Thermo Scientific Biological Safety Cabinets

Tec h ni c a l N ote: TN B S C TCO N A
Thermo Scientific
Biological Safety Cabinets
Managing a Facility’s Total Cost of Operation
Key Words
Total Cost of Operation (TCO), Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs), Hoods,
Fume Hoods, Energy Efficiency
Goal
Managing groups of biological safety cabinets (BSCs) in a biomedical
research, healthcare or academic facility requires three strategies to
optimize the total cost of operation. These strategies address both
performance and cost. An inexpensive BSC that does not provide the
needed cleanliness and containment has no value; conversely, a BSC that
provides unneeded or unused protection is a waste of important resources
that could be better utilized elsewhere.
Strategy One: The right protection for your
application
Biological safety cabinets (BSCs), clean benches, chemical
fume hoods and additional airflow cabinetry are
commonly called “hoods.” Although laboratory hoods
are often lumped together, each provides very different
types of protection with different cost structures.
construction and do not have internal fans or filters. The
major operating cost associated with fume hoods is heating,
cooling and conditioning the air required to replace the
expelled laboratory air. A Mills and Sartor1 study on fume
hoods estimated the annual cost of external exhaust at $4.50
per cfm per year. A typical fume hood with an opening 3 ft
wide and 18 inches tall requires approximately 450 cfm and
costs over $2,000 per year in energy.
If biological containment or protection is required, then
HEPA-filtered, non-exhausted hoods or Type A2 BSCs
are necessary. If the containment or protection required is
from volatile chemicals or gas, then externally-exhausted
chemical hoods or Type B2 BSCs are necessary. Figure 1
illustrates the level of protection required for the various
types of airflow cabinets.
From a cost standpoint, the decision that a BSC must provide
protection from gases and volatile chemicals, in addition to
biological hazards, increases the overall cost of the BSC
significantly. For safety and efficiency, it becomes vital to
determine precisely what type of protection is needed.
Airflow Cabinets & Protection Level
Protection Level
Airflow Cabinet Type
Class II, Type A2 BSC
(Non-Exhausted,
HEPA-Filtered)
Class II, Type B2 BSC
(Externally Exhausted,
HEPA-Filtered)
Chemical Fume
Hood (Externally
Exhausted)
Personal
*
*
*
Environment
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Open Air
Lab Bench
Product
Laminar Flow
Clean Bench
(HEPA-Filtered)
*
Cross-contamination
Figure 1: Select the type of airflow product required based on whether or not biohazards or toxic chemicals are used in the application.
Biological safety cabinets, laminar flow clean benches and
cleanrooms capture and control “particles” including
biological agents through HEPA filtration. With proper
maintenance, most of these filtration-based devices can
last five to ten years between filter changes.
Chemical fume hoods use airflow to capture, dilute and
expel hazardous gases and fumes from the laboratory or
work area. Chemical fume hoods tend to be simpler in
* Based on internal data, 2011. Data on file.
Total Cost of Operation over 15 years
$ 20,000
$ 15,000
$ 10,000
$ 5,000
$
Non-Exhausted
Externally
BSC
Exhausted BSC
Externally Exhausted Chemical
Fume Hood
Figure 2: Estimated equipment costs for energy and maintenance
over 15 years. Externally exhausted models double costs.*
Figure 2 provides a rough comparison of total costs in
energy and upkeep for the three types of containment
equipment discussed: Non-Exhausted BSCs, Externally
Exhausted BSCs, Externally Exhausted Chemical Fume
Hood. Note how the decision to provide protection from
both biological hazards and volatile toxic chemicals,
which requires the equipment to be externally exhausted,
more than doubles the total cost of operating the BSC.
Strategy Two: Assess your usage needs
With the exception of external exhaust, the major
ongoing costs of a BSC are associated with usage. When
the BSC is operating; the fans are spinning, the fluorescent
lights are on, the filters are loading up with captured
particles and motors are wearing down. None of this
happens when the BSC is completely turned off.
