Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

B7: Product quality, safety or performance requirements 

Date when the measure came into force

02 April 2001 

Publication where the measure is specified

Government Notice R93 (Government Gazette 22014) Of 2 February 2001 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Compulsory Specification For Microbiological Safety Cabinets (Classes I, II And III) 

Country/Region applying the measure

South Africa 

The rationale of the measure

1.1 This specification covers requirements for the construction, fittings and pre-installation and post- installation performance of class I, class li and class III microbiological safety cabinets (also known as biological safety cabinets) intended to protect the operator and the environment from hazardous microbiological materials and (if so required by the customer or user or both), organic toxins and non-corrosive volatile organic agents.

NOTE - Microbiological safety cabinets are not intended to provide protection against corrosive chemical or radioactive materials.

1 .2 The specification does not cover the actual design of a safety cabinet and in no way restricts new design, provided that a microbiological safety cabinet of a new design complies with the requirements for materials, reliability, performance and safety given in this specification.

NOTE - Microbiological safety cabinets of class I, class II and class III should not be confused with laminar flow
clean workstations that usually discharge horizontally and vertically towards the operator and that do not provide
protection for an operator, but can even increase exposure to airborne hazards. 

Coded list of objectives

X: For purposes n.e.s. 

Description of the measure

3.6 Motor blower(s)

3.6.1 Type and control

3.6.1 .1 Variable speed controls

One or more motor blowers that are fitted to the cabinet shall be directly driven and have variable speed control(s). Variable speed controls shall be accessible to service personnel but not readily accessible to the everyday cabinet user. When more than one blower is fitted, they shall be electrically interlinked.

3.6.1.2 Class II cabinet with separate recirculation and exhaust motor blowers

If more than one motor blower is used, the motors shall be so electrically controlled that the correct balance is maintained between the recirculating airflow and the exhaust airflow. They shall be so interlocked that the recirculating motor blower cannot operate unless the exhaust blower is operating.

3.6.2 Blower rating and performance

3.6.2.1 When a class I safety cabinet is tested in accordance with 7.3.1 with a clean HEPA-filter system and an airflow velocity of at least 20 % above the maximum specified inward airflow velocity of 1,0 m/s (see 4.1.3.2), the motor blower(s) shall be capable of maintaining this airflow velocity for at least 2 h.

3.6.2.2 When a class II safety cabinet is tested in accordance with 7.3.2 with a clean HEPA-filter system and an airflow velocity of at least 20 % above the maximum specified downward airflow velocity in the work space of 0,50 m/s (see 4.2.4.2.1), the motor blower(s) shall be capable of maintaining this airflow velocity for at least 2 h. In addition, when a class II safety cabinet that is fitted with more than one motor blower is tested in accordance with 7.3.2 with a clean HEPA-filter system and an inward airflow of at least 25 % above the minimum specified inward airflow velocity through the work-access aperture of 0,45 m/s, the motor blower(s) shall be capable of maintaining this airflow velocity for at least 2 h. 

Reference of the measure

Regulation 3.6 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Motor blower(s) for microbiological safety cabinets (Classes I, II And III) 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries