Pitfalls Avoidance Guide for Animal Laboratory Engineering Construction
In the field of scientific research, animal laboratories serve as crucial venues for life science research, drug development, and other work. The construction quality of these laboratories directly affects the accuracy of experimental results, animal welfare, and the safety of researchers. As a professional manufacturer of purification equipment, Guangzhou Cleanroom Construction Co., Ltd. has accumulated extensive experience in animal laboratory engineering construction through serving numerous clients. Today, we will share some guidelines on avoiding pitfalls in animal laboratory engineering construction, hoping to help research institutions and enterprises avoid detours.
I. Planning and Design
(1) Inappropriate Site Selection
Animal laboratories should be located away from natural epidemic foci, as well as areas such as railways, docks, airports, major traffic arteries, and factories that emit a large amount of dust and harmful gases. Improper site selection not only makes it easy for the laboratory to be affected by external pollution and interference, which can impact the health of experimental animals and the accuracy of experimental results, but may also pose potential risks to the surrounding environment and residents. For example, a certain research institution, without fully considering the site selection factors, built an animal laboratory near a chemical plant. As a result, the experimental animals frequently had health problems, and the experimental data were severely disrupted. Eventually, a large amount of funds and time had to be spent on reselecting the site for construction.
(2) Unreasonable Functional Zoning
Animal laboratories generally should be divided into different functional areas, including the preparation area, breeding area, experimental area, and logistics area. There should be a clear demarcation among these areas, and the flow of people, logistics, and animal flow should be separated to form a one - way process to avoid cross - contamination. If the functional zoning is not reasonable, it may lead to inconvenient experimental operations and an increased risk of contamination. For instance, in some laboratories, the breeding area and the experimental area are set adjacent to each other without effective isolation measures, and the pollutants generated during the experiment are likely to spread to the breeding area, affecting the health of the experimental animals.
(3) Insufficient Space Planning
When planning the space of an animal laboratory, sufficient expansion space should be reserved considering future development needs. At the same time, according to the types and quantities of experimental animals, as well as the size and quantity of experimental equipment, the area of each functional area should be determined reasonably. If the space planning is insufficient, problems such as crowded space and inability to place equipment may occur during the laboratory's operation. Once, an enterprise, without fully anticipating the future business growth, faced serious space shortages shortly after the animal laboratory was completed due to the increase in the number of experimental animals and the purchase of new equipment. It had to carry out a second renovation of the laboratory, resulting in unnecessary waste.
II. Construction
(1) Substandard Building Materials
The building materials used in animal laboratories should be non - toxic, non - radioactive, and easy to clean and disinfect. The interior walls should be smooth and flat, the floor should be slip - resistant and wear - resistant, and the ceiling should be water - resistant and corrosion - resistant. The joints between the walls and the floor should be smooth and seamless, and the corners should be rounded to avoid sharp edges. If substandard building materials are used, harmful substances may be released, affecting the health of experimental animals. Moreover, it is not conducive to the cleaning and disinfection of the laboratory. For example, some wall materials, after being used for a period of time, may peel off or become moldy, which not only affects the appearance of the laboratory but may also contaminate the experimental environment.
(2) Non - standard Construction Techniques
During the construction of animal laboratories, the construction techniques of some key parts must be strictly standardized. For example, the doors and windows in areas such as clean corridors, breeding rooms, and contaminated corridors should be installed with good airtightness to prevent air leakage; the connection of ventilation ducts should be firm and well - sealed to avoid air leakage that affects the ventilation effect; the joints of the floor and walls should be sealed to prevent the growth of microorganisms. If the construction techniques are not standardized, the cleanliness, temperature, and humidity control of the laboratory may not meet the design requirements. Once, in an animal laboratory project, due to the poor sealing of the ventilation ducts during construction, a large amount of air leakage occurred after operation, resulting in significant fluctuations in the indoor temperature and humidity, and seriously affecting the growth environment of the experimental animals.
(3) Neglecting the Construction of the Environmental Control System
The environmental control system is the core part of an animal laboratory, including ventilation, air purification, temperature, and humidity control. During the construction process, it is necessary to ensure that the ventilation equipment is installed in the correct position and the air volume can be adjusted reasonably; the filters of the air purification system are installed firmly and sealed well; the temperature and humidity sensors are installed in the accurate position and can truly reflect the indoor environmental parameters. If the construction quality of the environmental control system is neglected, the air quality of the laboratory may be poor, and the temperature and humidity may be unstable, affecting the health of experimental animals and the accuracy of experimental results. For example, in some laboratories, when installing temperature and humidity sensors, they are placed near heat sources, resulting in significant deviations between the measured data of the sensors and the actual indoor temperature and humidity, making it impossible to accurately control the environment.
