44 RACA Journal I February 2026
LABORATORIES technical
A question from the floor raised whether BIBO systems have a role in hospital operating theatres. The panel explained that theatres typically operate under positive pressure to prevent ingress of contaminants. In such cases, terminal housings with pharmaceutical-grade filters are more appropriate than BIBO units. However, for isolation wards or treatment rooms for infectious diseases, negative pressure with dedicated exhaust and BIBO filtration may be necessary.
The session closed by situating BIBO systems within the wider African biosafety landscape. Projects in Angola, Burundi and South Africa illustrate both the technical challenges and the funding hurdles involved in building high-containment laboratories. International funders, whether from the US, Japan or China, often require stringent documentation before approving equipment such as BIBO housings, given their dual-use potential in both medical and nuclear applications.
MAINTENANCE AND REPLACEMENT In theory, HEPA filters can last up to 10 years, but in practice, replacement cycles vary widely depending on environmental conditions. In high-dust areas – such as Pretoria, Mngadi suggested – filters may load in as little as six months. Regular monitoring of pressure differentials, airflow and filter loading is therefore essential.
AFMS, the engineering contractor, makes it clear that disposal responsibility lies with the client. While the company ensures housings are safely sealed and decontaminated, certified incineration must be arranged by the facility itself, with certificates issued for audit purposes. This compliance step is particularly important in TB laboratories, where the release of contaminated filters into general waste would be catastrophic.
CONCLUSION From the principles of negative pressure cascades to the practicalities of safe filter disposal, the session underscored the central role of BIBO technology in ensuring that dangerous pathogens remain contained within the laboratory environment. While decon strategies may differ – decon boxes versus mobile units, formaldehyde versus hydrogen peroxide – the end goal is the same: to protect technicians, the public and the environment from accidental exposure.
As the industry evolves, engineers, contractors and endusers alike must remain vigilant in applying both sound design principles and rigorous operational protocols. After all, in biosafety engineering, the weakest seal, the smallest leak or the cheapest shortcut can have consequences far beyond the walls of the laboratory. RACA
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44 RACA Journal I February 2026
AIR CONDITIONING