Projects

The BSL-3 Addition is a 2000 square foot expansion of the existing Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory Building in Amarillo to provide a BSL-3 lab for animal disease diagnosis.

The space was designed to function separately from the existing building from a containment and infrastructure perspective but allow immediate and easy access to clean spaces and the clean/dirty vestibule from the existing building.

The laboratory operates as a BSL-2 under normal conditions, but is configured to change to BSL-3 operation by a simple change of a keyed switch on the wall.  Indicator lights in the labs verify which mode is in operation (exhaust filtration, air change rates, pressurization).

HVAC systems were designed to minimize energy use during  BSL-2 operation while maximizing safety and reliability in BSL-3 operation.  Technologies include high plume induction dilution fans, variable exhaust flow, redundant fan arrays, and lab tracking devices for managing pressure relationships in the containment areas.

Emergency and normal power systems were provided, and special care was taken to ensure containment was maintained at the lighting and power penetrations.

The space was designed for VHP decontamination using portable VHP generators and built in decon ports.