Class III Glovebox with Dunk Tank Pass-Through

What is the Class III Glovebox with Dunk Tank Pass-Through?

A Class III glovebox with a dunk tank passes small items through a disinfectant bath so the seal is never opened to the room. It is used where frequent small transfers of tools and samples occur.

Overview

This configuration adds a liquid dunk tank to the gas-tight enclosure, allowing tools, small containers and samples to be submerged in disinfectant and passed into or out of the interior without breaking containment. The tank is typically 200–400 mm in diameter with a locking outer door and an inner door, and the liquid is changed on a schedule and validated for the agents in use. The main enclosure retains negative pressure of 100–200 Pa and double HEPA exhaust. A double-door hatch may still be provided for larger items. Because liquid can carry contamination, the tank must be drained, cleaned and refilled according to a written procedure, and the disinfectant contact time must be sufficient. The design improves workflow in high-containment work with many small transfers.

How does it work?

A Class III cabinet is a sealed enclosure operated through long gauntlet gloves bonded to the front panel, so the operator never breaks the barrier. The interior is held at negative pressure of at least 100–200 Pa relative to the room, and all supply and exhaust air passes two HEPA filters, with the exhaust filter usually preceded by an incinerator or other treatment for the most hazardous agents. Because the enclosure is gas-tight, it is tested for leak tightness as well as airflow. Materials enter and leave through double-door pass-throughs, a dunk tank or a steriliser so the seal is never opened directly. A double HEPA exhaust protects against filter failure, and the exhausted air is monitored. Internal lighting, glove ports and a transfer hatch are standard. The design removes operator exposure risk but requires careful procedures for glove changes, pass-through cycles and decontamination.

What are the key features?

• Liquid dunk tank with locking inner and outer doors
• Tank diameter 200–400 mm
• Negative pressure 100–200 Pa below room
• Double HEPA exhaust maintained
• Double-door hatch for larger items
• Defined disinfectant change and contact time

What are the technical specifications?

A typical class iii glovebox with dunk tank pass-through configuration offers cabinet class of Class III, pass-through type of Dunk tank and double-door hatch, tank diameter of 200–400 mm, negative pressure of 100–200 Pa below room, exhaust filtration of Double HEPA H14 and glove ports of 2–4, long gauntlet. Values are indicative of the product class; the exact figures for each configuration are confirmed on the quotation and the calibration documents supplied with the instrument.

Which applications is it used for?

The Class III Glovebox with Dunk Tank Pass-Through is used in frequent small transfers in high containment, tool and sample entry, risk Group 4 diagnostics and aerosol and challenge studies. Across the wider Class III Cabinets class, laboratories also deploy it for risk Group 4 pathogen work, highly pathogenic virus culture and aerosol challenge and animal studies.

Which standards and certifications apply?

Relevant standards and methods include EN 12469 (biosafety cabinets), NSF/ANSI 49 (biosafety cabinetry), ISO 10648-2 (glovebox leak tightness), ISO 14644-1 (cleanroom classification), EU GMP Annex 1 (sterile manufacturing) and GB 19489 (biosafety laboratory requirements). Certification candidates for this model are CE and ISO 9001 manufacturing; each is to be confirmed for the specific configuration before shipment, and certificates are supplied only where they have been issued.

Verify leak tightness and airflow at installation and at least annually, since a gas-tight cabinet depends on intact gaskets, glove seals and weld integrity. Follow a defined glove inspection and replacement schedule, checking for pinholes before each session and replacing at the first sign of wear. Do not open the enclosure to the room; use pass-throughs and decontamination cycles for all material movement. Confirm the exhaust fan is dedicated and interlocked, with alarms for loss of negative pressure. Provide a written decontamination procedure using a validated agent, and record every cycle. Confirm the room pressure relationship and make-up air so that the cabinet does not disturb the surrounding laboratory. Train operators on emergency procedures, including power or exhaust failure.

How do I select the right Class III Glovebox with Dunk Tank Pass-Through?

Choose a dunk tank when many small items must enter without opening a hatch each time. Confirm the disinfectant is validated for the agent and that the tank can be cleaned. RFQ: item sizes, transfer frequency, disinfectant type, glove layout and exhaust treatment.

How does it compare with other Class III Cabinets variants?

Class III cabinets are chosen when a risk assessment identifies Risk Group 4 agents or operations that must be completely isolated from the operator and the environment. Select the glove system and number of glove ports for the manual tasks, and the pass-through arrangement, such as a double-door hatch, dunk tank or connected autoclave. Confirm the negative pressure setpoint, the double HEPA exhaust and any required exhaust treatment such as incineration. Check that the room has the exhaust and make-up air capacity, and that the cabinet can be leak tested to ISO 10648-2 or the applicable standard. Decide whether atmosphere control is needed for anaerobic work, and whether lead shielding is required for radionuclide use. Plan decontamination and glove replacement procedures before installation.