Technology Report

February, 2005

BSL-3 Laboratories
Architectural and Mechanical Design Considerations

The potential threat of bio-terrorism and concern Primary Biological Laboratory Safety
over the possible spread of other naturally occurring
infectious diseases, such as SARS, has initiated
Standards and Guidelines:
government funding programs for biological Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical
laboratories and research programs associated with Laboratories (BMBL)
infectious diseases protection. As a result, many Published by the U.S. Department of Health and
new biological laboratories are being planned and Human Services (U.S. Centers for Disease
will be constructed in the coming years. To qualify Control)
for government funding, biological laboratories must
be designed, constructed, and operated in ARS CSREES ERS NASS Manual
accordance with strict safety requirements. Document 242.1M-ARS
Published by U.S. Department of Agriculture
This report addresses the physical design factors for
a Biological Safety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory, The Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines
including ventilation requirements, in accord with a Published by Health Canada
consensus of current safety standards and best Laboratory Biosafety Manual
design practices for ensuring occupant health and Published by the World Health Organization
safety.
Biological laboratory classifications include:
Classification of Biological
Biosafety Level 1 (BSL-1)This is the lowest
Laboratories biological laboratory hazard classification and
applies to laboratories involving only low risk
Biological laboratories are normally classified activities. Biosafety Level 1 activities may also
according to the hazard posed by the organisms be conducted within a general chemical
intended to be present in the laboratory. The laboratory. 1 In actuality, few biological
classes, called Biosafety Levels, are established and laboratories are designed, constructed or
described along with the specific safety intended to be used as a BSL-1 laboratory.
requirements in the standards and guidelines listed
below. Architects and mechanical system designers Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2)This classification
need to focus on the aspects of biosafety that lie applies to laboratories handling organisms and
within their scope of responsibility. agents with an elevated risk in comparison to
BSL-1. It is the minimum hazard level that a
The four main classes help the biosafety community hospital, clinical or public health laboratory is
communicate requirements and practices. They do required to meet and currently covers the largest
not capture the full range of variation among percentage of existing biological laboratories.
facilities. When the laboratory director (or another Although some substances present in category
responsible individual) establishes the policies for a BSL-2 are infectious, work can be done on
particular laboratory, it is with reference to a risk tables or benches if the potential for airborne
assessment conducted specifically for that lab. The transfer of infectious pathogens (germs) is very
result may combine features that cross the
boundaries of biosafety levels. Consequently, there
is no all-encompassing description of all BSL-3 1. Where biological operations are conducted in a chemical
laboratories. An individual BSL-3 facility may include laboratory, the room design and associated building
features typical of other biosafety levels. mechanical systems need to address the safety
requirements for a chemical laboratory.
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Document No. 149-997
 low. However, BSL-2 laboratories increasingly actual laboratory rooms and associated support
utilize biological safety cabinets for greater rooms should be separated from the other areas
worker protection. of the building. Separation methods can include
locating the BSL-3 laboratory unit or suite 2 in a
All room surfaces and fixtures (HVAC grills, remote part of the building that is inaccessible to
lights, wall switches, etc.) in a BSL-2 laboratory non-authorized personnel. Another possibility is
room must be able to be thoroughly cleaned and locating it at the blind end of a building corridor.
sanitized. Provisions must also be made for
2. When the laboratory room entry is not from
sterilization of all room apparatus and the
within a laboratory suite, the entry provision
decontamination of all biological waste material.
should incorporate two self-closing doors. 3
Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3)This classification Electrical door access control systems should be
applies to a containment laboratory working with supplemented by mechanical locks so that entry
highly infectious agents that can cause serious can be prevented during abnormal situations
or lethal disease, often transmissible by air and such as a gaseous room or biosafety cabinet
can pose a significant health risk to the general decontamination. Doors should be of a sufficient
population. (This includes agents that might be width to allow movement of equipmenttypically
used in a biological attack.) 36 inches wide. However, in some situations
wider doors may be required. For safety, all
Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4)This is a maximum doors should have vision panels and the
containment laboratory for work with highly necessary fire rating. The entry arrangement
infectious, exotic and extremely lethal agents. should also prevent entrance of vermin and
Typically, there is no known antidote for insects. An emergency exit from a laboratory or
exposure to the biological agents. Standards suite may be necessary in case the primary exit
pose extensive safety requirements for this type becomes unusable. Applicable fire codes affect
of laboratory that often involves the use of full this requirement.
body airtight worker protective suits with a
respiration connection. High security must also 3. Appropriate signs should be at the laboratory
be maintained to prevent unauthorized access. entry as well as other locations, as may be
In actuality, comparatively few laboratories are appropriate. Signs should identify the potential
designed to meet BSL-4 criteria. hazards and state that only specific personnel
are allowed in the area. Additional information
Biosafety Level 3 Agriculture (BSL-3AG)This should include the name(s) and contact
type of laboratory classification is a designation information regarding regular laboratory
by the USDA Animal Research Service (ARS) operations and also what to do and whom to call
and applies to a laboratory that presents a high in emergencies.
risk of infection from agents that normally affect
larger animals and plant foodstuffs. Examples 4. Laboratory rooms within the BSL-3 unit should
include Foot and Mouth Disease, Mad Cow be designed with ample working space and
Disease, and Q Fever. BSL-3AG laboratories sufficient space for the required equipment. The
need to follow most of the design criteria of a room layout should facilitate cleaning,
BSL-4 laboratory with the main exception being decontaminating and sanitizing. The
no requirement for worker full body protection temperature and humidity generally needs to be
suits.