III. Equipment Procurement
(1) Inappropriate Equipment Selection
Selecting suitable equipment according to the functional requirements of the animal laboratory and the types of experimental animals is of vital importance. For example, laboratories breeding rodents should be equipped with an Individual Ventilated Cage (IVC) system to ensure the air quality of the animal breeding environment; laboratories conducting surgical experiments need to be equipped with professional surgical instruments and anesthesia equipment. If the equipment selection is inappropriate, it may not meet the experimental requirements and affect the smooth progress of the experiment. Once, in a laboratory, when purchasing animal breeding cages, without fully considering the growth characteristics and breeding density requirements of the experimental animals, the selected cages had too small a space, resulting in the growth and development of the experimental animals being affected, and the experimental data also deviated.
(2) Ignoring Equipment Quality and After - sales Service
When purchasing equipment, one should not only focus on the price but also ignore the quality and after - sales service of the equipment. High - quality equipment not only has stable performance and a long service life but can also be repaired in a timely manner when a failure occurs. Some low - priced equipment may have unqualified quality, frequently malfunction, and affect the experimental progress. Moreover, if the after - sales service is inadequate and the repair is not timely, it will cause great trouble to the laboratory. For example, a low - temperature refrigerator purchased by a certain laboratory was relatively inexpensive, but it frequently had refrigeration failures after being used for a period of time. Due to the slow response of the manufacturer's after - sales service and the long repair cycle, the experimental samples stored in the refrigerator were damaged, resulting in huge losses.
(3) Failure to Consider Equipment Compatibility
Various types of equipment in an animal laboratory need to cooperate with each other and work in tandem. When purchasing equipment, the compatibility between different devices should be fully considered to ensure that they can be properly connected and communicate with each other. For example, the temperature and humidity sensors, ventilation equipment, and control system in the environmental control system should be able to achieve data transmission and linkage control. If the equipment is not compatible, the system may not operate normally, affecting the overall functions of the laboratory. Once, in a laboratory, after upgrading some equipment, due to the incompatibility between the new equipment and the original control system, the entire environmental control system crashed, and it took a long time of debugging and modification to resume normal operation.
IV. Acceptance Management
(1) Unclear Acceptance Standards
After the completion of animal laboratory engineering construction, strict acceptance is required. Before acceptance, the acceptance standards must be clearly defined, including various environmental indicators of the laboratory (such as temperature, humidity, cleanliness, noise, etc.), the performance indicators of the equipment, and the quality standards of the construction project. If the acceptance standards are not clear, the acceptance work may lack a basis, and it is impossible to accurately determine whether the project is qualified. For example, in some laboratories, the acceptance standards for cleanliness were not clearly defined during the acceptance process, and only a simple visual inspection was carried out. As a result, after the laboratory was put into use, it was found that the indoor cleanliness could not meet the experimental requirements, and purification treatment had to be carried out again.
(2) Neglecting the Acceptance of Concealed Works
Concealed works play a crucial role in the construction of animal laboratories, such as the installation of ventilation ducts and the laying of electrical lines. During the acceptance process, the acceptance of concealed works cannot be ignored, and professional detection means should be used to check whether the construction quality of concealed works meets the requirements. For example, for ventilation ducts, it is necessary to check their airtightness and whether the air volume distribution is reasonable; for electrical lines, it is necessary to check their insulation performance and whether the grounding is good. If the acceptance of concealed works is neglected, once problems occur during use, the maintenance is difficult and costly. Once, in a laboratory, the concealed works of the ventilation ducts were not carefully inspected during the acceptance process. After being put into use, air leakage was found in the ventilation ducts. Since the ducts were installed in the ceiling, the maintenance was very difficult, which not only affected the normal use of the laboratory but also caused energy waste.
(3) Failure to Conduct Trial Operation Acceptance
Before an animal laboratory is officially put into use, a trial operation acceptance should be carried out for a certain period. During the trial operation period, a comprehensive test of all functions of the laboratory should be conducted, including the stability of the environmental control system, the operation status of the equipment, and the rationality of the experimental operation process. Through the trial operation acceptance, problems can be discovered and rectified in a timely manner to ensure the normal operation of the laboratory. Some laboratories, without conducting a trial operation acceptance, directly put the laboratory into use after the completion of the project. As a result, various problems occurred during use, affecting the experimental progress and the development of scientific research work.
Animal laboratory engineering construction is a complex systematic project, involving multiple links such as planning and design, construction, equipment procurement, and acceptance management. There may be various "pitfalls" in each link, which require our full attention and strict control during the construction process. With a professional technical team and rich experience, Guangzhou Cleanroom Construction Co., Ltd. can provide you with one - stop animal laboratory engineering construction solutions, helping you avoid these "pitfalls" and creating a laboratory that meets the standards and requirements. If you have needs in animal laboratory engineering construction, please feel free to contact us.
