Labconco Biological Safety Cabinets 34610 Series - Manual (Page 29)

Chapter 4: Performance Features and Safety Precautions
Product Service 1-800-522-7658 24
Airflow Sensor
An airflow sensor, located above the Exhaust HEPA filter, constantly
monitors the flow of exhaust air out of the cabinet. If the exhaust falls below
a safe level, the control board turns off the cabinet blower, and sounds an
audible and visual alarm. This prevents the escape of hazardous material
from the front of the cabinet, in the event of an exhaust system failure. The
airflow sensor reading is shown on the display as Inflow in feet per minute
(or m/s).
Cabinet Air Intakes (Grilles), Ductwork and Air
Balance Controls
The location, size, and pattern of the grilles at the front and rear of the work
area affect cabinet containment and performance.
Note: Never block or obstruct the grilles of the Biosafety Cabinet.
Ultraviolet (UV) Lamp
Note: The Ultraviolet (UV) lamp is not recommended or readily available for
Cell Logic Biosafety Cabinets with the Scope-Ready Package because the
sash cannot be safely closed with the microscope in place. Good surface
disinfection is the preferred method. Furthermore, the following factors
cause concern with UV and microscopes:
• The microscope creates a shadow where the UV light cannot reach.
• Removing the microscope is often undesirable.
• Running UV light with the microscope inside will degrade the
microscope.
The optional UV lamp generates a primary wavelength of light of 254nm. A
secondary emission is in the visible (blue) wavelength, resulting in the
characteristic blue color while operating. UV light with a wavelength of 254
nm is biocidal, primarily by creating thymine dimers in DNA. These dimers
prevent the correct transcription of the DNA into RNA, resulting in cellular
death or viral inactivation. In order to be effective, the UV light must directly
strike the nucleic acid, and its effectiveness can be diminished or negated by
dissolved proteins or metals, or by other UV-opaque substances protecting
the target nucleic acid.
Because of its limitations, UV light should be used as an adjunct to good
surface disinfection practices. In order to get optimum performance from the
UV light, it should be replaced after 6,000 hours of operation or less, and the
exterior surface of the lamp should be kept clean and free of dust.