Basic Documentation

Biological Laboratories
Siemens Industry, Inc. 61
Topic Requirement(s) Commentary
Biosafety
Level 4
ASHRAE, 2011 Handbook - HVAC Applications, Laboratories, Pg. 16.17,
Containment Laboratories:
Biosafety Level 4 is required for work with dangerous and exotic agents that pose a
high risk of aerosol transmitted laboratory infections and life-threatening disease.
U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention publication: Biosafety in Microbiology and Biomedical Laboratories,
(BMBL) 5th edition 2009:
Biosafety Level 4 is required for work with dangerous and exotic agents that pose a
high individual risk of aerosol-transmitted laboratory infections and life-threatening
disease that is frequently fatal, for which there are no vaccines or treatments, or a
related agent with unknown risk of transmission
There are two models for BSL-4 laboratories: BSL-4 cabinet and suit laboratories
have special engineering and design features to prevent microorganisms from being
disseminated into the environment.
1. Cabinet Laboratory- The BSL-4 cabinet laboratory consists of either a separate
building or a clearly demarcated and isolated zone within a building. Laboratory doors
must have locks in accordance with the institutional policies. Manipulation of agents
must be performed in a Class III BSC.
Rooms in the facility must be arranged to ensure sequential passage through an
inner (dirty) changing area, a personal shower and an outer (clean) change room
upon exiting the room(s) containing the Class III BSC(s).
If Class II BSCs are needed
in the cabinet laboratory, they must be installed so that fluctuations of the room air
supply and exhaust do not interfere with proper operations. Class II cabinets should
be located away from doors, heavily traveled laboratory areas, and other possible
airflow disruptions. All penetrations in the internal shell of the laboratory and inner
change room must be sealed and doors equipped with gaskets.
An automatically activated emergency power source must be provided at a minimum
for the laboratory exhaust system, life support systems, alarms, lighting, entry and
exit controls, BSCs, and door gaskets. Monitoring and control systems for air supply,
exhaust, life support, alarms, entry and exit controls, and security systems should be
on an uninterrupted power supply (UPS).
2. Suit Laboratory The BSL-4 suit laboratory consists of either a separate building or
a clearly demarcated and isolated zone within a building. Laboratory doors must have
locks in accordance with the institutional policies. Rooms in the facility must be
arranged to ensure exit by sequential passage through the chemical shower, inner
(dirty) change room, personal shower, and outer (clean) changing area.-Personnel
must wear a positive pressure supplied air protective suit.
All manipulations of infectious agents must be performed within a BSC or other
primary barrier system. An automatically activated emergency power source must be
provided, at a minimum, for the laboratory exhaust system, life support systems,
alarms, lighting, entry and exit controls, BSCs, and door gaskets
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BSL 4 laboratories are extremely rare. These
are very special facilities.
Level 4 laboratories are extremely
sophisticated facilities in terms of the physical
layout, the types systems required, assurance
of performance, and failure modes.