University of North Texas 
Biosafety Cabinets
Please pardon our dust as we continue developing and expanding the UNT Biosafety Program webpages. Additional guidance documents, procedures, forms, and training resources will be added as updates are completed.
Biological Safety Cabinets (BSC)
All Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs) on the UNT Main Campus and at UNT Discovery Park are certified annually at no cost to departments, with certification coordinated and funded by Risk Management. BSCs must also be recertified following any repair, relocation, or maintenance that could affect performance. All certifications are performed by a qualified third-party vendor coordinated through Environmental Health and Safety (EHS).
CDC Checklist for Safe Use of Biological Safety Cabinets
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Use this checklist as a daily reminder to support the safe operation and proper use of Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs). The checklist may also be used as a training resource for personnel working with biological materials and as a tool for periodic or annual audits of laboratory operational practices and safety protocols. |
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This should be posted whenever a Biological Safety Cabinet is cleaned or decontaminated. The sign helps communicate the status of the cabinet, documents when cleaning was performed, and identifies the individual who completed the work. Posting and maintaining the cleaning sign promotes consistency, supports laboratory accountability, and helps ensure users are aware of the cabinet’s current operational and sanitation status before beginning work.
Biological Safety Cabinet Disinfection Log
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A Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC) Disinfection Log should be maintained for each cabinet to document routine cleaning and decontamination activities. The log helps support laboratory safety, compliance efforts, and verification that the cabinet is maintained in a sanitary condition for laboratory operations. Disinfection activities should be documented after routine use, spills, contamination events, or maintenance activities. Entries should include the date, disinfectant used, contact time when applicable, and the name of the individual performing the disinfection. Maintaining an accurate and current log promotes accountability, supports good laboratory practices, and helps communicate the status of the cabinet to laboratory personnel. |
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The purpose of this document is to provide guidance for the safe deactivation, preservation, and temporary storage of a Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC) to help ensure the cabinet remains suitable for future return to service.
This process includes thorough decontamination in accordance with applicable biosafety standards, disconnection from utilities, sealing of openings, and implementation of protective measures to reduce corrosion and environmental degradation. The procedure also includes labeling, documentation, secure storage, and periodic inspection, as needed, to help maintain the integrity and operational condition of the BSC during the mothballing period.