Challenges and Solutions for Renovation Projects of Aging Animal Laboratories
With the rapid development of life science research and the biopharmaceutical industry, the performance and safety of aging animal laboratories can no longer meet the increasingly stringent scientific research requirements. As a manufacturer deeply rooted in the field of purification equipment, Guangzhou Cleanroom Construction Co., Ltd. has gained profound insights into the numerous challenges in renovating aging animal laboratories through years of industry experience and professional expertise. We also offer targeted solutions to help research institutions create a safe, efficient, and compliant experimental environment.
I. Core Challenges in Renovating Aging Animal Laboratories
(1) Aging Building Structures and Spatial Limitations
After years of use, aging laboratories often experience various degrees of structural deterioration, such as wall cracks and foundation settlement, which increase the difficulty and risks of renovation construction. Moreover, the original space planning is usually irrational, with blurred functional divisions. For example, animal breeding areas are often mixed with experimental operation areas, making it difficult to achieve a scientific layout during subsequent renovations. Renovation projects need to meet new functional requirements while avoiding excessive damage to the original structures.
(2) Obsolete Facilities and Equipment
Facilities and equipment in the laboratory, including ventilation systems, air conditioning systems, and water supply and drainage systems, are severely aged. Frequent problems such as poor ventilation, inaccurate temperature and humidity control, and pipeline leakage occur. Some outdated equipment not only consumes high energy but also fails to meet the precise environmental parameter requirements of modern animal experiments. When replacing old equipment, compatibility with the existing building systems must be considered, adding complexity to the renovation.
(3) Prominent Safety Hazards
Fire-fighting facilities and biosafety protection facilities in aging laboratories may not comply with current standards, posing potential safety risks such as fires and biological contamination. For instance, fire exits may be blocked, fire extinguishers may be expired, and the performance of biosafety cabinets may decline, failing to effectively protect the safety of laboratory personnel and the environment. In addition, aging electrical systems are also prone to problems like short circuits and electric leakage, threatening the laboratory's electrical safety.
(4) Difficulties in Renovation Schedule and Cost Control
Since the renovation of aging laboratories needs to ensure the normal operation of scientific research work and avoid long-term shutdowns, strict requirements are imposed on the renovation schedule. Meanwhile, it is necessary to ensure the quality of renovation while controlling costs. Careful consideration is required in aspects such as equipment replacement and material selection to avoid cost overruns that could hinder the smooth progress of the renovation project.
II. Targeted Solutions by Guangzhou Cleanroom Construction Co., Ltd.
(1) Precise Assessment and Optimized Space Utilization
Before renovation, our professional team conducts a comprehensive structural inspection and assessment of the aging laboratory. Advanced inspection equipment, such as 3D laser scanners, is used to accurately grasp the current status of the building structure, and scientific reinforcement plans are formulated to ensure structural safety. Combining the new functional requirements of the laboratory, we re - divide functional areas, including animal breeding areas, experimental operation areas, clean areas, and contaminated areas, by removing non - load - bearing walls and optimizing the layout. Personnel and logistics passages are planned rationally to improve space utilization efficiency.
(2) Equipment Upgrades and Intelligent Environment Creation
To address the problem of obsolete facilities and equipment, we give full play to our company's advantages in the production of purification equipment and customize brand - new ventilation and purification systems, intelligent temperature and humidity control systems, water supply and drainage systems, etc. for aging laboratories. High - efficiency and energy - saving ventilation equipment and air filtration devices are used to ensure that the air cleanliness of the laboratory meets experimental requirements. Intelligent temperature and humidity sensors are configured to achieve real - time monitoring and automatic adjustment of environmental parameters. Aging pipelines are replaced with new materials that are corrosion - resistant and leak - proof to ensure the stable operation of the water supply and drainage system. Additionally, the Internet of Things (IoT) technology is introduced to connect various devices into an intelligent management system, facilitating remote monitoring and management by laboratory personnel.
(3) Hazard Elimination and Enhanced Safety Protection
In terms of safety renovation, the laboratory is comprehensively upgraded in strict accordance with current fire - fighting and biosafety standards. Fire exits are replanned, and compliant fire - fighting equipment and automatic fire alarm systems are installed. High - performance biosafety cabinets and protective equipment are replaced to strengthen biosafety protection measures. The aging electrical system is completely renovated, using flame - retardant cables and installing leakage protection devices to ensure electrical safety. Furthermore, a sound safety management system and emergency response plans are established. Regular safety training and drills are organized for laboratory personnel to enhance their safety awareness and emergency response capabilities.
