Many labs have both a fume hood and a biosafety cabinet within their space. It is critical for lab personnel to understand the difference between the two pieces of safety equipment.
| Chemical Fume Hood | Biological Safety Cabinet | |
|---|---|---|
| Use for hazardous chemicals | Yes | No |
| Use for infectious biologicals | No | Yes |
| Exhausts outside building | Yes | Class II B Only |
| Has a HEPA filter | No | Yes |
| Protects the sample | No | Yes |
| Protects the user | Yes | Yes |
| Must be certified annually | Yes | Yes |
| Certified/maintained by UI staff | Yes | No |
| Certified/maintained by outside vendor | No | Yes |
| Moveable piece of equipment | No | Yes; after decontamination |
| Typical base | Storage Cabinets | Table Legs |
| Typical stance for use | Standing | Sitting |
| Alternate name | Hood | BSC, Tissue Culture Hood |
Chemical Fume Hood
Biological Safety Cabinet
