Protection standards for level 3 and level 4 biosafety animal laboratories

Animal Facilities - Biosafety Level 3

Animal facilities at Biosafety Level 3 are for animals specifically inoculated with Hazard Level 3 microorganisms, or as determined by the results of a hazard assessment. All systems, operations and procedures require annual re-inspection and certification. The following safety precautions are required:

1. All requirements for Biosafety Level 1 and 2 animal facilities must be met.

2. Access must be strictly controlled.

3. The facility must be separated from the rest of the laboratory and the animal room by a buffer zone consisting of a double door entrance.

4. Hand washing facilities must be provided in the buffer zone.

5. Shower facilities must be provided in the buffer zone.

6. Mechanical ventilation must be used to ensure continuous airflow through each room. Indoor air must be hepa filtered before being exhausted to the outside and must not be recycled. The system must be designed to prevent accidental backflow and positive pressure in the animal room.

(Figure 1: Level 3 biosafety animal laboratory)

7. Autoclaves must be installed in convenient locations in animal rooms where biological hazards exist. Infectious waste must be autoclaved before being moved to other areas of the facility.

8. An incinerator should be available nearby on site, or otherwise arranged by the competent authority.

9. Animals that are infected with dangerous level 3 microorganisms must be kept in cages or in rooms with Ventilation system exhaust vents behind the cages.

10. Bedding should be as dust-free as possible.

11. All protective clothing must be decontaminated before washing.

12. Windows must be closed, sealed, and resistant to damage.

13. Staff should be properly vaccinated.

Animal facilities - Biosafety Level 4

Normally, work in such facilities is related to work in the highest containment laboratory of Biosafety Level 4, and national and local regulations and regulations must be coordinated to apply to both laboratories. When working in protective clothing laboratories, in addition to the requirements described here, other regulations should be met.

1. All requirements for animal facilities at Biosafety Levels 1, 2, and 3 must be met.

2. Access is strictly restricted and only staff designated by the director have the right to enter.

3. Solo work is prohibited and a two-person work system must be observed.

4. Staff must have received the highest level of microbiology training and be familiar with the hazards involved in their work and the necessary precautions.

5. Areas where animals with risk-level 4 microbial factors are kept must comply with the protection standards of the highest protection laboratory at the level 4 biosafety level.

6. Access to the facility must be through an airlock buffer room, and the clean side and restricted side of the airlock buffer room must be separated by a dressing room and shower.

7. When entering the facility, staff must take off their daily clothes and put on special protective clothing. After work, they must take off their protective clothing for autoclaving and shower before leaving.

8. The facility must be equipped with an exhaust system with a hepa filter for ventilation to ensure negative pressure (inward airflow) in the room.

(Figure 2: Level 4 Biosafety Animal Laboratory)

9. The ventilation system must be able to prevent gas backflow and positive pressure.

10. A double-door autoclave must be equipped to transfer items, with the clean end in the room outside the protective room.

11. A transfer airlock must be equipped for transferring items that cannot be sterilized by autoclave, and its cleanliness must be in a room outside the protective room.

12. When operating animals with level 4 microorganisms, they must be carried out in the highest protection laboratory of level 4 biosafety level.

13. All animals must be kept in isolators.

14. All bedding and waste must be autoclaved before being removed from the facility.

15. Staff must be under medical monitoring.

Related Information

1. What is the difference between BSL-3 and BSL-4 labs?

Users often want to understand the key differences between these two biosafety levels, including the types of pathogens handled, the lab design, and the safety precautions for each.

2. What are the primary safety protocols for BSL-3 and BSL-4 animal labs?

People are interested in learning about the strict safety measures in place for BSL-3 and BSL-4 labs, including personal protective equipment (PPE), containment procedures, and protocols for handling dangerous biological agents.

3. What pathogens are handled in BSL-3 and BSL-4 laboratories?

Users seek to understand which specific types of pathogens are typically worked with in BSL-3 and BSL-4 labs, such as viruses, bacteria, and other dangerous organisms that require these high containment levels.

4. What are the facility design requirements for BSL-3 and BSL-4 labs?

People are often curious about the physical design features that make these labs secure, such as air filtration, negative pressure systems, and isolation protocols to prevent cross-contamination.

5. What kind of protective equipment is required for BSL-3 and BSL-4 labs?

This question focuses on the personal protective equipment (PPE) required in these high-containment labs, such as full-body suits, respirators, gloves, and other specialized gear necessary to protect researchers and the environment.

6. How are BSL-3 and BSL-4 laboratories ventilated?

Users want to know how these labs manage ventilation and air flow to maintain negative pressure and ensure that air is filtered to prevent any contamination from escaping the laboratory.

7. What are the decontamination procedures for BSL-3 and BSL-4 labs?

This question involves understanding how biological materials, surfaces, and waste are properly decontaminated in BSL-3 and BSL-4 labs, including the use of autoclaves, chemical disinfectants, and other sterilization methods.

8. What are the emergency protocols for BSL-3 and BSL-4 labs?

Users want to know the protocols in place for emergencies, such as an accidental exposure, breach, or spill, including how staff is trained to respond to such incidents and mitigate risks.

9. What is the process for gaining approval to work in a BSL-3 or BSL-4 lab?

People may ask about the qualifications and approval process for researchers and staff who wish to work in these high-containment labs, including training, certifications, and institutional review boards (IRBs).

10. What are the regulatory and certification standards for BSL-3 and BSL-4 labs?

This question focuses on the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern BSL-3 and BSL-4 labs, such as the CDC, WHO, and NIH guidelines, as well as international standards like those set by the World Health Organization (WHO) or the National Institutes of Health (NIH).