(4) Scientific Planning and Strict Control of Schedule and Cost
We formulate detailed renovation plans and adopt a phased construction approach to minimize the impact on scientific research work. During the construction process, project management software is used to monitor the project progress in real - time, and construction plans are adjusted promptly to ensure the timely completion of the renovation project. In terms of cost control, relying on the company's long - term cooperation with high - quality suppliers, we purchase high - quality equipment and materials at preferential prices. By optimizing the design plan, unnecessary project expenses are avoided, achieving effective cost control while ensuring the quality of renovation.
Although the renovation of aging animal laboratories is fraught with difficulties, Guangzhou Cleanroom Construction Co., Ltd. can provide one - stop solutions ranging from assessment and design to construction and acceptance for research institutions, with our professional technical team, rich practical experience, and high - quality products and services. We are committed to overcoming every renovation challenge and creating a safe, comfortable, and efficient experimental space for scientific researchers. If you have renovation requirements for aging animal laboratories, please feel free to contact us. Let's embark on a new journey of laboratory renovation together!
Full-cycle Management of Animal Laboratory Projects: One-stop Solutions from Initiation to Acceptance
In the fields of life science research and biomedicine, animal laboratories, as indispensable scientific research platforms, directly influence the accuracy of experimental data and biosafety. With years of in - depth experience in the purification equipment industry, Guangzhou Cleanroom Construction Co., Ltd. provides full - cycle management services for animal laboratory projects, from initiation to acceptance, with professional technology and rich experience. We are committed to creating safe, efficient, and compliant experimental environments.
I. Initiation Phase: Precise Planning, Laying a Solid Foundation
(I) Requirement Research and Analysis
At the beginning of project initiation, our professional team conducts in - depth research to understand the actual needs of research institutions and enterprises. We comprehensively consider various dimensions, such as the types of experimental animals, experiment categories, and research scale, to accurately determine the functional positioning of the laboratory. For example, for the need to carry out transgenic animal experiments, special protective areas are planned in advance; if microbial experiments are involved, facilities requirements corresponding to the biosafety level are emphasized. Meanwhile, we collect users' expectations regarding experimental procedures, equipment configuration, and personnel operation habits, providing a basis for subsequent design.
(II) Feasibility Study and Budget Preparation
Based on the results of requirement research, we conduct a comprehensive assessment of the project's technical feasibility, economic rationality, and environmental adaptability. Industry experts are invited to analyze whether current technologies can meet the laboratory's functional requirements, ensuring the selected technical solutions are mature and reliable. At the same time, a detailed project budget is prepared, covering all expenses, including construction and decoration, purification equipment, experimental instruments, and personnel training, accurate to each material and service, to avoid project stagnation or quality decline due to insufficient budget in the later stage.
(III) Project Application and Approval
We assist clients in organizing and submitting all necessary documents for project initiation, including project feasibility study reports, environmental impact assessment reports, and biosafety risk assessment reports. Familiar with the approval processes and policy requirements of various regions, we actively communicate and coordinate with relevant departments to accelerate the approval process and ensure the project is successfully initiated.
II. Design Phase: Custom - made, Scientific Layout
(I) Functional Zoning Design
According to experimental procedures and biosafety requirements, functional areas such as animal breeding areas, experimental operation areas, clean areas, and contaminated areas are reasonably divided. Physical isolation and air flow control are adopted to avoid cross - contamination between different areas. For example, a unidirectional air flow design is used to make the air flow from the clean area to the contaminated area, ensuring the safety of the experimental environment. Meanwhile, personnel and logistics channels are optimized to realize the reasonable flow of people, goods, and air, improving experimental efficiency.
(II) Purification System Design
Leveraging the company's advantages in purification equipment production, we customize purification systems for animal laboratories. According to the laboratory's biosafety level and experimental requirements, appropriate air filtration equipment, temperature and humidity control systems, ventilation systems, etc., are selected. For example, in high - level biosafety laboratories, high - efficiency filters are used to ensure that the air cleanliness reaches Class 100 or even higher standards; intelligent temperature and humidity control systems are configured to control the temperature fluctuation within ±1℃ and the humidity between 40% - 60%, providing a stable and comfortable environment for experimental animals.
(III) Intelligent System Design
The concept of intelligent management is introduced to design access control systems, monitoring systems, environmental monitoring systems, equipment management systems, etc. Through the Internet of Things technology, real - time monitoring and remote control of laboratory environmental parameters and equipment operation status are achieved. When parameters such as temperature, humidity, and harmful gas concentration exceed the standard, the system automatically alarms and initiates emergency measures; the access control system can automatically control the access rights of each area according to personnel permissions and experimental arrangements, improving laboratory management efficiency and safety.
