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Primary Barrier Program

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The Office of Research Services, Division of Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS) supports safe laboratory operations by providing various services such as certification, repair, and decontamination of specific primary barrier equipment:
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Request Service  
Submit or Review Service Requests (Available only on the NIH Intranet)​
User Guide
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Primary Barrier Program Services

  • Biological Safety Cabinets
    • Certification, Maintenance and Repair
    • Decontamination
    • Obtaining Clearance to Purchase a Biological Safety Cabinet
  • Chemical Fume Hoods (CFH)*
    • DOHS Guidance for Resolution of Airflow Issues
    • Guidance for Safe Cleaning of Chemical Fume Hoods
    • General Chemical Fume Hood Safety Information
  • Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems (LEVs)*
    • Downdraft Tables 
    • Downdraft Sinks
  • Vertical and Horizontal Clean Benches
  • Cage Change Stations
  • Animal Racks
  • Animal Isolators
  • HVAC HEPA Filter Banks

 * Services for chemical fume hoods, LEVs are limited to initial and routine certifications. Air flow adjustments and minor repairs (e.g., light replacement) may be completed by ORF. All major repairs are obtained by the laboratories through a third-party vendor. Follow DOHS guidance below for resolution of air flow issues due to building ventilation and subsequent recertification of chemical fume hoods and LEVs .


 For additional information about the Primary Barrier Program, please contact DOHS at PrimaryBarrier@mail.nih.gov or 301-496-3457.

Policies and Guidance


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Who's responsible

Shared Responsibility​

Laboratories and facilities are responsible for identifying the primary barrier equipment located in their spaces and submitting a service request for periodic — typically annual — equipment certification. Requests for repairs of non-functional equipment should also be submitted promptly to keep containment equipment safe and compliant.

​Why it matters

Why Certification Matters

Primary barrier equipment such as biological safety cabinets and chemical fume hoods only protect workers when they are functioning correctly. Regular certification verifies airflow, containment integrity, and filter performance — catching problems before they lead to an exposure.​

​📅 Typical Certification Cycle

Most primary barrier equipment is certified annually. Some higher-risk spaces (e.g., high-containment or animal areas) may require more frequent certification.