Mycobacterial Laboratories - BSL3 Labs Architectural and Engineering Controls Update

MYCOBACTERIAL LABORATORIES -BSL3 LABS

ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING CONTROLS UPDATE

ISSUE:

Engineering controls in Biosafety Level 3 (BSL 3) laboratories.

BACKGROUND:

Due to a heightened national concern about bio-safety in Clinical Mycobacterial

Laboratories, a design alert, FM-187C-DA49 was issued on June 3, 1997,

recommending architectural and engineering controls in BSL 3 laboratories. Since

then, requirements have changed. This design alert updates those requirements.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

For new construction or major renovation of clinical mycobacterial laboratories, the

following architectural and engineering controls are recommended as per latest

CDC/NIH guidelines.

1. The architectural and engineering drawings shall identify the area requiring

BSL3 compliance. The area shall be identified based on discussions with the

medical center personnel.

2. Requirements of the most recent 4th Edition of the CDC/NIH Manual on

Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories shall be followed. For

Laboratory Facilities (Secondary Barriers) for Biosafety Level 3 Laboratories

are:

a. The laboratory is separated from areas that are open to

unrestricted traffic flow within the building, and access to the

laboratory is restricted. Passage through a series of two self-

closing doors is the basic requirement for entry into the laboratory

from access doors. Doors are lockable. A clothes change room

may be included in the passageway.

b. Each laboratory room contains a sink for hand washing. The sink

is hands-free or automatically operated and is located near the

room exit door.

c. The interior surfaces of walls, floors and ceilings of areas where

BSL-3 agents are handled are constructed for easy cleaning and

decontamination. Seams! If present, must be sealed. Walls,