Architectural Requirements for BSL-3 2. A BSL-3 biological laboratory typically involves more than a
Laboratories single room. Typically, a suite of several rooms adjacent to
the laboratory room itself is necessary to fulfill the health and
The following compilation of physical design safety requirements as well as enable the overall laboratory
requirements for BSL-3 laboratories is taken from functions to be carried out.
the previously listed standards; augmented by good 3. A laboratory suite may encompass several laboratory rooms
engineering considerations: and associated support rooms. Entry into the laboratory suite
requires passage through clothes changing areas that are
1. The most preferable arrangement is where the negatively pressurized with respect to the outer corridor and
BSL-3 laboratory and associated support rooms the non-laboratory areas of a building. Once inside the
are in an entirely separate building. However, if laboratory suite, entry into individual BSL-3 laboratory and
support rooms does not then require special double door
a BSL-3 laboratory is within a larger building, the entry provisions.
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Document No. 149-997
 controlled as required by the substances present stored on bench tops, biosafety cabinets, or in
and provide for worker comfort. 4 other functional space within the room.
5. Walls, ceilings, floors, and fixtures should be 13. Provision for storing outer garments and
smooth, easy to clean, impermeable to liquids personal items should be provided in a separate
and resistant to chemicals and disinfectants room (locker room/gowning room) outside of the
normally used. Ceilings constructed of gypsum laboratory room, but within the laboratory suite.
board are preferable to conventional lay-in Ideally, passage through these rooms should be
ceiling tiles. A continuous cove floor that curves a part of the normal laboratory suite entry
up at the wall is desirable. Exposed piping and procedure. When warranted, shower, and
ductwork should be avoided. Floors should be clothes changing provisions should be available.
seamless (for example, epoxy coated), slip- 14. A hand-wash sink that is operated by a foot
resistant and only have drains where needed
pedal, elbow lever, or automatic proximity
such as under emergency showers or for hand sensor should be provided near each laboratory
washing. Drains may not be directly connected room exit door. At least one emergency
to a sanitary sewer and must have backflow
eyewash sink must also be present in each
prevention and first lead to tanks where liquid laboratory room.
waste will undergo decontamination.
15. Provision for eating and drinking should be
6. Penetrations made in walls, floors, and ceilings outside of, but convenient to, the laboratory
for installing electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and
rooms.
other services must be properly sealed to
facilitate maintaining negative room 16. There should be no cross-connections between
pressurization, prevent entry of insects or sources of laboratory water and the drinkable
vermin, and allow effective gaseous water supply. Anti-backflow devices must protect
decontamination of the room. Electrical outlets the public water system.
are preferably surface mounted to reduce wall 17. Stand-by power is desirable for critical
penetrations. laboratory equipment, such as incubators,
7. If present, windows should be non-operable and freezers, certain biological safety cabinets, and
break-resistant. for ventilating animal cages and animal holding
rooms. Emergency lighting should ensure safe
8. Bench tops that extend to a wall should be
exit from the laboratory rooms and suite in the
sealed at the wall to prevent liquids from event of a power failure.
entering crevices at the wall. Bench tops and
work surfaces should be impervious to liquids 18. Reliable and adequate gas service should be
and resistant to disinfectants, acids, alkalis, available for laboratory room equipment.
solvents, and moderate heat. 19. Provision for waste disposal should include:
9. Biological safety cabinets and fume hoods 5 Autoclaves 6 or incinerators for solid waste
should not be located near the normal laboratory treatment
room entry area or along regular walk routes. Emission controls on incinerators 7
10. Room illumination should be adequate and Wastewater decontamination tanks
designed to minimize glare in the glass panels of
biological safety cabinets and fume hoods.
11. Open spaces between and under furniture
should allow ready access for cleaning. 6. An autoclave uses steam to sterilize equipment and destroy
living organisms. Autoclaves work by first creating a near
12. Sufficient storage space for laboratory supplies vacuum within the interior space and then allowing steam at
should be provided so that such items are not 15 psi (103 kPa) to enter. The internal autoclave
0 0
temperature becomes approximately 485 F (120 C) and is
then maintained for at least 15 minutes. Pass-Through
autoclaves are designed to mount in a barrier wall and thus
