Make Your Selection Below
Biosafety Cabinets
Biosafety Cabinets (or Microbiological Safety Cabinets (MSC)) are HEPA filtered enclosures, frequently used in laboratories to provide protection of:
- Operators using the cabinet
- Internal environment including the product itself
- External environment/the wider laboratory
It is imperative that biosafety cabinets are annually tested and validated to ensure that they are safe to use and compliant with BS EN 12469:2000. Whether you have a Class I, Class II or Class III cabinet, Crowthorne Group can provide servicing and performance testing using externally calibrated equipment.
Our specialist engineers can carry out various performance and safety tests as part of a routine service contract or ad-hoc service visit. Available tests include:
- In situ HEPA filter leak integrity test
- Operator/product protection test using KI-Discus
- Airborne particle counting
- Pre-filter inspection and replacement (if required)
- Operational checks of all switches, outlets, air flow indicators, pressure gauges, warning systems and speed control
- Airflow velocities check
- Light and noise levels check
In addition to biosafety cabinets, our engineers can service and maintain:
- Laminar flow clean work benches
- PCR workstations
- Isolators
- Ducted fume cupboards
- Recirculating fume cabinets
- LEV systems
Frequency of Service
We recommend all safety cabinets are serviced annually as a minimum to ensure they are performing as they were designed to. However, when a biosafety cabinet is in a containment Level 3 or 4 (CL3/CL4) laboratory and therefore working with HG3 or HG4 biological agents, the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP) advises to test the performance of the MSC at six monthly intervals.
Repairs and Replacement Parts
We work closely with all Microbiological Safety Cabinet manufacturers so we can easily source any replacement parts to have your cabinet working safely as soon as possible.
Laminar Flow Cabinets
Laminar Flow Clean Benches are designed to provide a working area free of contamination, to protect the product only from contamination. HEPA filtered air passes across the working area within the cabinet with a unidirectional flow to provide a particle-free zone.
Laminar flow cabinets are for product protection only, they do not provide operator and environment protection.
Although there is no specific design and performance standard for laminar flow cabinets, the majority are designed to achieve a minimum of ISO Class 5.
Types of Laminar Flow Cabinets
Vertical Laminar Flow
- HEPA filtered air is discharged vertically, down onto the working area and leaves the cabinet horizontally through one side
Horizontal Laminar Flow
HEPA filtered air is discharged horizontally through one side across the working area and continues to leave the cabinet horizontally through the other side
Laminar Flow Clean Bench Testing
Crowthorne can carry out various performance tests and safety checks as part of a routine service contract, all of which can be tailored to suit your requirements:
- Inspect pre-filter (and replace if required)
- Check operation of all switches, warning systems and speed control
- Check general condition of fan
- Check operation of air flow indicators and pressure gauges
- Measure airflow velocities
- Check lighting tubes and light levels
- Check noise levels
- Undertake in situ HEPA filter leak integrity test
- Undertake airborne particle counting
Frequency of Services
We recommend every 12 months as a minimum to ensure correct performance.
Repairs and Replacement Parts
At Crowthorne Group, we work closely with all Laminar Flow Clean Bench manufacturers so we can easily source any replacement parts to have your equipment working safely as soon as possible.
Fume Cupboards
A fume cupboard, also known as a fume hood, fume cabinet or chemical hood, is a ventilated enclosure which is designed to protect the operator by preventing them from being exposed to hazardous substances. Used in laboratories where chemicals are used, the airborne contaminants are prevented from escaping the fume cupboard by means of a protective air barrier between the user and the materials in the working area within the cupboard.
Types of Fume Cupboards
Ducted Fume Cupboard
- Air is ventilated to outside the building via ductwork
- Constant or variable air volume (CAV/VAV)
- Designed and maintained in accordance with BS EN 14175:2003
Recirculating Fume Cupboard
- Air is filtered, before being discharged back into the room
- Carbon filters remove gases and vapours
- HEPA filters can be used in addition to carbon filters to remove particulates
- Designed and maintained in accordance with BS 7989:2001
Crowthorne Group can carry out various performance tests and safety checks as part of a routine service contract, all of which we can be tailored to suit your requirements.
Tests include:
- Measure face velocity airflow
- Carry out smoke pencil tests
- Check operation of controls, warning alarms, lights, service controls
- Check fan system for correct operation
- Carbon breakthrough testing using Gastec detector tubes
- Visual inspection of filters
- Check function of sash stop and position alarms
- Containment testing user SF6 tracer gas.
In addition, our BOHS P601 qualified engineers can offer a thorough examination and testing of the full fume cupboard ducting system, including the ductwork and extractor fan in accordance with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance HSG258.
Frequency of Services
We recommend all fume cupboards are serviced annually as a minimum to ensure that they are performing as per design specification.
Repairs and Replacement Parts
Crowthorne work closely with all laminar fume cupboard manufacturers so we can easily source any replacement parts to have your cabinet working safely as soon as possible.
Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) Systems
There are many different processes across a variety of industries which create dust, mist, fumes, vapours and gases. Human exposure to these harmful airborne contaminants is controlled using Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems.
Our BOHS P601 qualified engineers can undertake a thorough examination and testing of your LEV system to ensure it is working correctly and that its performance conforms with design and commissioning information.
All contaminated air is extracted from the LEV hood and passes through the associated ductwork to the filter and fan unit, removing all contaminants and discharging the air to the atmosphere.
LEV Service
As recommended in Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) HSG258 guidance, we follow a 3-stage process when undertaking the annual examination and test of your LEV system:
Stage 1 – Thorough visual and structural examination, checking for damage, wear and tear
Stage 2 – Review of technical performance, including an assessment of capture zone, measuring face velocities and fan checks
Stage 3 – Assessment of control effectiveness to ensure the system is adequately controlling the contaminants from the process.
Frequency of Services
We recommend a thorough inspection annually as a minimum to ensure the system conforms to required standards.
Repairs and Replacement Parts
Crowthorne can undertake all remedial works to LEV systems, such as supplying and installing replacement fans and LEV extraction arms.