Laminar flow hood, also called a clean bench, is an enclosed box that is designed to create a particulate-free horizontal or vertical laminar airflow environment, preventing airborne contamination of particle-sensitive objects such as laboratory samples or semiconductor wafers.

Airborne contamination

Clean benches are available with the horizontal laminar flow or with vertical laminar flow. Both provide a HEPA-filtered environment that protects the sample from airborne contamination. Clean benches do not offer personnel protection.

 Laminar flow hoods protect the working environment from dust and other airborne contaminants by maintaining a constant, unidirectional flow of HEPA-filtered air over the work area.


Clean Benches

 



Horizontal flow clean benches are used worldwide to provide product or sample protection for applications that do not require personal or environmental protection. These clean benches provide product protection through the use of controlled laminar airflow and filtration at minimal operational costs.

 

Biosafety cabinet

 

Biosafety cabinets (BSCs) are one type of biocontainment equipment used in biological laboratories to provide personnel, environmental, and product protection.

Class I cabinets have a similar airflow pattern to a fume hood but they also have a HEPA filter at the exhaust outlet. They may or may not be ducted outside. Class I cabinets are safe for use with agents requiring Biosafety Level 1, 2 or 3 containment.

 

The Class 2 Biological Safety Cabinet has three key features:

  • A front opening with carefully maintained continuous inward airflow.
  • HEPA-filtered, vertical, unidirectional airflow within the work area.
  • HEPA-filtered exhaust air to the room or the exhaust connected to an external extract system.

 Laminar Flow Cabinets

Laminar flow cabinets are designed to protect the product or process on the work surface from particulates that are trapped in a HEPA filter. Available in vertical or horizontal airflow configurations.