Laminar flow cabinets are used in a variety of environments, particularly where a clean air environment is required for smaller items or samples. They are a key part of any laboratory and a requirement for keeping samples free of contaminants that could damage them.
Laminar flow hoods work to protect the working environment from dust and other airborne contaminants by maintaining a consistent, constant, unidirectional flow of filtered air over the work area. The flow can either be horizontal or vertical, depending on the lab’s needs.
There are three classes of laminar flow hoods, Class I, II, and III. Each of these are suitable for working with different types of materials as each has its own level of protection and filtration. Class I is suitable for laboratory personnel with similar air flow characteristics to chemical fume hoods. Class II are designed for work involving BSL-1, 2, and 3 materials and provide an aseptic environment for cell culture experiments. Class III biosafety cabinets provide the highest attainable level of protection to personnel and the environment and are suitable for human pathogens and BSL-4 materials.
Laminar Flow Cabinets Filtration
Laminar flow hoods create this unidirectional flow of air with one or more HEPA filters and pre-filters. This set up id designed to create a particle-free working environment and provide product protection from contamination. Air is taken through this HEPA filtration system and exhausted across the work surface as part of the laminar flow process.
Because a laminar flow cabinet is enclosed on the sides, a constant positive air pressure can be maintained to prevent the intrusion of contaminated room air and personnel contamination. Often, laminar hoods will require custom HEPA filters to be created to ensure they create the right pressure drop and fit the equipment perfectly to prevent leaks. A multiple-stage HEPA filter and pre-filter can be developed to ensure the laminar hood is filtering air particles efficiently and keeping
Contact APC for Custom HEPA Filters for Laminar Hoods
APC Filtration has been designing, testing, and manufacturing custom HEPA filters for laminar flow cabinet hoods. We manufacture both the pre-filter and HEPA filter, and can add an antimicrobial coating if required to sterilize the air particles caught by the filter.
In many environments, including research, technology, and medical, there is always a risk for contamination of samples from the outside environment. Custom HEPA filters for your laminar hood will ensure these samples do not get contaminated by their environment or the operator.
For more information about APC’s air filter manufacturing and testing for laminar hoods, contact us. We can provide a quote for our air filter manufacturing for your lab and get started on your project as soon as possible!
Contact APC Filtration today.