4. Since workers typically wear lab coats, gloves, and other enable the loading and removal operations to be conducted
protective outer garments, rooms must typically be able to from separate rooms.
maintain cooler temperatures than non-laboratory areas. 7. Incinerators are generally only necessary when larger
Shower rooms and clothes changing areas will of course masses of biological matter must be disinfected, as is the
need to be sufficiently warm to maintain comfort. case when large animals are utilized in laboratories. Since
5. Biological laboratories often include a fume hood for use incinerators are subject to very stringent federal and local
when chemical solutions must be prepared. codes it is best to only provide them if necessary.
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Document No. 149-997
 8
20. A facility monitoring and control system should gown), shower, and put on their regular clothes.
annunciate and automatically summon an BSL-3 laboratory suites should be equipped with
appropriate response to emergencies such as a their own washrooms to minimize the necessity for
fire, hazardous spill, injury, and the activation of workers to leave the laboratory area. Individual BSL-
a room emergency shower or eyewash station. 3 laboratory facility configurations will differ based
A first-aid area or a room suitably equipped and upon an evaluation of the specific needs of the
readily accessible for immediate treatment facility and a risk evaluation.
should be in proximity to the laboratory suite.
Figure 1 shows the overall suite layout and Figure 2
21. Laboratory security should be maintained with shows the normal entry and exit path for laboratory
adequate room access controls and intrusion workers. The suite in Figure 1 has separate mens
detection systems. CCTV monitoring of and womens entry and exit provisions including
laboratory room interiors is usually prudent. locker rooms, gowning, de-gowning rooms, and
washrooms. Shower rooms are also present.
22. Laboratory rooms should have a telephone or
intercom for communication between the For safety reasons, a separate SPECIMEN ENTRY
laboratory room and outside locations. (Personal is provided to enable biological agents to be brought
cell phones and portable computers should not into the laboratory apart from the worker entry areas.
be brought in and out of the laboratory room Specimens must be brought into the laboratory in
since there is no practical way to ensure sealed protective containers and deposited in the
adequate decontamination of such devices SPECIMEN ENTRY area. The specimens are then
before removing them from the room.) An retrieved from the SPECIMEN ENTRY room by
adequate number of clocks should be in the trained and knowledgeable laboratory workers.
laboratory suite and individual rooms so that Specimens are normally placed in a biological safety
wristwatches are not needed. cabinet before being removed from their protective
container.
23. Means of transferring data from the interior of
laboratory rooms (FAX, e-mail, electronic media, After biological agents have been subjected to the
etc.) is highly recommended in lieu of physically intended research process and are no longer
transporting paperwork, record books, etc. needed, they are put into another protective
container and taken to the AUTOCLAVE ROOM
24. Before occupancy, BSL-3 laboratories must be
where they are decontaminated. The
tested and certified to ensure that all systems
decontaminated waste is removed from the
function properly and required room
AUTOCLAVE through a separate outlet in the
pressurization is attained.
adjoining room and properly disposed. Laboratory
supplies and other non-biological items can be
Biological Laboratory Layout brought to the laboratories via the service corridor.
This corridor can also be used as an emergency exit
As stated, biological laboratories are usually for the laboratory workers in case the NORMAL
comprised of suites of several rooms based upon ENTRY/EXIT is not usable or accessible.
the laboratorys purpose and the support services
required. There may be no typical BSL-3 laboratory The laboratory suite has the necessary SUPPORT
suite. Each one is designed according to specific ROOMS. Depending upon the nature of the work
requirements and constraints. The following being done, multiple support rooms might be needed
discussion uses a fictitious BSL-3 suite to illustrate especially when laboratory animals are used.
some desirable design features. This layout is more Although the room ventilation systems that serve the
elaborate than many actual BSL-3 labs. laboratory suite need not be in a location that is
The suite consists of multiple laboratory rooms along separated from the systems serving non-laboratory
with additional rooms for refrigerated storage, areas, a separate MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT
specimen reception, incubation, sterilization, supply ROOM for the laboratory suite is shown. This
storage, and many other purposes. provides greater operational security and helps to

