Axiom Week: Day 4
FAQs, Myths, Fabrications & Misinformation about the Type C1 Purifier Axiom - Part 4
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Can the Axiom replace a Type B2?
In most cases, YES! Type B2 cabinets are commonly selected out of an over-abundance of caution related to a microbiology lab’s use of chemicals considered to be hazardous, not out of risk assessment determining that the application is using hazardous chemistry.
MYTH: The Type B2 BSC provides the greatest flexibility because the work zone airflow is exhausted 100%.
TRUTH: The B2 is the most inflexible of all Class II BSCs because it is 100% exhausted. By NSF/ANSI Standard 49 definition, Type B2 BSCs require a dedicated exhaust system and blower to provide personnel protection.
MISINFORMATION: The Type B2 does not require specific use work instructions because of its 100% exhausted work zone.
TRUTH: The Type B1 is the only cabinet that requires specific and special training/user work instructions, to assure that users work in the appropriate area of the BSC’s work zone. For the A2, A2 with canopy, B2 and C1 – users simply work inside the dished work surface.
NOTE: It is always safe practice to work in any ventilated safety enclosure as far from the open face as possible. As cited from the BMBL 5th ed. by NIH/CDC, Appendix A – in reference to BSC usage, “All operations should be performed on the work surface at least four inches in from the front grille.”
FABRICATION: As with all volatile chemical use in BSCs, a risk assessment must include worst case scenarios of spills and container breaches to evaluate worst case exposure scenarios.
TRUTH: The use of volatile chemicals cannot be lumped into all-inclusive scenarios. All applications should be vetted by the Biosafety Officer (BSO), Industrial Hygienist or EH&S Official for risk assessment.
That risk assessment should also include laboratory risks during system failures – especially the building exhaust system.
During a remote exhaust failure, Type B BSC must detect an exhaust remote failure within 15 seconds. During this time the BSC is pressurized and the user is in the path of air from the work area back into the laboratory, characterized as “puff-back” – as defined by NIH/CDC in the BMBL 5th edition.
BENEFITS: In a B2, the entire work surface is capable of containing hazardous chemical vapors. However, since the B2 must have a dedicated exhaust system, the cabinet is forever committed to its installation. Not at all flexible.
The Axiom’s Omni-Flex capabilities make it the most flexible BSC design. This is possible because the cabinet does not exhaust 100% of its air and does not need a dedicated exhaust system.
During a remote exhaust failure the Axiom can protect an operator for up to 5 minutes while they complete shutdown procedures and secure their laboratory assets.
ADVANTAGE: AXIOM
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MISINFORMATION: The Axiom does not have an NSF listed safe change bag-in/bag-out option for the exhaust HEPA filter.
TRUTH: The Axiom’s NSF listing at http://info.nsf.org/Certified/Biosafety indicates that the Axiom is approved with the following NSF approved accessories:
- I.V. Pole
- U.V. Light
- Bag-In/Bag-Out
- Cord & Cable Portal
ADVANTAGE: AXIOM
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Watch this video to learn about the benefits of Active Protection Protocol on the Axiom.
Tomorrow marks the end of Axiom Week! Please - no tears! Return to Labconco.com to learn more about the Type C1.
This is Day 4 of Axiom Week, see our post for: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 5
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