Performance Testing of Biosafety Enclosures for Lab Automation

The use of robotics and automated equipment to perform repetitive tasks in the microbiology lab is becoming more prevalent with advances in technology. While this equipment has increased productivity and quality control while reducing worker stress, it has not eliminated the need for engineering controls to assure product sterility and to protect the lab worker from potentially hazardous bioaerosols.

The size of the automated equipment along with support and interface needs usually prevent the use of standard Class II Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs) as the engineering control. The development of large biosafety enclosures for this equipment has identified the need for unique design solutions and test procedures.