Before entering the laboratory room or suite,

provision must be made for the workers to enter, 8. Shower provisions are not specifically required in all
change clothes, and put on protective outer instances. The inclusion of a shower provision is typically
based upon a risk assessment of the specific laboratory
garments (gown-up). Upon departing, the workers hazard. Normally showers would be required when the lab
must have provision to remove outer garments (de- work involves larger animals.
Page 4 of 10 Siemens Industry, Inc.
Document No. 149-997
facilitate proper preventive maintenance and regular jewelry, contact lenses cell phones, etc. They then
testing. proceed to the gowning room and put on the
prescribed outer protective garments that would
Figure 2 shows the normal entry and exit (NEE)
normally include a lab coat and gloves. In some
routes for laboratory workers. Entry consists of
instances, safety glasses, respirators, hair covering,
passing through the normal entry and exit and
and other items may also be required. They can
proceeding to their respective locker room. Workers
then enter the inner portion of the laboratory suite
then remove their outer garments and secure
that includes the laboratory and support rooms,
personnel items that are difficult to decontaminate.
break room and washrooms.
This includes watches, purses, wallets, keys,

MECHANICAL
EQUIPMENT JANITORIAL &
MAINTENANCE SUPPORT ROOM
ROOM CLOSETS AUTOCLAVE
ROOM EE

P MD
E
R MR I
S N
MS T S
O E
N E LABORATORY ROOM
R R
N ML
N V
E I
L MG A
L C
NEE
WG E
C
O WL C
O LABORATORY ROOM
R C
R R
R O
I WS R
D I
WR D R
O I
R O
WD R D
LABORATORY ROOM
O
R
EE SPECIMEN ENTRY

KEY: WG - WOMEN'S GOWNING ROOM EE - ENTRY/EXIT DOUBLE DOOR

WD - WOMEN'S DE-GOWNING ROOM MG - MEN'S GOWNING ROOM
WL - WOMEN'S LOCKER ROOM MD - MEN'S DE-GOWNING ROOM
WS - WOMEN'S SHOWERS ML - MEN'S LOCKER ROOM
WR - WOMEN'S WASH ROOM MS - MEN'S SHOWERS
NEE - NORMAL ENTRY & EXIT MR - MEN'S WASH ROOM

Figure 1. BSL-3 Example of a BSL-3 Biological Laboratory Suite.

