English - Spallation Neutron Source

Chapter 4: Performance Features & Safety Precautions
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
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.
Note: The Logic Cabinet records the number of hours of operation of the UV
light. You can program in the number of hours (in 100-hour increments) it
will operate before a replacement message is displayed.
Note: UV irradiation is absorbed by the tempered safety glass of the sash.
Independent research has shown that the level of UV irradiation on the
outside of the cabinet’s sash is equal to background radiation levels.
Note: The UV sensitivity of a target organism varies, depending on the UV
output of the lamp, the genus and species of the organism, the medium the
agent is suspended in, etc. Contact the facilities Health and Safety Officer at
your facility for UV light use and recommendations.
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