Zefon Bio-Pump Plus Air Sampling Pump ZBP-205

Overview

The Zefon Bio-Pump Plus Air Sampling Pump ZBP-205 is a compact, portable, battery-powered personal air sampling device engineered for precision and reliability in indoor air quality (IAQ), occupational hygiene, and environmental bioaerosol monitoring applications. Designed specifically for use with Zefon’s Air-O-Cell® and Via-Cell® single-use spore trap cassettes, the ZBP-205 operates on the principle of constant-flow volumetric sampling—drawing ambient air through a calibrated orifice into the collection medium at a fixed, user-verified flow rate of 15 L/min. Its robust brushless DC motor architecture ensures stable performance under variable backpressure conditions typical of filter media and impaction-based cassettes. The pump meets fundamental operational requirements for compliance with OSHA, NIOSH, and ISO 16000-8 methodologies where gravimetric or microscopic analysis of airborne fungal spores, pollen, fibers, and other particulates is required.

Key Features

• Constant-flow operation at 15 L/min with ±2% stability and ±2% flowmeter accuracy—validated across full operational range and load conditions
• Rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery delivering up to 8 hours of uninterrupted sampling or approximately 100 discrete 5-minute sampling events
• Integrated real-time elapsed time display enabling precise exposure duration tracking per sample event
• Programmable sampling timer supporting unattended operation with configurable start delay, run duration, and auto-shutdown
• Multi-modal “Sample Complete” alert—audible beep and LED indicator—ensuring operator awareness without visual monitoring
• Low-noise design (<45 dBA at 1 m) suitable for office, laboratory, and occupied building environments
• Compact footprint (11.43 × 6.99 × 20.34 cm) and lightweight construction (0.68 kg) facilitating field deployment, personal sampling, and tripod-mounted stationary setups
• 3-hour rapid battery recharge via included 110–230 V AC charger with North American plug configuration

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ZBP-205 is validated for use with Zefon Air-O-Cell® and Via-Cell® cassettes—widely accepted in clinical, industrial hygiene, and remediation workflows for non-viable and viable particle capture. Its flow characteristics align with ASTM D5755 (Standard Test Method for Microscopic Analysis of Airborne Particulate in Indoor Environments) and NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM) Method 6000 for general aerosol sampling. While the pump itself is not certified to IEC 61000-6-3 or ATEX standards, its low-power, non-sparking motor and absence of internal combustion make it suitable for non-hazardous area sampling per OSHA 1910.120 and AIHA RP-2 guidance. Routine calibration using traceable flow standards—such as the TSI 4046 calibrator—is recommended prior to each sampling campaign to satisfy GLP documentation requirements and ensure data defensibility in litigation or regulatory review.

Software & Data Management

The ZBP-205 operates as a standalone hardware device with no embedded firmware, cloud connectivity, or proprietary software dependency. All operational parameters—including elapsed time, battery status, and programmable settings—are managed via tactile push-button interface and LCD readout. This design eliminates cybersecurity vulnerabilities, firmware obsolescence risks, and vendor lock-in. For audit readiness, users are advised to record pump serial number, calibration date, flow verification data (using TSI 4046 or equivalent), cassette lot number, and sampling location/time in a controlled logbook or LIMS-integrated spreadsheet. When deployed with the optional ZBP-205-CKIT (including TSI 4046 calibrator), full traceability to NIST-traceable flow standards is achievable—supporting 21 CFR Part 11-compliant electronic records when paired with validated data capture systems.

Applications

• Indoor air quality assessments in schools, hospitals, and commercial buildings for mold spore enumeration
• Occupational exposure monitoring for bioaerosols in laboratories, pharmaceutical cleanrooms, and agricultural facilities
• Post-remediation verification following water damage or microbial contamination events
• Baseline environmental surveillance in HVAC systems and air-handling units
• Educational and research applications requiring portable, repeatable volumetric sampling
• Compliance-driven sampling per AIHA EMP-4 (Bioaerosol Sampling Strategy) and EPA Mold Remediation Guidelines

FAQ

Is the ZBP-205 compatible with sampling cassettes other than Air-O-Cell® and Via-Cell®?
Yes—while optimized for Zefon’s proprietary cassettes, the pump can be used with any 37-mm or 25-mm diameter cassette requiring 15 L/min flow, provided backpressure remains within the pump’s specified operating envelope (≤25 kPa). Users must verify flow rate post-assembly using a primary standard calibrator.
Does the ZBP-205 require annual factory recalibration?
No—the device contains no field-serviceable sensors. Calibration is performed by the user immediately before and after each sampling shift using a NIST-traceable flow calibrator such as the TSI 4046, consistent with ISO/IEC 17025 and AIHA LAP accreditation requirements.
Can the battery be replaced in the field?
Yes—the ZBP-315 replacement NiMH battery is user-swappable without tools and maintains full OEM performance specifications when installed per Zefon’s service bulletin ZBP-SB-2023-01.
What accessories are essential for routine compliance?
At minimum: TSI 4046 flow calibrator (or equivalent), Air-O-Cell® or Via-Cell® cassettes, bio-isolation filter (ZA0047), and heavy-duty tripod (ZA0043) for stable placement. The ZBP-205-CKIT integrates all core components with documented metrological traceability.