Siemens Industry, Inc. Page 5 of 10

Document No. 149-997
 MD
MR MEN'S
NORMAL
MS ENTRY &
EXIT
ML ROUTES

NAL
NORMAL MG
ENTRY
ROUTE WG

WL WOMEN'S
NORMAL
WS ENTRY &
EXIT
WR ROUTES
WD

Figure 2. BSL-3 Biological LaboratoryNormal worker Entry and Exit Routes.

Figure 3. BSL-3 Laboratory Workers with Respirators Working at a Biological Safety Cabinet.

Page 6 of 10 Siemens Industry, Inc.

Document No. 149-997
To leave the laboratory suite, a worker first enters chemical fumes that are lighter or heavier than the
the washroom and proceeds to the de-gowning room air. 11
room where they remove their outer protective
garments and place them into a container for
disposal or sanitizing as appropriate. Then, they Room Ventilation Rate
must disinfect any personal items that were with BSL-3 room ventilation rates should be 4 to 8 air
them inside of a laboratory room (eye-glasses, changes per hour (ACH). 12 The higher rate applies
hearing aids, etc.) Finally, depending upon the during occupied periods and 4 ACH is acceptable
individual circumstances and individual laboratory when the room is unoccupied. Animal holding rooms
practices, they may need to shower before 9 within laboratory suites require a constant 15 ACH.
proceeding to their locker room to obtain their
regular outer clothing and other personal items. Exit
is then through the normal entry and exit double Room Pressurization
door arrangement. The ventilation system must establish a reliable
airflow through the suite in the direction of in
Ventilation Requirements for increasing contamination. This means the laboratory
room should be maintained at a negative pressure;
BSL-3 Laboratories typically -0.10 Inch WC (-25 Pa) or more below non-
laboratory areas of the facility. 13 A greater negative
Figure 4 shows a diagram of a ventilation system
pressure may be utilized to ensure the airflow
arrangement for a BSL-3 laboratory room.
direction is always into the area of greatest risk
especially when various support facilities (incubation
Ventilation Airflow rooms, autoclave rooms, etc.) are a part of the
laboratory suite. BSL-3 laboratory room air handling
The room supply air in Figure 4 consists of 100% system ductwork should be designed to withstand
outside air and the airflow quantity and final the pressure levels resulting from any anticipated
discharge temperature is controlled at the ROOM mode of operation or failure. For example, if the
SUPPLY AIR TERMINAL. The air is gently diffused supply system fails or is shut down while the exhaust
into the room by one or more perforated ceiling system remains operational, the pressure in the
diffusers. Room supply air should always be gently supply and exhaust ducts may reach the full suction
dispersed into the room at the entry area to establish capability of the exhaust fans. Supply systems
airflow from the room entry area towards the higher should be designed so that supply dampers fail open
risk area without creating high velocity air currents. It if the exhaust systems remain operating to minimize
is important not to have undesirable high velocity the negative impact on the laboratory.
cross currents at the biological safety cabinets or
fume hoods. Figure 5 shows differential pressure relationships
between the laboratory suite rooms as well as the
Biosafety cabinet exhaust is connected to the area outside of the laboratory suite. Three different
laboratory exhaust system by hard duct connections negative pressure levels are utilized in this example.
10
as required for B1 or B2 Biosafety cabinets. A The areas of highest risk such as the Laboratory
continual amount of room air is also exhausted from Rooms and the Autoclave Room are the most
the ceiling as well as near the floor level to remove negative as indicated by three negative signs (- - -).
Support rooms and rooms used for normal entry and
exit procedures are maintained at a lesser negative
pressure level indicated by two negative signs (- - ).

