation. Type B2 and Class I cabinets do require this connection. Always discuss ventilation requirements in advance with your facilities management to avoid surprises during installation.
After installation, every biological safety cabinet must be validated in accordance with EN 12469, including a retention test (KI-Discus), particle count and airflow velocity measurement. Annual periodic recertification is a legal requirement. Poly Temp arranges the complete validation process and documentation for you.
Laboratories working with biological agents are subject to strict national and European standards and legislation. Choosing the right cabinet is only half the story: validation, periodic certification and correct documentation are equally essential for safety, compliance and audits. Poly Temp guides you through the entire standards and validation process.
The central European standard for all Class I, II and III biological safety cabinets. Sets out performance criteria, test methods at commissioning (installation test) and periodic certification (routine test). Certification is carried out by recognised bodies such as TÜV Nord or the French LNE. Note: cabinets that are "built in accordance with EN 12469" without actual certification offer no guarantee of adequate protection.
DIN 12980 (Safety Cabinets for Handling Cytostatic Substances) is the supplementary standard for three-filter cytotoxic safety cabinets. Required in addition to EN 12469 for any environment where cytostatics, CMR substances or cytotoxic drugs are prepared or handled. Hospital pharmacies and pharmaceutical production facilities are obliged to comply with this standard.
ISO 14644-1 defines the international classification of air cleanliness (ISO Class 1 to 9). A certified Class II BSC achieves ISO Class 5 in the work zone. Cytotoxic cabinets fitted with ULPA filters achieve ISO Class 3. Relevant for GMP environments and sterile preparation areas.
The EU Biological Agents Directive requires employers to carry out a risk assessment and implement adequate containment measures when working with biological agents of category 2 and above. The use of a certified and validated biological safety cabinet is a direct obligation arising from this directive, transposed into national legislation in all EU member states.
Poly Temp Scientific arranges the complete validation, certification and documentation of your flow cabinets in accordance with applicable standards, both at installation and at periodic recertification.
Laboratories working with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are subject to specific containment level requirements. These directly determine which type of flow cabinet is mandatory.
The four containment levels (ML-I to ML-IV) used in the Netherlands (and equivalent BSL levels internationally) each impose specific requirements on laboratory design and the mandatory type of safety cabinet. In addition to GMO containment rules, BSL levels (Biosafety Level 1 to 4) from WHO guidelines apply to work with pathogenic micro-organisms.
Work with GMOs of the lowest risk category, equivalent to BSL-1. No biological safety cabinet required. A laminar flow clean bench is sufficient for applications where only product protection is needed.
Equivalent to BSL-2. Work with GMOs where limited spread is possible. A certified Class II A2 biological safety cabinet is mandatory for all open procedures with GMOs in this category. This is the most common containment level in university and hospital laboratories.
Equivalent to BSL-3. Work with GMOs presenting a potentially serious risk to humans or the environment. Requires a specially designed laboratory with negative pressure, double doors and a Class II B2 or Class III biological safety cabinet. A permit from the relevant competent authority is required.
Equivalent to BSL-4. Permitted only in specially certified BSL-4 facilities. All procedures exclusively in a Class III glovebox or in full positive-pressure suits. Extremely rare; only a handful of facilities in Europe operate at this level.
Quick reference: which biosafety level requires which minimum cabinet type?
Poly Temp Scientific offers a complete service package for flow cabinets and biological safety cabinets. Our certified service engineers support you from initial advice and installation through EN 12469 validation, periodic maintenance and filter replacement. This ensures not only the safety of your laboratory, but also the continuity of your work.
Independent advice on cabinet type, class, brand and configuration based on your BSL level, sector and containment requirements
Professional placement and commissioning by our engineers, including connection to extract ventilation where required
Retention test (KI-Discus), particle count, airflow velocity measurement, alarm test and a complete validation report in accordance with EN 12469
Safe replacement of saturated filters, preceded by decontamination (VHP or formaldehyde) in accordance with safety protocols
Annual service visits with recertification, ensuring your cabinet always meets current standards and your laboratory remains audit-ready
In the event of a malfunction, we respond promptly to safeguard the safety and continuity of your laboratory operations
Poly Temp Scientific is an authorised dealer of two specialist manufacturers of flow cabinets and biological safety cabinets, both leaders in their class.
