Commissioning Vivariums
E. Thomas Lillie, P.E., Horizon Engineering
Associates, LLP
Vivariums used for research typically invest up to $9,000 per mouse.
An 18 feet by 10 feet animal holding room may house up to 2,800
mice which translates into a substantial investment, not counting
the costly research time.
Consequently, a comprehensive commissioning program will provide
the owner (operator) assurance and resultant peace of mind that
the facility will operate as intended and within the specified operating
criteria.
By definition, mechanical systems are dynamic and are composed
of various pieces of equipment connected mechanically and electronically
to provide continuing specific results of temperature and humidity
control, air changes, air quality, noise, and relative pressure
control.
Commissioning offers a means to test, identify, and resolve issues
before the facility is occupied. It is not only a problem solving
process, but a potential problem solving process that will save
the owner substantial money and allow the facility to realize "on
schedule" usage.
Horizon Engineering Associates provided comprehensive commissioning
services for all mechanical, electrical, and laboratory systems
at the Specialized Research Facility East at Washington University
School of Medicine, a new two-story, 40,000 square-foot, biosafety
level three (BSL-3) animal laboratory. The firm’s commissioning
services included unique testing procedures developed specifically
for the project. Some of these special tests included smoke bomb
testing to demonstrate the airflow patterns and pressurization airflows,
simulated loads in animal holding rooms to verify temperature and
humidity sensor accuracy and stability, electrical receptacle testing,
and floor drain flood testing. There were several positive results
from performing commissioning on the facility. The simulation of
the animal holding room loads confirmed the ability of the mechanical
and control system to control and respond to the thermal load. The
animal holding rooms’ design criteria were revisited and the
airflows and air changes were reduced, lowering energy consumption.
The major lesson learned at the Washington University School of
Medicine was the realization that the commissioning process should
have started at design instead of at the end of the construction
phase as the cost to make modifications would have been significantly
less.
This presentation will address how to successfully incorporate
commissioning into a vivarium project.
Biography:
E. Thomas Lillie has
an extensive background and over 40 years experience in engineering,
consulting, commissioning, and preventative maintenance for HVAC
and specialty laboratory systems. He has a background in mechanical
contracting including estimating and project management. Before
merging his organization with Horizon, Mr. Lillie founded and served
as the president/CEO of Lillie & Company, the first professional
engineering firm in St. Louis, Missouri, specializing in building
systems commissioning, retro-commissioning and re-commissioning.
His commissioning experiences led him to recognize the gaps in the
current preventative maintenance systems often implemented following
commissioning, and he founded a software division to develop and
implement custom automated PM data collection and processing systems.
He is heavily involved with the Building Commissioning Association
and was a former Secretary of the Board of Directors. Mr. Lillie
has been a featured speaker at several conferences including regional
APPA (formerly the Association of Physical Plant Administrators)
conferences and Portland Energy Conservation Inc.'s National Conference
on Building Commissioning.
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