9. A full and complete body shower is normally required when 11. Some chemical fumes associated with biological laboratories
animals are present due to the increased likelihood of are heavier than air and therefore a floor level room exhaust
airborne pathogens that could adhere to the exposed skin or provision is sometimes recommended.
hair of the workers. 12. This is the NFPA 45 recommendation. However, specific
10. If type A biosafety cabinets are used they are not required to requirements may call for different ACH rates or not allow
be hard ducted to the exhaust system but may return a reduction of the ACH rate during unoccupied periods.
portion of their HEPA filtered exhaust into the room. Such 13. The 0.10 Inch WC value is based on double door entry
biosafety cabinets usually use a thimble connection that only system with a reliable pressure difference of 0.05 Inches WC
allows the exhaust system to remove a portion of the cabinet across each door. If there are more pressurized boundaries,
exhaust. the lab room pressure is likely to be even more negative.
Siemens Industry, Inc. Page 7 of 10
Document No. 149-997
Double door interiors are maintained at a lower Differential Pressure Monitors
negative pressurization level as indicated by a single
Differential Pressure Monitors are located at
negative sign (-). Although not specifically required,
doorways where lab users can confirm proper
it is desirable to use electrically interlocking doors so
pressurization. These monitors indicate the static
that only one door may be open at a time. This helps
pressure difference and warn of a loss of required
maintain containment even when a door is opened.
differential pressure at that location. While a door is
open, the differential pressure level across it drops
until the door is again fully closed. Therefore,
differential pressure alarms must have an adjustable
alarm delay to prevent nuisance alarms during
passage through doors.

EXHAUST TO
OUTSIDE

'BUBBLE TIGHT'
BAG IN / BAG OUT ISOLATION DAMPERS
HEPA FILTERS
ROOM SUPPLY
AIR TERMINAL
'BUBBLE TIGHT' 100%
ISOLATION DAMPER OUTSIDE AIR

HEPA
CEILING FILTERS
EXHAUST

ROOM VENTILATION RATE

4 TO 8 AIR CHANGES PER HOUR B1 OR B2
BIOSAFETY FLOOR
LABORATORY ROOM CABINETS EXHAUST
-0.10 TO -0.15 iNCHES
NEGATIVE PRESSURIZATION

Figure 4. Room Ventilation for a BSL-3 Laboratory Room.

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Document No. 149-997
 M 0
MECHANICAL
EQUIPMENT JANITORIAL & SUPPORT ROOM M
ROOM MAINTENANCE
CLOSETS AUTOCLAVE
ROOM
M
M
P MD
E MR
R I
S N
S
O T LABORATORY ROOM
MS M E
N E
R
N ML R
V
E N
M M MG I
L A
C
L
E
C M WG
C LABORATORY ROOM
O 0 WL M
R O
R C
R WS O
I R
R
D I
WR R
O D
LABORATORY ROOM I
R WD O M D
R
O
M M
R
SPECIMEN ENTRY

KEY: 0 NO PRESSURIZATION (NEUTRAL)

SLIGHT NEGATIVE PRESSURIZATION (0.01 TO 0.05 INCHES W.C.)
INCREASED NEGATIVE PRESSURIZATION (0.06 TO 0.10 INCHES W.C.)
GREATEST NEGATIVE PRESSURIZATION (0.11 TO 0.15 INCHES W.C.)
M DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE MONITOR

Figure 5. BSL-3 Biological Laboratory SuiteDifferential Pressure Relationship.

