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Success Stories

National Institutes of Health, Integrated Research Facility, Fort Detrick, Maryland

Certification Commissioning Construction Design Review

The Integrated Research Facility (IRF) at Fort Detrick in Maryland was created to manage, coordinate, and facilitate the conduct of research on emerging infectious disease and biodefense pathogens to develop medical countermeasures and improve medical outcomes for patients. The facility features BSL-2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 biological containment laboratories, with unique aerobiology and BSL-4 imaging. The facility has 32,000 square feet of laboratory space, including an 11,000 square foot BSL-3/ABSL-4 laboratory and a 21,000 square foot BSL-2 laboratory space. This is the first BSL-4/ABSL-4 facility designed to contain MRI imaging technologies within containment space and the fifth operational BSL-4/ABSL-4 laboratory suite in the US.

exterior of the National Institute of Health building
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The Challenge

In collaboration with the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the Department of the Army, World BioHazTec’s professionals provided consulting services on the design, construction, and commissioning and certification of the IRF at Fort Detrick, MD. Located on the National Interagency Biodefense Campus at Fort Detrick, the design of the facility required compliance with the Department of Army standards and regulations. The project was part of the U.S. Army Garrison Commander’s focal point for providing sustainable operations support and environmental stewardship to provide vital public health interests. Biodefense research commenced at the facility in 2013. IRF contains BSL-2, BSL-3, ABSL-3, and BSL-4, Vivarium, and an Imaging Suite for research on viruses, such as those causing high-consequence disease (e.g., Ebola virus and SARS-CoV-2) and many other viruses included on the NIAID Priority Pathogens list.

Incorporation and use of MRI equipment in maximum containment presented a unique set of challenges. Locating imaging equipment inside high-containment would subject the imaging device to decontamination procedures which could increase the risk of damage. Frequent maintenance of imaging equipment is often necessary and requiring service engineers to enter BSL-4 areas was not an option.

The Solution

Our professionals served as the biocontainment subject matter expert representative for the NIH, Division of Occupational Health and Safety. World BioHazTec was tasked to provide consultation on the detailed design (15%, 35%, 65% and 95% architectural and engineering drawings and specifications) to meet all biocontainment regulations. Through periodic site construction assessments, we evaluated the high-containment and maximum-containment laboratories’ ability to be validated. World BioHazTec attended progress meetings and served as an Owner’s Advocate on behalf of NIH.

While commissioning testing was conducted, we witnessed the testing to verify if the results would meet biocontainment regulations and standards. We conducted a precertification test to ensure that the HVAC failure scenarios ran per design.

To meet the challenge of locating imaging equipment in the BSL-4 suite, the equipment was reconfigured, leaving only the bare minimum of components within the BSL-4 laboratory and developing an extension of the BSL-4 laboratory that protrudes into the bore of each machine. The bulk of the imaging equipment was placed outside the BSL-4 suite. As a result, routine maintenance of the imaging equipment can be conducted without the necessity of personnel entering the BSL-4.

The Result

The IRF was commissioned in 2013 and has continued successful operation. In conjunction with the NIH, Division of Occupational Health and Safety, World BioHazTec’s professionals coordinated and conducted annual certification. Pressure decay testing was also conducted quarterly for specific quadrants.

The IRF Operations and Maintenance Personnel were provided annual training by World BioHazTec’s professionals that addresses BSL-4 design, certification, and preventative maintenance.


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IACET Accredited Provider logo

World BioHazTec is an Accredited Provider (AP) of the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). As an IACET Accredited Provider, World BioHazTec offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Information.

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Accredited Auditing Organization

World BioHazTec is recognized under the Auditing Organisation (AO) scheme by the Singapore Accreditation Council (SAC) to perform the following services:
• Certification of BSL-2, BSL-3, and ABSL-3 facilities worldwide*
• Engineering Verification
• Gap Analysis
*For BSL-3/ABSL-3 facilities in Singapore, World BioHazTec is the Auditing Organization, accredited by the SAC.

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 NightHawk Biosciences, Research Triangle Park, North CarolinaNational Institutes of Health, Maryland, Special Clinical Studies Unit 
Association for Public Health Laboratories 2024 - 2025 Sustaining Member
+1 (877) 425-8500
[email protected]
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Policy of Impartiality: World BioHazTec conducts all services with independence, objectivity, and integrity. We are committed to impartiality and ensure our decisions are free from conflicts of interest.

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