University Operating Status Update for Jan. 6

Due to winter weather, all university campuses and centers are closed, with adjustments to classes and work schedules, on Monday, Jan. 6. This includes the Foggy Bottom, Mount Vernon, and Virginia Science and Technology campuses; the Biostatistics Center; and the Alexandria and Arlington Education centers. See Campus Advisories for important details regarding classes, work schedules, and services.

Biosafety Cabinets: Repair and Movement

Routine Repairs

  • All required maintenance and repairs will be performed by Biosafety Cabinet (BSC) certified technicians.
  • The Office of Research Safety (ORS) is responsible for re-certifications only. The PI is responsible for any service or repairs (ex. HEPA filter replacements).
  • Any re-certifications required due to repairs will be the responsibility of the PI.
  • Copies of maintenance or repair reports will be maintained by the PI and the Office of Research Safety.

Movement, Storage, Surplus or Disposal of BSCs

  • Please notify the ORS in advance when you plan to have a BSC moved, placed in storage, transferred to a new owner, discarded, removed from the University, or obtained from another institution or manufacturer.
  • Prior to having the BSC moved the PI is responsible for ensuring proper decontamination of the BSC.
  • BSCs must be professionally gas or vapor decontaminated by a certified technician before a unit is relocated, stored, or discarded based upon the agents which have been manipulated in the cabinet and the future usage of the BSC.
  • Please contact an NSF/ANSI certified company to schedule this decontamination.
  • Once the BSC is decontaminated and moved, it must be re-certified prior to use.

Biosafety Cabinet Re-Certification

  • Contact our office at 202-994-8258 or labsafety@gwu.edu. Please have the BSC information (vendor, serial number, etc.) handy. ORS uses NSF/ANSI certified companies for the BSCs here at GW.

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