State of the Art High Containment: Why Your Facility Might Fall Short and How to Get Back on Track

Joseph A. D'Alu, RMF Engineering
David L. Puckett, FPW Architects

Given the changing nature of the basic NIH, BMBL and CDC regulations and program standards (Select Agent Program, etc), what are the potential (and likely) shortcomings of your facility? What are the best strategies to be utilized and the potential pitfalls to be navigated when a need for renovation is identified?

Why is this topic important to the industry right now?
There are many BSL3 and BSL4 facilities that may be operating outside the bounds of the current standards, thus giving occupants a false sense of safety and managers and safety officers a mistaken impression with regard to program compliance.

There is a clear need to review operational controls, airflow management and overall architectural construction to identify potential deficiencies and to prescribe proper solutions that comply with engineering and architectural best practice. Major considerations:

  • Health and Human Safety for Researchers;
  • Loss of Funding and/or Certification
  • Loss of (or Lack of) Reliability in Research Data.

What are the challenges related to this topic to be introduced and discussed?

  • Continuous occupancy during renovations;
  • Mating equipment redundancy with realities about continuous operation;
  • Scripting BAS logic to achieve the ‘zero tolerance' airflow reversal mandates of the BMBL-5th Ed;
  • Managing pressurization and directional airflows in ultra-tight architectural environments;
  • Creating ultra-tight architectural environments to properly enable pressure controls;
  • Recommended training for Researchers beyond ‘the LED lights the door'.

What solutions will be proposed?

Discussion will be based on past project experiences and will relate to the design process, construction execution, ongoing operations and design team communications. Example solution topics to be included:

  • BAS control logic in ultra-tight architectural environments;
  • Solutions for creating the ultra-tight architectural environment;
  • Schemes for interfacing high containment suites with surrounding building programs as well as precautions and methodologies for executing high containment renovations in an existing facility.
  • Lessons learned and solutions found for related systems coordination and function (specialty gas piping, lighting fixtures, casework, etc).

What recent projects will serve as examples to illustrate the talking points of this presentation?

  • Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services BSL3 Renovation (Richmond, VA - 2013)
  • NIH Building 50 BSL3 Renovation (Bethesda, MD - 2012)
  • New Laboratory of Molecular Biology Building Medical Research Council (Cambridge, England - 2012)

Learning Objectives

  • Owner awareness of potential shortcomings in their existing facilities.
  • Guide to successful renovation strategies and probable challenges based on executed project experience.
  • Both broad and specific topics an owner should be prepared to question through the course of their next project.

Biographies:

Mr. D'Alů has extensive experience with laboratory and research projects and is extremely knowledgeable with regard to sector-specific technologies and requirements. He considers laboratories and technical buildings his forte and credits his strength in this sector to his passion for science and to a personal belief that by 'getting these buildings right', he's contributed, in some way, to the critical work executed therein.

Mr. Puckett is president of FPW Architects and is responsible for working with clients as well as conceptual and detailed design. He also monitors all projects with respect to general program interpretation, contextual response, interior design, and project delivery. He also publicly represents the firm. Mr. Puckett has been a guest critic for both graduate and undergraduate design studios at Carnegie Mellon and the University of Virginia, James Madison University, and Hampton University.

 

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