Biosafety cabinet work surface: solid or perforated?

Work surface: solid or perforated? That is the question.

The choice between a solid work surface without holes and a perforated work surface is one of the most frequent lab user’s dilemma for his biosafety cabinet.

A perforated work surface has 100% respect of laminar air flow at the working surface level. Despite the small size of the holes, accidental liquid leakage may occur or small objects may fall in the spillage tray placed under the work surface.

With a solid work surface, the air escapes by the rear/front grills of the work surface, which means the air has to make more effort to escape.

Both a perforated and solid work surface guarantee the safety of the laboratory operator. However, by giving the priority to the perfect spread of the laminar airflow over the work surface, a perforated work surface is preferred.