Abstract:
This study explores the variation in performance across different models of Class II biosafety cabinets and the complexity of their metrological operations. It focuses on developing simple yet effective testing procedures for primary users of these cabinets, facilitating periodic verification during use. The research ensures that users at the basic level can confirm the equipment's performance through minimal operations during routine checks. The experimental phase involves optimizing the measurement methods for the metrological characteristics of biosafety cabinets and contrasting these optimized methods with standard testing protocols to evaluate their feasibility. Key findings include simplifications in cleanliness testing to four points, illumination intensity testing to five evenly spaced points, noise detection to two points replicating human ear noise reception, downward airflow speed to a three-point method, and inflow airflow speed to six points at a 45° angle, with the optimal smoke emission point being close to the fan. The results from the optimized methods closely match those from standard tests across various metrological characteristics of biosafety cabinets. This refined approach for testing biosafety cabinets allows frontline users to rapidly assess the current performance of these cabinets, contributing to the study of their metrological characteristics, early identification of biosafety hazards, and prevention of laboratory biological incidents.