Two BSC Usage Groups
Weekly Hours BSC in Operation
200
150
100
50
0
10 203040
5060
Weekly Hours Used
Figure 3: Results showing hours/week when users are working in
BSCs (yellow) and hours BSC blowers were left operating regardless
of active usage (blue). Average weekly use is 18 hours/week.*
Yellow = Only on when used Blue = 24/7 ‘On’ or “Power User”
Some BSCs are used only occasionally when the particular
application requires the cleanliness and containment of a
HEPA-filtered BSC. Other BSCs are constantly in use
because of laboratory demands. Figure 3 shows the results
of a BSC survey undertaken by Thermo Fisher Scientific to
better understand BSC usage. The horizontal x-axis
represents the hours per week the users reported
physically working inside the BSC. The vertical y-axis
represents the hours per week the users reported the BSC
blowers were left in operating mode.
Notice that BSC usage falls into two distinct categories.
The first category (yellow) are units where the BSC
blowers are only on when the BSC is in use (i.e., the BSC
is turned off when it is non-operational). The second
category (blue) are units where the BSC blowers are on
* Based on external field study, 2011. Data on file.
essentially 24/7, regardless of use. In surveys to date, we
have found 27 to 30% of the BSCs fall into this blue
category, which we call “Power Users.” Regardless of the
number of hours the BSCs were in operation, all users
reported < 60 hours of use per week. The average use
was < 18 hours.
A part of an overall strategy to maximize the cleanliness
and containment provided by a facility’s BSCs while
optimizing the costs requires recognition that the usage and
costs can vary significantly. Some energy efficient BSCs
available on the market today operate at 75% lower energy
consumption levels than commonly used, traditional BSCs.
Therefore, “Power users” should consider upgrading to
newer BSC technology for maximum reduction in their
facility’s overall operating costs.
Strategy Three: Timing is everything
The costs of operating a BSC are not evenly distributed
over the 15 or 20 year lifespan of the unit. In the first year,
electricity and cooling are the only additional costs. At
some point, the filters and/or motors will need replacement. The cost for this is typically between $1,000 and
$2,000 or even more. For the traditional BSC, filters and
motor replacement are approximately 35% of the total
cost of operation over 15 years.
Estimated Annual BSC Expense for Power Users*
Annual operating costs
2
$ 2,500
$ 2,000
$ 1,500
$ 1,000
$ 500
$
123456789101112
1314
15
Number of Years in Use
Figure 4: Estimated operating cost per year for “Power User” with
cost being constant except for years when maintenance is required.*
Figure 4 shows a typical pattern of expenditure for a BSC
Power User. Note the annual expenses are the same from
year to year, unless the filters needs replacing (as in years
seven and fourteen) or the motor needs replacing (as in
year ten).
Replacing a BSC rather than spending the money to mend
significant components may be the most cost effective way
to transition from a costly, inefficient BSC
to a newer, more cost effective BSC.
BSC: Five Steps to Managing TCO
These strategies can be implemented as part of an overall
approach using these steps:
1. Conduct a BSC inventory survey, capturing:
- unit model
- location and identification
- usage (hours per day, days per week)
- electrical energy consumption
- external exhaust volume
- room exhaust volume
- application (biohazards, volatile toxic chemicals, etc.)
Note that the most costly non-externally exhausted BSCs
How Thermo Scientific BSCs Can Reduce
ITALIAN
thermoscientific.com
on
the far right of the chart (shown
in red) are all Class
Your Facility’s TCO:
II,
Type
B2
BSCs;
the
next
most
costly
BSCs
(shown
in
• Scientific
Long Inc.
life
components
– expected motor life >100,000
© 2012 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Tutti i diritti riservati. Tutti gli altri marchi sono di proprietà di Thermo Fisher
e delle
sue filiali. Specifiche,
condizioni e tariffe
subire variazioni.
Non tutti i prodotti
sono disponibili
in tuttiA2
i paesi.
Per maggiori dettagli
consultare
il rivenditore
locale motor changes over the life of the
yellow)
arepossono
externally
exhausted
Class
II, Type
and
hours
means
fewer
B1
BSCs. This supports the value of
the first strategy.
cabinet
Australia +61 39757 4300
India +91 22 6716 2200
Svizzera +41 44 454 12 22
Taking
the
nominal
4 ft width as an
example,
a typical
Austria +43
1 801
40 0
Italia
+39 02 95059
554
UK/Irlanda +44 870 609 9203
• Mini-pleat
HEPA
filters
– more surface area equates to
Belgio +32 53 73 42 41
Olanda +31 76 579 55 55
USA/Canada
+1 866
984 3766
Class
II,
Type
B2
BSC
requires
an
external
exhaust
of
Cina +86 21 6865 4588 or
Nuova Zelanda +64 9 980 6700
longer
filter
life
665
II, Type
A2 BSC of
+86 10cfm
8419and
3588 a non-exhausted Class
Europa
del Nord/CIS
Altre Nazioni Asiatiche +852 2885 4613
Francia +33 2 2803 2180
+358 9 329 10200
Nazioni non in elenco +49 6184 90 6000
the
same
size
requires
360
cfm.
