laminaarikaapit

Laminaarikaapit, or laminar flow cabinets, are enclosed workstations used in laboratories to provide a clean, particle-free work area by delivering HEPA- or ULPA-filtered air in a unidirectional laminar flow across the work surface. They are designed to protect the product and the surrounding environment from contamination, rather than to provide protection for the operator.

Two main configurations exist: horizontal laminar flow cabinets and vertical laminar flow cabinets. In horizontal units, air is drawn through a rear intake, filtered, and blown horizontally from the back toward the user, across the work surface. In vertical units, air flows downward from a top inlet to the work surface. Both types create a clean-air curtain that minimizes the chance of ambient contaminants reaching the work area. Laminar flow cabinets are distinct from biosafety cabinets, which also protect the operator and may recirculate air differently; laminar flow cabinets are generally not suitable for handling hazardous or biological materials.

Construction typically features a corrosion-resistant interior, a prefilter and a main HEPA (or ULPA) filter, a fan or blower, and an adjustable sash or enclosure. Regular maintenance and validation are required to ensure proper airflow and filter integrity. Certification often involves airflow measurements, filter integrity tests, and leak checks according to international standards.

Applications include aseptic preparation, cell culture, microbiology, and pharmaceutical compounding where the primary goal is contaminant control in the work area. To handle hazardous agents or protect personnel, laboratories rely on biosafety cabinets or other protective enclosures rather than standard laminar flow cabinets.