The Challenge

Not only is the East Baltimore campus expansive, there are numerous specialized high-containment laboratories. Each requires specific expertise to inspect and maintain the facilities for continuous safe operations. Among the types of research laboratories at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions are BSL-3, ABSL-3, Vivaria, and ACL-3 (Insectary). Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions is committed to proactively nurturing a workplace culture that places the well-being of its staff and the integrity of its operations at the forefront. To demonstrate such commitment, the Department of Genetic Medicine requires annual third-party recertification services for a BSL-3/ABSL-3 laboratory.

The Solution

World BioHazTec proposed that Johns Hopkins Medical School verify safety compliance of their BSL-3/ABSL-3 laboratory annually to ensure compliance from the engineering perspective of the regulatory guidelines and standards. This included a physical inspection of the facilities, identifying safety hazards and areas of non-compliance. In addition, testing of spatial pressure relationships and directional airflow challenges, the Building Automation System, HVAC failure responses, emergency power system, differential pressure monitors, and mechanical equipment operation was conducted by World BioHazTec to remediate any facility issues and offer quality improvements and suggestions .

The Result

Since 2016, World BioHazTec has been dedicated to providing annual certification services and validation testing for the BSL-3/ABSL-3 systems at the facility. Our services align with the stringent standards outlined by authoritative bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The primary objective is to create a secure environment that allows for the safe conduct of research while effectively containing infectious agents. Through our annual certification services and validation testing, World BioHazTec ensures that the facility consistently meets and exceeds the prescribed standards.