Germfree BBF 2 - Filters and Maintenance; Filters; Certification and Repair

Class II, Type A2 Biosafety Cabinet
User Manual
8
Filters
All biosafety cabinets are provided with both a supply HEPA filter over the work area and an exhaust HEPA filter
in the top of the unit. All filters were subjected to a particle challenge leak test at the time of manufacturing and
again immediately before shipment and are certified to be 99.99% effective on a .3 Micron particle, the hardest
to capture. Loading time for the filters will depend primarily on the number of particles in the ambient air and
ordinarily, to a lesser extent, on particles generated within the chamber. Under most conditions the life of the
filters will be three to five years; rarely do they become obstructed in three years or less. The biosafety cabinet
may be le on continuously or turned off and on as needed with a ten-minute start up and cool down period
prior to and aer use.
An independent certification agency or a qualified technician specializing in the repair and testing of this type
of equipment must perform all maintenance to the Class II, Type A2 Biosafety Cabinet, especially the filters. The
Germfree service department can assist with or perform most repairs.
Certification and Repair
All models of Class II, Type A2 Biosafety Cabinets have a large supply and a smaller, exhaust HEPA filter. These
are sized to provide the entire work area with ultra clean air and to filter particulate maer. Approximately 30%
of the circulated air is exhausted during each cycle. HEPA filters are placed and sealed within the cabinet to
prevent any bypass of air. Filters are certified to be 99.99 % effective against 0. 3 micron sized particles and free
of any leaks discernible by this method. In the majority of instances, filters received from the manufacturer are
free of leaks. Those that are not are repaired and retested. Testing also includes making sure that the junctions
of the filter medium and framework must be completely free of leaks. This testing also includes checking the
seal around the filter itself. Should damage occur to the filters or if aer replacement, defects are found in new
filters, these defects can be repaired. This requires sealing with RTV (Room Temperature Vulcanizing) silicone.
Commercial organizations with proper equipment and personnel are available in most areas of the world
for testing and servicing. If, you need us to refer you to one of these agencies please contact Germfree (cs@
germfree.com).