Biosafety cabinets, often known as bio-hazardous, biological or microbiological safety cabinets, or simply referred to as BSCs, are not indestructible.
BSCs offer confined, secure areas for handling contaminants. This crucial component of laboratories around the world can normally be utilised for 15 to 25 years before needing replacement due to wear and tear.
Over time, performance progressively declines; you might notice that the airflow is diminished, that the cabinet's power starts to drop, or in rare circumstances that they start to vibrate.
Here is a quick guide to assist you in determining when it's appropriate to update to a new BSC.
Even though it might seem obvious, it's generally best to replace your BSC if it requires frequent and intensive maintenance.
A well-maintained cabinet should perform consistently without needing what seems like continuous maintenance and repairs.
Again, this is self-evident. It is crucial to invest in a new BSC if yours fails the necessary safety inspections.
A warning / indicator that a new cabinet is required, is extreme corrosion on the outside of the lab equipment or rust on the plenums inside.
Spare parts for BSCs being produced by suppliers will become harder to get hold of, the older and more out of date they get, meaning the cabinet will soon become obsolete without them.
Replacement or refurbished parts is not something the experts at TION recommend, but if you do, you should consider updating your BSC within a year if you are having trouble getting the components you require.
When you first got your biological safety cabinet, what was its primary function? What has changed about this?
It's critical to regularly evaluate whether your BSC is still providing for the requirements of your laboratory. If your present unit doesn't, you should change it for one that does so more efficaciously.
As one of TION’s main objectives is to reduce the impact our units have on the environment, how energy efficient your lab equipment is, is one of our main priorities.
Older versions of bio-hazardous units typically use a lot more energy, whilst being much less functional. BSCs that are 10 years old or even older, for instance, could discover airflow problems more slowly than more current ones, since they can measure airflow continuously.
Did you know that the energy costs of a laboratory are significantly reduced with newer units. A company's model from 15 years ago can cost up to 70% more to operate than their most recent BSC.
We know a new cabinet can be an expensive investment, but if it lowers your operating costs significantly over time, we guarantee it will pay for itself and lessen your carbon footprint.
A new cabinet could assist to enhance working conditions if laboratory staff members frequently complain of stress, or tense muscles from using it. Newer models typically have superior ergonomics, as with companies like TION, their cabinets can be highly customisable.
Not only that, but they run more quietly than their earlier counterparts and are built with greater comfort in mind.
A few crucial considerations must be made if you determine that it is time to replace your BSC(s). Firstly, before purchasing a new cabinet, check to see if it complies entirely with the most recent safety rules. Every cabinet we construct complies with EN12469 certification standards and equipped with the technological advancements.
It's certainly never a wise move to downgrade and why would you want the exact same as you’ve had before? Instead, make sure the new BSC is superior to the one it's replacing. Additionally, you must carry out a thorough risk analysis of your workplace and make sure that a dependable service provider can securely dispose of your current units.
The knowledgeable members of our team are prepared to help you select the ideal biosafety cabinet for your needs. Feel free to get in touch with what you’re looking to do with your workspace and how we can potentially help you.
