Shifting Expectations for Biosafety Level-3 Facilities
James Coogan, P.E., Siemens Building Technologies
Details in performance expectations for biosafety level-3 (BSL-3) ventilation systems are changing in ways that affect equipment selection and the effort required to tune the mechanical systems. Effects on construction projects are evident. Implications for existing BSL-3 facilities are unclear.
Requirements for dynamic pressurization during extreme scenarios, such as fan failures, are evolving. Construction and commissioning teams have struggled to meet expectations, expending levels of effort previously associated with biosafety level-4 (BSL-4).
At the same time, there is a trend to construct a tighter pressurization envelope for the BSL-3 laboratory. This qualitatively changes the air flow control approaches that are most applicable.
Both trends are driven by concern for safety outside the laboratory. During this presentation, the speaker will stimulate discussion of risk and balanced control approaches.
Biography:
James Coogan is principal in product development and applications at Siemens Building Technologies. Mr. Coogan has 30 years of experience designing microprocessor-based controls for mechanical systems, with 20 years of experience in the HVAC industry. Mr. Coogan has participated in the development of HVAC control products ranging from simple room controllers to Internet-based operator interfaces, resulting in several patents. Mr. Coogan has served as chairman of ASHRAE Technical Committee (TC) 1.4 Controls and is an active member of TC 9.10 Laboratory Systems and TC 2.2 Plant and Animal Environment. Mr. Coogan is a current member of the American Industrial Hygiene Association committee updating the Z9.5 Laboratory Ventilation Standard. Mr. Coogan participates in various programs for Labs21, and his publications include technical papers on room pressurization and laboratory system commissioning. Mr. Coogan earned his Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.