Ensuring Containment in Clinical Lab Automation

Bill Peters has spent decades advancing biosafety engineering. A manufacturing engineer by training, he joined NuAire in the 1980s, working alongside his family to develop high-performance containment solutions. Today, he oversees the company’s continued growth as North America’s leading manufacturer of biosafety cabinets and airflow products. Today's Clinical Lab recently spoke with Peters.

Q: Why is automation increasingly used in clinical labs?

A: Clinical labs process patient samples that may contain bloodborne pathogens, so everything must be treated as potentially hazardous. Automation limits direct exposure, reducing risks while improving productivity. But even with a robot handling the process, containment remains critical. While biosafety cabinets were traditionally designed for human operators, they must now also enclose automation to keep the process sterile and protect lab staff.

Q: What are the biggest challenges when integrating automation systems into a biosafety cabinet?

A: Biosafety cabinets provide biological containment by controlling airflow, but automation adds complexity. Size and workflow are the biggest concerns, as both impact airflow and safety. A cabinet must be large enough to allow proper airflow around the instrument. If airflow is restricted, containment fails. How samples are processed, how users interact with the instrument, and how access points are configured all impact containment.

To address this, we adjust work zone dimensions while ensuring proper airflow. We reinforce work surfaces to prevent instability, as many systems are vibration sensitive. Some systems require chemical or radiological exhaust, affecting cabinet selection and exhaust needs. Instrument waste streams must also be managed. Service access and installation logistics matter—fully welded cabinets may not fit through doorways, so modular designs are sometimes necessary.

Risk assessments often reveal that a standard biosafety cabinet does not provide adequate airflow or support an automated instrument’s weight. In those cases, a custom solution is the only option.

Q: How does NuAire collaborate with clients to design and deliver custom biosafety cabinets?

A: When a client reaches out, our custom products sales administrator gathers details about their instrument, workflow, and containment needs. Our engineering team then proposes a solution with drawings and specifications for review. We refine it through an iterative process, confirming all requirements are met before final approval. Lead time varies with complexity: fully customized systems with automation take longer, while modifications to standard cabinets are typically quicker. 

Q: How can labs ensure the performance and containment integrity of their biosafety cabinets?

A: We base all custom cabinets on NSF/ANSI 49 Biological Tracer testing, using our NSF-listed models as the core. For unique configurations, we conduct additional biological tests—sometimes with the actual instrument or a mock-up—to confirm containment. Before installation, we use smoke visualization to assess airflow patterns. After installation, independent field certifiers verify airflow, test filter integrity, and confirm performance. Annual certification ensures continued compliance and safety.

A biosafety cabinet is only effective if properly designed and maintained for its intended purpose. Our goal is to provide maximum containment while optimizing workflow to minimize risk and improve productivity.