Laboratory Animal Facilities
(Vivariums)

Repeatable and Reliable Pressurization Control for Laboratory Animal Facilities

Phoenix Controls airflow controls systems have long been relied upon for fume hood containment and room pressurization in chemistry laboratories. The same precise control and repeatability also makes the system ideal for animal facilities.

The primary objective of ventilation systems in animal facilities is to provide a stable environment for the animals while producing a safe and comfortable environment for all occupants. While this goal seems straightforward, it is widely recognized that HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) systems in animal facilities are chronically problematic. Phoenix Controls systems differentiate themselves by using high performance, Accel® II venturi valves as opposed to the general variable volume devices routinely used in commercial office buildings.

An examination of key issues and the rationale for proper ventilation design may be found in our Vivarium Sourcebook. Please refer to the table for this and other related documentation.

Laboratory Animal Facility Documentation Most of the items listed below can be ordered via our literature request form
HVAC Considerations for Gaseous Decontamination of Laboratory Spaces using Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor (HPV)	Examines the use of hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) as a biodecontamination agent and the effects of ventilation system design on its efficacy as a decontaminant. PDF File (194 KB) 08/06
Cage Rack Ventilation Options for Laboratory Animal Facilities (320k)	A white paper describing methods for ventilating cage racks in animal labs. It details four different airflow control approaches for this type of application, from the simplest to the most complex and lists the advantages and disadvantages of each. Mechanical system designers and facility managers for laboratory animal facilities should find this document useful in making comparisons and weighing options. 07/02
Vivarium Sourcebook	A FREE, easy to understand reference document for HVAC issues as they apply to animal laboratories, including a handy compilation of relevant standards and guidelines. Contains a new section on ventilation of rodent holding rooms, with details on directly connecting ventilated cage racks to building ventilation systems. Click here to order.
What is the true cost of static pressure?	What is the cost of static pressure? Compares the static pressure requirements of terminal boxes with venturi valves. Also stresses that while terminal boxes can maintain lower static pressure on paper, the cost savings from lower static pressure is minimal and far outweighed by the energy savings from the superior turndown of the Phoenix Controls venturi valve. PDF File (146 KB) 08/06
Standards and Guidelines (118k)	This document is a compilation of excerpts from applicable laboratory animal facility guidelines in use today. Rev. 05/03
Rodent Holding Room Application (70k)	Ventilated Cage Rack solution, Connecting Ventilated Cage Racks to Building Systems.
Case Study: Ohio State University (37k)	The Ohio State University Accel®II valves were installed in this transgenic facility creating pressurized, switchable rooms to contain airborne pathogens and prevent cross contamination.
Products
Accel® II Airflow Control Valves	Precision pressurization control for a variety of room types including anterooms, animal holding rooms, special procedure, and necropsy.
Cage Rack Valve	Specifically developed to provide stable, balanced cage rack ventilation.
Celeris® 2	Environmental control system leveraging LonWorks™ technology to perform room-level temperature, humidity, occupancy, and ventilation control.
Active Pressure Monitor (124k)	Active Pressure Monitor Product Data Sheet

 

Biological Containment Laboratories

There are four widely recognized levels for designating increasing levels of containment in laboratories. Known as BSL-1 through BSL-4, each with special requirements for safety equipment, practices, and facilities to ensure protection. Familiarity with the lower levels (BSL-1 and BSL-2) is generally good among the laboratory design community because of their prevalence. For example, most university research laboratories may be classified as BSL-2, where moderate risk agents are present but not known to be transmissible by an aerosol route.

The next higher level, BSL-3 is used when agents are present that may cause serious or potentially lethal disease as a result of inhalation exposure. Due to increasing questions about the ventilation controls for these types of laboratories, Phoenix Controls is making a free, 30-page, design guide available. Download a pdf or order a hard copy in the table below.

More information may also be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) which produce the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) http://bmbl.od.nih.gov/preface.htm.

Biological Containment Laboratories Documentation
HVAC Considerations for Gaseous Decontamination of Laboratory Spaces using Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor (HPV)	Examines the use of hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) as a biodecontamination agent and the effects of ventilation system design on its efficacy as a decontaminant. PDF File (194 KB) 08/06
BSL-3 Laboratory Design Resource	This guide discusses the ventilation requirements that are unique to biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) laboratories and provides recommendations for controlling airflow in these highly-specialized environments. It includes an overview of the four biosafety levels in biocontainment labs and the types of biosafety cabinets used there, along with a compilation of relevant HVAC standards and guidelines for BSL-3 facilities. Download the file to the left (2.6 MB PDF file) 09/07, OR order a hard copy.
What is the true cost of static pressure?	What is the cost of static pressure? Compares the static pressure requirements of terminal boxes with venturi valves. Also stresses that while terminal boxes can maintain lower static pressure on paper, the cost savings from lower static pressure is minimal and far outweighed by the energy savings from the superior turndown of the Phoenix Controls venturi valve. PDF File (146 KB) 08/06
Active Pressure Monitor (124k)	Active Pressure Monitor Product Data Sheet

 

Hospital Isolation Suites

There are many environmentally protected spaces in healthcare facilities that can benefit from the precision airflow control and monitoring offered by Phoenix, including:

• Patient isolation rooms
• Operating suites
• Special procedure rooms
• Neonatal units
• Intensive care units (ICUs) and Cardiac care units (CCUs)
• Laboratories
• Autopsy rooms
  

Proper room pressurization, either negative or positive depending on the application, is achieved by applying the Accel^® II venturi valve in a CDC and ANSI recommended control approach. The valve is a fast responding, pressure-independent device with a proven history of reliable performance. More detailed information on applying the valve in patient isolation rooms is provided. For other applications, please contact your local Phoenix Controls representative.

Healthcare Facility Documentation
Health Care Design Resource	Addresses important considerations for ventilation controls in health care facilities and offers application solutions using Phoenix Controls systems. Topics covered include room airflow patterns, room airflow control, ventilation rates, and air monitoring. Download the file to the left (834 KB PDF file). 12/03, OR order a hard copy.
What is the true cost of static pressure?	What is the cost of static pressure? Compares the static pressure requirements of terminal boxes with venturi valves. Also stresses that while terminal boxes can maintain lower static pressure on paper, the cost savings from lower static pressure is minimal and far outweighed by the energy savings from the superior turndown of the Phoenix Controls venturi valve. PDF File (146 KB) 08/06
Active Pressure Monitor (124k)	Active Pressure Monitor Product Data Sheet

Cleanroom Applications

Phoenix Controls airflow controls systems have long been relied upon for fume hood containment and room pressurization in chemistry laboratories. The same precise control and repeatability also makes the system ideal for cleanroom facilities.