IBT PI Resources
Resources for Principal Investigators & Researchers
Principal Investigators (PIs) are responsible for ensuring lab safety, regulatory compliance, and proper equipment maintenance.
- PI Responsibilities for Biosafety Cabinets
- Certify each BSC before first use, then annually and after any relocation/repair.
- Ensure decontamination before inspections.
- Train lab staff in safe BSC use and PPE practices.
- Follow relocation/decommissioning procedures when moving or retiring a unit.
- Handle biohazardous waste per TAMU and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) protocols.
- More info: Texas A&M – Biosafety Cabinets Resource Page
✅Biosafety Cabinet (BSC) Certification Processes
Non-ducted BSC
✅ Process for Houston PIs to Schedule Non-Ducted BSC Certifications
- 📞 Contact Vendor: Allometrics – support@allometrics.com | (832) 246-7050 to request an estimate.
- 🔢 Required Info: Include the BSC serial number and make/model with your estimate request.
- 📧 Forward Estimate: Send to Jacqueline Plaza (jplaza@tamu.edu) or Mary Cole (mcole@tamu.edu) for processing.
- 📝 PO Required: A purchase order (PO) must be created and approved before scheduling.
- 📋 Finalize Appointment: Once issued, you will receive the PO number to confirm with Allometrics.
- 💲 Costs Covered: Certification costs will be covered by the IBT.
- 📅 Multiple BSCs: If you have more than one BSC due within a couple of months, schedule them together in one estimate request to streamline.
- 🔔 Notifications: Automated BSC certification expiration notices will continue to be sent directly to the PI or their designated point of contact.
Ducted BSC Process
- These certifications will continue to be handled by TAMUHSC Operations.
- Please submit a service request in AggieWorks to initiate the process.
- Notifications: Automated BSC certification expiration notices will continue to be sent directly to the PI, or their designated point of contact on record, for each BSC.
- Preparation for Service
Before the technician arrives, kindly ensure your BSC is emptied and the interior surfaces are decontaminated.
Additional Resources
✅ Chemical Fume Hood Certification Process
Overview
- Certifications: Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) will now handle all chemical fume hood certifications in-house at no cost.
- Notifications: Automated fume hood certification expiration notices will continue to be sent directly to the PI, or their designated point of contact on record, for each fume hood.
✅ How to Schedule a Fume Hood Certification (PI or Lab Designee via AggieWorks)
- 🖥️ Log In: From the AggieWorks dashboard, under “Request Maintenance”, select General Maintenance.
- 👤 Contact Info: Complete all applicable contact information fields.
- 🔧 Issue Type: Under “What type of issue are you reporting?”, choose Vent hood/Lab Mech Equipment.
- 🔢 Details: In the Description field, include the serial number and make/model of the fume hood.
- ✅ Submit: After reviewing the request, click Submit.
- 📧 Confirmation: You will receive an email confirmation from AggieWorks once the service request is submitted.
✅ Fume Hood Certification Reminders
- 👤 A lab representative must be available on the day of service to provide access and assistance.
- 🧹 Clear the immediate area around the fume hood in advance to allow safe and efficient work.
- 📅 If multiple fume hoods need certification within a couple of months, schedule them together to streamline the process.
- 📝 A separate service request is required for each fume hood.