Description

Baker NCB™ e3 Class II Type B1 Biological Safety Cabinets – Product Highlights

• Exceeds NCI specifications — The NCB e3 surpasses National Cancer Institute requirements for General Purpose Clean Air Biological Safety Cabinets, ensuring rigorous personnel, product, and environmental protection in BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories.
• Direct exhaust airflow system — All exhaust air is removed directly from the work area through a dedicated duct into the facility’s separate exhaust system, preventing recirculation of chemical vapors, gases, and particulates.
• 60% exhaust / 40% recirculation design — The Type B1 configuration exhausts the majority of cabinet air to the outside while recirculating HEPA-filtered downflow, balancing chemical vapor containment with energy efficiency.
• Patented under-work-surface HEPA filters — Dual supply HEPA filtration ensures all positive pressure plenums are surrounded by negative pressure and remain free of particulate contamination, supporting aseptic workflows and clean bench-level product protection.
• Baker momentum air curtain — An exclusive containment feature that reinforces the air barrier at the sash opening, providing an added measure of operator protection during sample handling and hazardous material manipulation.
• StediFLOW™ VFD motor technology — Self-adjusting motor controller reduces energy consumption by up to 65%, extends HEPA filter life, minimizes heat output, and delivers a quieter work environment without sacrificing containment performance.
• Versatile application support — Suitable for work with volatile chemicals and radionuclides as adjuncts to microbiological studies, pharmaceutical compounding, cell culture, and decontamination workflows in research and clinical laboratories.
• One-piece stainless steel interior — Corrosion-resistant work surface and walls with smooth radius corners simplify cleaning and decontamination between procedures.
• NSF/ANSI 49 tested and listed — Certified for personnel, product, and cross-contamination protection per the internationally recognized biosafety cabinet performance standard.
• Authorized Baker distributor — ARES Scientific is an authorized distributor for The Baker Company, ensuring you receive genuine products with full manufacturer warranty coverage including Baker’s industry-leading 6-year parts and labor warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions – Baker NCB™ e3 Class II Type B1 Biological Safety Cabinets

What is a Class II Type B1 biological safety cabinet?

A Class II Type B1 biological safety cabinet is a ventilated containment device that exhausts approximately 60% of its air to the outside through a dedicated duct while recirculating the remaining 40% through HEPA-filtered downflow back into the work area. This configuration provides personnel, product, and environmental protection, and is specifically designed for laboratory work involving volatile chemicals, radionuclides, and hazardous agents used as adjuncts to microbiological research. The Baker NCB e3 exceeds National Cancer Institute specifications for this cabinet classification.

What is the difference between a Class II Type B1 and a Class II Type B2 biological safety cabinet?

The primary difference is exhaust volume: a Type B1 cabinet like the Baker NCB e3 exhausts approximately 60% of air to the outside and recirculates 40%, while a Type B2 (total exhaust) cabinet exhausts 100% of air with no recirculation. Type B2 cabinets are required when working with larger volumes of volatile chemicals, whereas Type B1 cabinets offer sufficient vapor removal for most applications involving chemicals as adjuncts to microbiological work, with the added benefit of lower facility exhaust demand and reduced energy consumption. ARES Scientific carries a complete range of Class II biological safety cabinets to match your specific containment requirements.

What applications is the Baker NCB e3 used for?

The NCB e3 is used in research, clinical, and pharmaceutical laboratories where work involves volatile toxic chemicals, radionuclides, or hazardous agents alongside microbiological materials. Common applications include cell culture with chemical reagents, pharmaceutical compounding, sample preparation with fixatives or solvents, and vivarium procedure work. The direct exhaust design removes vapors and gases from the work zone without recirculating them into the laboratory.

Does the Baker NCB e3 require connection to an external exhaust system?

Yes, the NCB e3 is a ducted biosafety cabinet that must be connected to the facility’s separate exhaust system via a canopy or hard-duct connection. This is a requirement of all Class II Type B1 and B2 cabinets, as exhaust air is discharged outside the building rather than recirculated into the laboratory. Proper facility HVAC coordination is necessary to maintain correct airflow balance and cabinet performance.

Is the Baker NCB e3 compliant with NSF/ANSI 49?

Yes, the Baker NCB e3 is tested and listed to NSF/ANSI 49, the internationally recognized standard for biosafety cabinet performance. The cabinet undergoes certified personnel, product, and cross-contamination biological testing to verify containment effectiveness. Baker provides a certified copy of test results with each unit, and testing may be witnessed by a representative of the purchaser.

How does the Baker NCB e3 reduce laboratory energy costs?

The NCB e3 utilizes Baker’s StediFLOW™ variable frequency drive motor controller, which self-adjusts to maintain optimal airflow while consuming up to 65% less energy than conventional BSC motors. This technology also extends HEPA filter life, reduces heat output to the laboratory, and lowers noise levels — decreasing both operating costs and the demand on facility HVAC systems. Explore additional clean air and containment solutions from ARES Scientific to optimize your laboratory’s energy footprint.