•
Balanced
– downflow and inflow load evenly
Germania +49 6184 90 6000
Russia +7 812 703 42 15
o +33 2filters
2803 2180
Giappone +81 45 453 9220
Spagna/Portogallo +34 93 223 09 18 eliminating premature replacement
The cost of the average externally exhausted BSC was
more than fourteen times greater than the average of the
• Energy efficient DC motors – reduce energy
non-externally exhausted BSC. External exhaust is needed
consumption by 75%
GERMAN
thermoscientific.com
to provide needed protection to BSC users also working
• Night Set-Back mode – energy saving mode for low
with
Given Alle
that
external exhaust
© 2012 volatile
Thermo Fishertoxic
Scientificchemicals.
Inc. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.
anderenWarenzeichen
sind Eigentum von Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. bzw. nationalen
periods
Niederlassungen. Änderungen von Spezifikationen, Bedingungen und Preisen vorbehalten. Nicht alle Produktesindusage
in allen Ländern
erhältlich. Ausführliche
Informationen erhalten Sie bei Ihrer Thermo Fisher Vertretung.
Annual costs
Australien +61 39757 4300
Indien +91 22 6716 2200
Russland +7 812 703 42 15
Operating Cost
of Energy
and 554
Exhaust for Class II BSCs
Surveyed+34
(Ranked
from
Belgien +32 53 73 42Annual
41
Italien
+39 02 95059
Spanien/Portugal
93 223 09
18 low to high)
China +86 21 6865 4588 or
Japan +81 45 453 9220
Schweiz +41 44 454 12 22
$ 8419
6,0003588
Class II, Type A2 (Non-Exhausted)
+86 10
Niederlande +31 76 579 55 55
UK/Irland +44 870 609 9203
Deutschland NationaleClass
kostenlose
Neuseeland
+64 9 980 6700
USA/Kanada +1 866 984 3766
II, TypeHotline
A2 (Externally
Exhausted)
$
5,000
0800 1 536 376
Nordeuropa/Baltikum/CIS
Class
II,
Type
B2
(Externally
Exhausted)
Deutschland International
+358 9 329 10200
Andere asiatische Länder +852 2885 4613
$ 4,000
+49 6184 90 6000
Österreich +43 1 801 40 0
Andere Länder +49 6184 90 6000
Frankreich
+33 2 2803 2180
oder +33 2 2803 2180
$ 3,000
$ 2,000
300
285
270
255
240
225
210
195
180
165
150
135
120
105
90
75
FRENCH
60
45
30
thermoscientific.com
15
$ 1,000
© 2012 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Tous droits réservés. Les autres marques déposées sont des marques commerciales ou déposées de Thermo Fisher
Scientific
Inc et de
filiales. Les
caractéristiques,
conditionsand
et tarifs
sont susceptibles
d’être modifiés.
Tous lesof
produits
ne sont
pas disponibles dansType
tous lesA2 (blue) models are least
Figure
5:ses
Annual
total
costs (energy
exhaust)
for different
types
BSCs.
Non-exhausted
pays. Pour tout renseignement, veuillez vous adresser à votre distributeur local.
expensive to operate while externally exhausted Type B2 for chemical protection (red) are highest. *
Allemagne +49 6184 90 6000
France +33 2 2803 2180
Russie +7 812 703 42 15
Australie +61 39757 4300
Inde +91 22 6716 2200
Suisse +41 44 454 12 22
Autriche +43 1 801 40 0
Italie +39 02 95059 554
UK/Irlande +44 870 609 9203
Belgique +32 53 73 42 41
Japon +81 45 453 9220
USA/Canada +1 866 984 3766
*
Based
on
external
field
study,
2011.
Data
on
file.