III. Construction Phase: Strict Control, Ensuring Quality
(I) Construction Team Formation and Management
A project team composed of professional engineers and construction personnel is formed, and the responsibilities and division of labor of each position are clearly defined. Construction personnel receive pre - job training to ensure they are familiar with construction drawings, technical requirements, and safety specifications. A strict construction management system is established, with the project manager responsible for the overall project. Regular project meetings are held to promptly solve problems that occur during construction, ensuring the construction progress and quality.
(II) Material and Equipment Procurement
Strict control is exercised over the quality of materials and equipment, and high - quality products that meet national standards and industry norms are selected. As a manufacturer of purification equipment, all core purification equipment provided by our company has passed strict testing and has stable and reliable performance. For other purchased materials and equipment, a supplier evaluation system is established to comprehensively evaluate the suppliers' qualifications, product quality, after - sales service, etc., ensuring that the purchased products meet the project requirements.
(III) Construction Quality and Progress Control
During the construction process, operations are carried out strictly in accordance with design drawings and construction specifications, and process quality inspection and acceptance are strengthened. After each construction process is completed, it is inspected by professional quality inspectors, and the next process can only begin after passing the inspection. A progress tracking mechanism is established, and a detailed construction progress plan is formulated. The actual progress is regularly compared with the planned progress, and construction arrangements are adjusted in a timely manner to ensure the project is delivered on time.
IV. Acceptance Phase: Meticulous and Flawless Completion
(I) Internal Pre - acceptance
After the project is completed, our company organizes an internal professional team to conduct a comprehensive pre - acceptance of the project. In accordance with design requirements and acceptance standards, a detailed inspection is carried out on the building decoration, purification system, electrical system, water supply and drainage system, etc. The operation performance of equipment and system functions are tested, and existing problems are identified and rectified in a timely manner.
(II) Third - Party Inspection and Acceptance
A qualified third - party inspection agency is invited to test the laboratory's environmental indicators, biosafety performance, equipment operation parameters, etc. The inspection contents include air cleanliness, temperature and humidity, pressure difference, noise, illuminance, microbial concentration, etc., to ensure that all indicators meet national standards and design requirements. According to the test results, we cooperate with clients to complete the formal acceptance of the project.
(III) Document Handover and Training
Project - related design drawings, construction records, equipment manuals, test reports, and other materials are sorted, archived, and handed over to clients. At the same time, equipment operation and maintenance training is provided to clients to ensure that laboratory staff are familiar with the equipment performance and operation procedures and master daily maintenance and simple troubleshooting methods, providing guarantee for the long - term stable operation of the laboratory.
Guangzhou Cleanroom Construction Co., Ltd. always takes customer needs as the guide. With professional technology, high - quality products, and perfect services, we provide full - cycle management solutions for animal laboratory projects. From initiation to acceptance, every link is carefully controlled, and we are committed to creating safe, efficient, and intelligent animal laboratories. If you have requirements for animal laboratory project construction, please feel free to contact us. We look forward to working with you to create a new future for scientific research!
Integrated Application of Fresh Air System and Purification Equipment in Animal Laboratories
In the operation of animal laboratories, stable and high-quality environmental conditions are crucial to ensure the smooth progress of experiments and the accuracy and reliability of experimental results. The integrated application of fresh air systems and purification equipment in animal laboratories is like creating a precise "ecological balancer" that comprehensively and multi - level optimizes the indoor air environment. Today, Guangzhou Cleanroom Construction Co., Ltd. will take you on an in - depth exploration of this important field.
I. Special Requirements of the Animal Laboratory Environment
In animal laboratories, where animal breeding and experimental operations coexist, the indoor air is highly vulnerable to a variety of pollutants. Carbon dioxide exhaled by animals, ammonia emitted from excreta, dust particles, and microorganisms not only pose a threat to the health of experimental animals, interfere with their physiological functions, and thus affect the accuracy of experimental data, but also pose potential risks to the health of laboratory staff. For example, high concentrations of ammonia can irritate the respiratory tracts of both animals and humans. Long - term exposure to such an environment may lead to respiratory diseases in staff, and animals may also have their physiological states altered, affecting experimental results. Therefore, animal laboratories have extremely stringent requirements for air temperature, humidity, cleanliness, and odor.
II. Fresh Air System: Introducing Fresh Vitality
The fresh air system plays a vital role as the "air introducer" in animal laboratories. Its main function is to introduce outdoor fresh air into the room after a series of treatments while exhausting the polluted indoor air, achieving continuous indoor - outdoor air exchange. Through reasonable design and operation, the fresh air system can accurately control the indoor temperature and humidity. In hot summer, the introduced fresh air can be cooled to bring a cool environment to the laboratory; in dry seasons, it can humidify the fresh air to maintain a suitable humidity level.