Thermo Scientific (HeraSafe, Maxisafe, Heraguard ECO) is a globally recognised name in high-quality safety cabinets for pharmaceutical and medical applications, with a strong focus on reliability, validation capabilities and low total cost of ownership. Nordic Labtech (n-SAFE range) stands out through innovative Scandinavian design, outstanding ergonomics and a comprehensive range from Class I to Class III, including specialist cytotoxic safety cabinets for oncological preparations.
Answers to the most common questions about the selection, use, standards and maintenance of flow cabinets in laboratory environments.
A laminar flow cabinet (clean bench) blows filtered air across the work surface towards the operator and protects only the product. A biological safety cabinet (BSC) combines downward filtered airflow with an inward airflow and simultaneously protects the operator, the product and the environment. A BSC is the only appropriate choice when working with potentially infectious material.
A clean bench is suitable only for non-infectious material: sterile culture media, plant material, non-infectious cell cultures or electronic components. As soon as you work with potentially pathogenic micro-organisms, viruses, cell lines of human or animal origin, or blood and tissue samples, a certified Class II BSC is legally required.
Type A2 recirculates 70% of the filtered air internally and exhausts 30% to the outside via a HEPA filter. This is the standard for most microbiological applications and does not require connection to central extract ventilation. Type B2 has 100% exhaust to the outside, which is mandatory when working with volatile chemicals, organic solvents or radionuclides, as these substances accumulate to dangerous concentrations in a recirculating cabinet.
A certified cytotoxic safety cabinet in accordance with DIN 12980 is required for the preparation, handling or manipulation of cytostatics, CMR substances and cytotoxic drugs. A standard Class II A2 cabinet does not provide sufficient protection for these applications. In hospital pharmacies and pharmaceutical production facilities, this is a legal obligation.
After installation, an initial validation test in accordance with EN 12469 is required. Thereafter, annual periodic recertification (routine maintenance testing) is the standard for environments working with biological agents of category 2 and above. Recertification is also required whenever the cabinet is relocated, after filter replacement, or following any maintenance to the air handling system.
An H14 HEPA filter retains at least 99.995% of all particles and is suitable for virtually all microbiological applications including virology. A ULPA filter offers higher efficiency (over 99.9995%) but has greater air resistance, resulting in higher energy consumption and slightly more noise. Choose ULPA only when your specific protocol or the smallest viral particles require it.
No, these are fundamentally different pieces of equipment with completely different principles and applications. A fume hood extracts chemical vapours and gases through mechanical ventilation and is designed for work with hazardous chemical substances. A flow cabinet uses filtered laminar airflows for biological safety. The two must never be used interchangeably.
The Nordic Labtech n-SAFE range covers cabinets for every biosafety level: n-SAFE (Class I), n-SAFE Premium (Class II), n-SAFE Pro (microbiological Class II), n-SAFE Cyto and n-SAFE Premium Cyto (three-filter cytotoxic safety cabinets), n-SAFE B2 (Class II B2 with 100% exhaust), n-SAFE Sterile, n-Safe XL (extra-large workspace), n-Safe Horizontal (open laminar flow cabinet) and n-SAFE Class III glovebox.
An EN 12469 validation includes as a minimum: a retention test (KI-Discus test in accordance with ISO 14698-1) to confirm biological containment, particle counts in accordance with ISO 14644-3, airflow velocity measurements at the front opening and in the work zone, alarm tests (visual and audible), and a containment integrity test of the HEPA filter and cabinet housing. You receive a complete report including measurement results, calibration certificates and conclusions.
Yes. Poly Temp Scientific advises you on the cabinet type that is appropriate for your specific containment level (ML-I to ML-IV) and your GMO permit conditions. We also provide the required validation documentation for inspections and audits. Contact us to arrange a tailored consultation.
From clean bench to Class III glovebox: our specialists advise you on the cabinet type that matches your biosafety level, sector and containment requirements. We handle installation, validation and maintenance.
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