Biosafety Cabinet Certification

Biological Safety Cabinets (BSC) Annual Certification:

January 10, 2024

BSCs are one of the most critical pieces of safety equipment in Biosafety Level (BSL) Containment laboratories. Designed to contain aerosols generated from biological material via laminar air flow and high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration, BSCs differ from chemical and laminar flow hoods (clean hoods) in that they always offer personnel projection. They also provide some protection from contamination of the material being handled within the work environment.

BSC PI /Owner Responsibilities and BSC Annual Certification:

Proper operation, maintenance, and annual certifications of a BSC is necessary to ensure protection of personnel.

Annual Certification:

• Effective immediately, all BSCs located within University of Montana facilities must be certified, including those that are not actively being used for BSL2 research. The certification process ensures that each BSC meets the operating specifications and as well as providing maximum protection.
• All BSCs located within University of Montana or Missoula College facilities will be certified annually, starting in October 2024.
• Certification will be managed by the Biosafety Officer and certification costs will be covered by the Office of Research and Creative Scholarship.
• PIs with BSCs that require certification outside of the annual scheduled service should contact the Biosafety Officer to arrange for a site visit. PIs will be responsible for certification costs outside of the annual certification schedule, including for certification of new or moved BSCs.
• Environmental Health and Safety personnel, as part of routine laboratory safety inspections, will confirm all BSCs hold current certifications.

PI/Owner Responsibilities:

• PIs/owners are responsible for ensuring the proper maintenance and care of BSCs, outside of annual certification.
• PIs must make BSCs accessible for certification during the annual service visits.
• Additional services, such as the replacement of HEPA filters or repairs, beyond annual certification, will be scheduled and paid for by the responsible PI/owner.
• Expense to cover certification of new BSCs brought-online prior to UMs annual recertification date will be covered by responsible PI/owner.
• New BSC cabinet information, i.e., serial and model number, building/room location, PI/owner, will be reported to UM’s Biosafety Officer within 30 days of installation.
• BSCs must be recertified within 30 days of being moved, even within the same lab. The cost to cover recertification will be covered by PI/owner.

Please contact Biosafety Officer at IBC@mso.umt.edu or (406) 243-6395 for questions or more information.