In terms of air circulation, the fresh air system ensures that indoor air flows at a scientific velocity and along a reasonable path, avoiding air stagnation areas and ensuring that every corner of the space is adequately ventilated. The air change rate is one of the important indicators for measuring the performance of the fresh air system. For animal laboratories, a relatively high air change rate is usually required, generally 10 - 20 times per hour or even higher, to quickly remove indoor pollutants and ensure air freshness.
III. Purification Equipment: Creating a Pristine Space
Air Filtration Equipment
Air filtration equipment serves as the first line of defense for purifying indoor air. The primary - efficiency filter can intercept large - particle dust, hair, and other impurities in the air; the medium - efficiency filter further filters smaller dust particles; and the high - efficiency filter can capture extremely small microorganisms, dust particles, etc., with a filtration efficiency usually reaching over 99.97% (for particles with a particle size of 0.3 microns). These filters of different grades work in tandem, layer by layer, to build a tight filtration barrier for the laboratory, keeping air pollutants out.
Odor Removal Equipment
Odor removal equipment plays a crucial role in addressing the troublesome odor issues in animal laboratories. Malodorous gases such as ammonia generated from animal excreta not only have an unpleasant smell but also seriously affect the experimental environment. Odor removal equipment employs a variety of technical means such as activated carbon adsorption and chemical decomposition to efficiently remove these malodorous gases. For instance, activated carbon has a large specific surface area and can adsorb a large number of odor molecules; chemical decomposition technology converts malodorous gases into harmless substances through chemical reactions, effectively reducing the indoor odor concentration and creating a fresh air environment for the laboratory.
Sterilization and Disinfection Equipment
Microbial contamination is a major challenge faced by animal laboratories, making sterilization and disinfection equipment indispensable. Common sterilization and disinfection equipment includes ultraviolet germicidal lamps, hydrogen peroxide disinfectors, etc. Ultraviolet germicidal lamps achieve sterilization and disinfection by emitting ultraviolet rays that damage the DNA structure of microorganisms; hydrogen peroxide disinfectors use the strong oxidizing property of hydrogen peroxide to kill microorganisms in the air and on the surface of objects. These devices can regularly disinfect the laboratory air and environment, effectively reducing the risk of microbial contamination and ensuring the safety of experimental animals and experimental results.
IV. Advantages of Integrated Application
Improved Air Quality
The integration of the fresh air system and purification equipment enables comprehensive air purification. The fresh air system introduces fresh air, and the purification equipment filters, deodorizes, sterilizes, and disinfects the air. Working in tandem, they can significantly improve indoor air cleanliness, reduce odor concentration, and decrease the content of microorganisms, providing experimental animals with a living environment almost as fresh as nature and creating a healthy and comfortable working space for staff.
Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection
The integrated system uses intelligent control technology to automatically adjust the fresh air volume and the operating parameters of the purification equipment according to the actual needs of the laboratory. When there are fewer experimental personnel and the indoor air pollutant concentration is low, the system can appropriately reduce the fresh air volume and equipment operating power, reducing energy consumption; when the experiment is busy and more pollutants are generated, it automatically increases the fresh air volume and equipment operating intensity to ensure air quality. This intelligent operation mode achieves the goal of energy conservation and environmental protection while ensuring a good air environment.
Extended Equipment Service Life
Purification equipment will be subject to a certain degree of wear and corrosion during the process of treating air pollutants. The introduction of the fresh air system can conduct preliminary filtration and pretreatment of outdoor air in advance, reducing the amount of pollutants entering the purification equipment, thereby reducing the workload of the purification equipment and extending its service life. For example, the primary - efficiency filter in the fresh air system can first filter out most of the large - particle dust, reducing the filtration pressure on subsequent purification equipment, which extends the maintenance cycle of the entire purification equipment system and reduces equipment replacement and maintenance costs.
V. Solutions of Guangzhou Cleanroom Construction Co., Ltd.
Guangzhou Cleanroom Construction Co., Ltd. has been deeply engaged in the field of purification equipment for many years and has rich experience and advanced technology in the integrated application of fresh air systems and purification equipment in animal laboratories. Our one - stop solutions cover the entire process from system design, equipment selection, installation and commissioning to after - sales service.
During the system design stage, our professional team will thoroughly understand the specific needs of customers, such as laboratory scale, experimental type, and animal breeding conditions. Combining with the building structure and layout of the laboratory, we will carefully design the most suitable fresh air and purification system solutions. We will reasonably configure the fresh air volume and purification equipment according to the functional characteristics of different areas of the laboratory to ensure that each area meets the best air environment standards.