Chine +86 21 6865 4588 or
Nouvelle-Zélande +64 9 980 6700
+86 10 8419 3588
Pays Bas +31 76 579 55 55
Autres pays d’Asie +852 2885 4613
1
Energy use and
forPays
laboratory
fume hoods, Evan Mills,Autres
DalePays
Sartor,
Lawrence
Espagne/Portugal
+34savings
93 223 09potential
18
nordiques/baltes/CEI
+49 6184
90 6000 Berkeley National Laboratory,
+358 9 of
329California,
10200
ou +33 2 2803 2180
Energy Analysis Department, University
2003
thermoscientific.com
thermoscientific.com/bscnewlab
© 2012 Thermo
Inc.Inc.
All rights
reserved.
All trademarks
are theare
property
of ThermoofFisher
Scientific
and its subsidiaries.
Specifications,Specifications,
ThermoFisher
FisherScientific
Scientific
All rights
reserved.
All trademarks
the property
Thermo
FisherInc.
Scientific
Inc. and its subsidiaries.
terms and
and pricing
pricing are
NotNot
all products
are available
in all countries.
Please consult
localyour
saleslocal
representative
for details. for details.
terms
aresubject
subjecttotochange.
change.
all products
are available
in all countries.
Please your
consult
sales representative
Australia +61 39757 4300
Austria +43 1 801 40 0
Belgium +32 53 73 42 41
China +86 21 6865 4588 or
+86 10 8419 3588
France +33 2 2803 2180
Germany national toll free 0800 1 536 376
Germany international +49 6184 90 6000
TNBSCTCONA 0612
India toll free 1800 22 8374
India +91 22 6716 2200
Italy +39 02 95059 554
Japan +81 45 453 9220
Netherlands +31 76 579 55 55
New Zealand +64 9 980 6700
Nordic/Baltic/CIS countries
+358 9 329 10200
Russia +7 812 703 42 15
Spain/Portugal +34 93 223 09 18
Switzerland +41 44 454 12 22
UK/Ireland +44 870 609 9203
USA/Canada +1 866 984 3766
Other Asian countries +852 2885 4613
Countries not listed +49 6184 90 6000
3
Tec h ni c a l N ote: TN B S C TCO N A
cost is the single greatest contributor to the operational
cost to this population of Class II BSCs, verifying the need
and identifying the amount of external exhaust needed
©2.
2012
Thermo Fisher
Scientific
Reservados
todos los of
derechos.
Las otras marcas
Identify
the
top Inc.
20%
in terms
operating
costcomerciales son propiedad de Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. y sus
could enmake
tremendous
filiales. Características, condiciones y precios están sujetos a posibles cambios. Algunos productos no están disponibles
todos losapaíses.
Consulte los difference to the bottom line of
detalles
con su representante
comercial local.
the organization.
3. Review
application
requirements with environmental
health
safety
Alemania
+49 and
6184 90
6000
Francia +33 2 2803 2180
Rusia +7 812 703 42 15
As Figure
5 illustrates, 70% of the operating cost of the
Australia +61 39757 4300
Holanda +31 76 579 55 55
Suiza +41 44 454 12 22
Austria
+43 1 801
40 0
India +91 22 6716 2200
UK/Irlanda +44
870 609from
9203 the 20% most costly BSCs. By
BSC population
comes
4. Identify
cost/benefit
for unit replacement
Bélgica +32 53 73 42 41
Italia +39 02 95059 554
USA/Canadá +1 866 984 3766
targeting
the
20%
most
costly BSCs at an institution and
China
+86 21 6865
4588 or
Japónreplacement
+81 45 453 9220
5. Identify
cost/benefit
for timed unit
+86 10 8419 3588
Nueva Zelanda +64 9 980 6700
Otrosthe
países
de and
Asia +852
reviewing
use
need2885
for4613
external exhaust, the energy
España/Portugal +34 93 223 09 18
Nórdicos/Bálticos/CIS
Otros paises +49 6184 90 6000
efficiency
of
those
high
use
units
and the availability of
Figure 5 below ranks our surveyedPaises
BSCs
in
order
of
+358 9 329 10200
o +33 2 2803 2180
more advanced features to reduce consumption on high use
annual operating cost from least costly (on the left) to
units, then significant savings can be achieved.
most costly (on the right).
- service history (age, last filter change, last motor
SPANISH
speed setting)
change, current
thermoscientific.com