Class I Safety Enclosures (Class I Biosafety Cabinets)
Our Class I safety enclosures are designed to protect personnel and the laboratory environment from low- to moderate-risk biohazardous or chemical agents. These units do not provide product protection, making them suitable for applications where sample sterility is not required.
Operating under negative pressure, Class I enclosures continuously draw room air into the front opening. Air flows over the work surface and is passed through a HEPA filter before being exhausted, maintaining a minimum inward face velocity of approximately 75 linear feet per minute (FPM) for effective containment.
Key Features and Functions
- Personnel & Environmental Protection: Shields operators from hazardous powders, aerosols, particulates, and vapors.
- Biosafety Compatibility: Suitable for Biosafety Levels 1, 2, and 3.
- HEPA-Filtered Exhaust: Removes airborne contaminants before air is discharged.
- Negative Pressure Design: Prevents contaminants from escaping into the laboratory.
- Open-Front Access: Includes a sash for partial containment and ergonomic workflow.
- Optional UV Lighting: Available for surface decontamination in certain configurations.
Typical Applications
Class I safety enclosures are commonly used for:
- Weighing and transferring chemicals
- Blending or handling powders
- Working with infectious materials where product protection is not required
- Procedures requiring operator containment without sterile conditions
Unlike Class II Biological Safety Cabinets, Class I enclosures do not provide sample protection.
Select the Right Class I Safety Enclosure
To determine if a Class I Safety Enclosure is appropriate for your laboratory, review containment needs, airflow requirements, and biosafety level. For guidance on specifications, compliance, or laboratory layout planning, please contact us — our experts can help you choose the safest and most efficient solution.