In terms of equipment selection, relying on our strong R & D and production capabilities, we provide customers with high - quality and high - performance fresh air system equipment and purification equipment. Our fresh air system adopts advanced air treatment technology, which can efficiently regulate air temperature, humidity, and flow rate; the purification equipment has efficient filtration, deodorization, and sterilization and disinfection functions, and the equipment operates stably with low noise. At the same time, we have established long - term cooperative relationships with many well - known domestic and foreign brands, enabling us to provide customers with a wide range of equipment options to meet the budgets and needs of different customers.
During the installation and commissioning stage, we have a professional installation team that strictly installs the equipment in accordance with the design plan and construction standards to ensure the installation quality of the system. After installation, we will conduct a comprehensive commissioning and testing of the entire system to ensure that the fresh air system and purification equipment can operate efficiently in coordination, and all performance indicators meet or exceed the design requirements.
In terms of after - sales service, we have established a complete customer service system, providing customers with 24 - hour technical support and after - sales guarantee. We will regularly visit and maintain customers' equipment, promptly solve problems encountered by customers during use, and ensure the long - term stable operation of the equipment. At the same time, we also provide equipment upgrading and transformation services. With the continuous progress of technology and changes in customer needs, we can optimize and upgrade the existing system to keep it always at an advanced performance level and in good operating condition.
The integrated application of fresh air systems and purification equipment in animal laboratories is the key to ensuring the environmental quality of laboratories. Guangzhou Cleanroom Construction Co., Ltd. is willing to use our professional technology, high - quality products, and perfect services to create a safe, comfortable, and efficient animal laboratory environment for customers and contribute to the vigorous development of scientific research. If you have any needs or questions regarding fresh air and purification in animal laboratories, please feel free to contact us. We look forward to working with you to create a better future!
Key Points of Animal Laboratory Engineering Construction under GLP Standards
In many fields such as life sciences and the pharmaceutical industry, animal experiments are crucial for obtaining reliable data and research results. Constructing animal laboratories in accordance with GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) standards is the foundation for ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and reproducibility of experimental data. Guangzhou Cleanroom Construction Co., Ltd., a company specializing in the production of purification equipment, deeply understands the complexity and importance of animal laboratory engineering construction under GLP standards and will analyze the key construction points in detail for you.
1. Site Selection Considerations
According to China's experimental animal management regulations, multiple factors need to be comprehensively weighed when selecting the site for an animal laboratory. It should be far away from noise sources such as factory workshops and busy traffic roads because continuous high - decibel noise can have a negative impact on the physiological and psychological states of experimental animals and interfere with the results of experiments. At the same time, it should be kept away from pollution sources, such as garbage disposal sites and chemical enterprises, to prevent harmful gases, sewage, and other pollutants from contaminating the living environment of experimental animals. From the perspective of wind direction, it needs to be located downwind of the factory area to avoid pollutants from other areas of the factory being blown into the animal laboratory. In addition, setting up a green isolation belt is essential. This can effectively reduce external noise and dust and also play a certain visual isolation role, ensuring that neither the factory area affects the environment of the animal laboratory nor the animal laboratory pollutes the factory area. The experimental animal house should be built in a place with a clean and quiet environment, high and dry terrain, good drainage and ventilation, and guaranteed water and electricity supply. It should also be kept away from factories, bustling residential areas, slaughterhouses, livestock and poultry farms, as well as areas threatened by epidemic sources and public hazards. The animal houses of production and scientific research units should preferably be built independently in a separate area and isolated from other departments.
2. Plane Layout Planning
When designing the plane of a GLP animal house, it is necessary to strictly follow the regulations of GB14925 - 2001 Experimental Animal Environment and Facilities and comprehensively consider the flow directions of people, logistics, and waste. A reasonable flow direction plan can effectively avoid cross - contamination and ensure the health of experimental animals and the smooth progress of experiments. Inside the GLP animal house, the number of experimental rooms should be set reasonably according to the scale of experimental animal breeding and the demand for experimental frequency and quantity, on the premise of ensuring that the room area meets the requirements for carrying out a single safety assessment project. For example, IVC cages can be selected for the breeding rooms. The design unit should reasonably plan the outer protection area, building protection area, and breeding protection area, and coordinate the control routes for personnel, animals, materials, and waste. The size of the cleaning preparation room must be determined according to the space occupied by operation contents and facilities such as disinfection and sterilization devices. Moreover, the cleaning preparation room and the cleaning corridor should be separated from the washing room by walls, and there should be no cracks in the walls.
3. Environmental Control Parameters
1. Temperature and Humidity
The temperature inside the facility should be precisely maintained between 20°C and 26°C, and the daily temperature difference should not exceed 4°C. This is because experimental animals are sensitive to temperature changes. Too high or too low temperatures and large temperature fluctuations may cause disorders in the physiological functions of animals and affect the accuracy of experimental results. The relative humidity needs to be maintained within the range of 40% - 70%. Appropriate humidity can prevent the respiratory mucosa of animals from drying out, reduce the occurrence of respiratory diseases, and also help maintain the normal physiological functions of the animal's body surface.