Air Filtration combined exhaust from the entire laboratory room

pass through a final HEPA filter before connecting to
BSL-3 laboratory supply air is not required to be
the facilitys exhaust system.
equipped with HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air)
filters. However, the USDA requires HEPA filters on HEPA filter(s) located in the exhaust system
supply air serving animal rooms to ensure ductwork should be in bag in/bag out housings. The
containment upon system failure. 14 filter housing should be isolated by bubble tight
isolation dampers 15 to enable decontamination of
BSL-3 laboratory exhaust air is required to be HEPA
the filter before removal. To ensure continued
filtered except when the laboratory will only be
operation of the laboratory while replacing filters,
manipulating non-airborne transmitted organisms.
dual filter exhaust housings in parallel are
When filtering is required, it must include the rooms
recommended. Filters should be accessible from
ceiling and/or floor exhausts and any other exhausts
outside of the laboratory rooms, preferably in the
from the room such as canopy exhausts and
mechanical equipment room 16 or in a service
specialty exhausts. Even though Class II Biosafety
cabinets are equipped with HEPA exhaust air filters, 15. Bubble Tight isolation dampers are normally manually
good laboratory design practice is to have all of the operated and do not require a remote operation provision.
16. Mechanical equipment rooms serving biological laboratories
should preferably be located close to or adjacent to the
14. A HEPA filter will effectively block airborne bacteria and laboratory suite and be negatively pressurized if exhaust
most viruses, but will not stop prions or chemical fumes. filters are accessible from within the room.
Siemens Industry, Inc. Page 9 of 10
Document No. 149-997
corridor. Exhaust air from the laboratory suite, gowning, etc. In the case of maintenance workers,
laboratory rooms, fume hoods and biological safety additional problems can exist with respect to the
cabinets must not be re-circulated to other rooms or need to have tools and other equipment such as
parts of the facility, even when HEPA filtered. As ladders, portable lights, etc. If these items are
with chemical fume exhaust, the air exhausted from brought into a BSL-3 laboratory or support room,
biological laboratories must be discharged outside of there must be provision to ensure adequate
the building and dispersed in a manner that does not decontamination before being removed from the
pose a hazard to persons, other buildings, or allows laboratory suite. Since this may not be easily
entrainment into building fresh air intakes. accomplished, it is advantageous to provide a
storage provision within the laboratory suite for such
items so that workers do not have to bring in
Isolation Dampers commonly needed tools and equipment every time a
Biosafety cabinets are periodically decontaminated maintenance task needs to be done.
using formaldehyde or vaporized hydrogen peroxide Housekeeping tasks are normally performed by
while the laboratory room is unoccupied. If a spill or laboratory assistant personnel who are aware of the
release of some biological agent occurs within the potential hazards and safety procedures necessary
laboratory, the room itself may also need to be to protect against accidental contact with biological
decontaminated. The BMBL requires that BSL-3 agents, aerosols, and especially how to prevent the
laboratories be designed to accommodate these potential migration of such agents outside of the
procedures. Therefore, a bubble tight isolation laboratory. It is recommended that adequate
damper may be located between the room supply air housekeeping storage also be provided within the
terminal and room supply air diffuser(s). Exhaust air laboratory suite for items normally needed for
bubble tight isolation dampers should be located housekeeping purposes. Items include cleaning
after the juncture of all separate room exhaust supplies, mops, janitorial sinks, disinfectants, wipes,
provisions and the final HEPA filters associated with tissues, etc. Note that Figure 1 and Figure 5 show
the room exhaust. If multiple laboratories have their Maintenance and Janitorial Closets within the
exhausts combined into a single manifold type laboratory suite for this purpose.
exhaust system, each individual laboratory room
exhaust must be capable of being isolated from the In addition, there must be a procedure for the safe
other room exhausts by a bubble tight damper. removal and disposal of regularly discarded items
Access to such dampers, as well as all duct from within the laboratory suite, such as waste
components, should preferably be from outside of paper, laboratory wipes, broken glassware, and
the laboratory suite. other refuse.

Maintenance and Housekeeping

Perhaps one of the most overlooked aspects of safe
and efficient biological laboratory operations is that
of maintenance. As with any type of facility,
maintenance tasks must be routinely performed.
This includes servicing laboratory equipment as well
as elements of the facility itself such as HVAC
components, plumbing fixtures, electrical light
fixtures, etc. Those performing such tasks must
receive proper training regarding the potential
hazards of the laboratory environment along with the
proper entry and exit procedures.
Laboratory suites should be designed to ensure that
maintenance personnel can only enter and exit by
the normal process. This includes clothes changing,
Product or company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. 2009 Siemens Industry, Inc.

Siemens Industry, Inc. Printed in the USA

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