2. Air Cleanliness and Air Exchange
The environmental cleanliness level of general animal breeding rooms needs to exceed Class 100,000 to meet the requirements of experimental animals. The air exchange rate of the facility is set at 15 - 20 times per hour, and the air flow velocity should not exceed 0.2 meters per second. This can ensure uniform air flow and avoid discomfort to animals caused by direct blowing. Through reasonable air exchange, waste gases such as ammonia and carbon dioxide generated by animals can be timely discharged, and fresh and clean air can be introduced to maintain indoor air quality.
3. Pressure Gradient
The air pressure in the clean area is maintained at positive pressure, and the air pressure in the infected area is maintained at negative pressure to prevent air backflow. Positive pressure can prevent external polluted air from entering the clean area and protect experimental animals; negative pressure can ensure that harmful microorganisms in the infected area do not spread to other areas, safeguarding the safety of the laboratory and the surrounding environment.
4. Lighting and Noise
In terms of lighting, the artificial lighting inside the facility should be maintained within the range of 150 - 300lx to provide suitable brightness for experimental operations and the life of animals. When there are no animals, the noise inside the facility should be controlled between 40 - 50dB, and when there are animals, the noise should not exceed 60dB to reduce interference to animals and avoid the impact of noise stress on experimental results.
4. Enclosure Structure and Decoration
The walls and ceilings of the GLP animal house can be made of color - coated steel plates, special inner arcs, and outer circular columns. This material has good fire - resistance, moisture - resistance, and easy - to - clean properties. The indoor ceiling height is 2.4 meters, which is convenient for equipment installation and daily maintenance. The floor is coated with 2.5 - millimeter - thick epoxy self - leveling paint, which is wear - resistant, corrosion - resistant, and seamless, making it easy to clean and disinfect. The main door is a special purification airtight door equipped with an observation window, which can ensure good airtightness and also facilitate personnel to observe the indoor situation. The inner walls should be smooth, water - resistant, wear - resistant, and resistant to disinfection solution corrosion, and the corners between walls, and between walls and the ceiling or beams should be smooth without sharp edges. Breeding rooms usually do not have external windows, and there are no internal windows between breeding rooms to avoid interference. The doors are preferably made of aluminum alloy airtight doors, and the opening direction must pay attention to the indoor and outdoor pressure differences. For the doors between the barrier and non - barrier areas, devices that prevent opening unless certain conditions are met should be installed.
5. Ventilation and Air - Conditioning System
The GLP animal house adopts a central air - conditioning ventilation system, and the air - conditioning equipment is located between the primary and medium - efficiency filters. A set of unitized units provides uninterrupted air supply and power supply services. The units are equipped with two compressors, one in use and one as a backup, ensuring the stable operation of the system. The air supply outlet is located on the side of the compression device, 0.25 meters above the ground. A reasonable location of the air supply outlet can ensure uniform air flow distribution. In addition, the facility should use an independent and stable power supply system to supply power to the SPF - level animal laboratory and be equipped with an emergency power source to deal with sudden power outages and ensure the stable living environment of experimental animals. In order to ensure the safe operation of the facility, a fan failure alarm system is installed in the control room of the central air - conditioning room to facilitate the timely discovery and handling of equipment failures. The air flow organization of the animal house needs to pay special attention to animal comfort and biosafety. The upper - supply and lower - exhaust method is often used, with air supply outlets evenly arranged above the laboratory and air exhaust outlets located below the laboratory. For laboratories where animals are bred in local ventilation cages, the design of upper - supply, lower - side - exhaust, and exhaust air sandwich walls can be adopted.
6. Other System Configurations
1. Water Supply System
The animal laboratory uses pipeline water supply. Treated pure water is transported to the laboratories in the barrier system through plastic pipes, and water troughs are set up to supply sterilized drinking water and water for use within the barrier system to experimental animals, ensuring the safety of animal drinking water.
2. Monitoring System
Cameras are installed in functional areas such as the entrances and exits, walkways, and laboratory breeding rooms of the laboratory to monitor and observe the laboratory, reducing disturbance to animals. At the same time, it also enables staff to grasp the operation status of the laboratory in real - time and discover abnormalities in a timely manner.
The engineering construction of animal laboratories under GLP standards is a systematic and complex project. Every link is closely connected and related to the success or failure of experiments and the welfare of animals. With a professional technical team and rich industry experience, Guangzhou Cleanroom Construction Co., Ltd. can provide you with high - quality purification equipment and overall solutions to help you build an animal laboratory that meets GLP standards.