IFBA’s Biocontainment Engineering Network

Istanbul. July, 2011K. UgwuCo-chair

IFBA Biocontainment Engineering Working Group

• International non-profit NGO• Working around the world since 2001 to address biological threats and advance biosafety/biosecurity • Advocacy and operational Role

Promoting Biosafety through World-wide Collaboration

International Federation of

Biosafety Associations

IFBA Members & Observers

• Member associations (Biosafety Associations)• Observer organizations (Multilateral organizations, governments, NGOs, Academia)

• Griffin Foundation, US BEP, ICLS, GPP, CDC, Redi Centre, Sandia...

IFBA – Building Biocontainment Capacity

Promoting Biosafety through World-wide Collaboration

Network of Biocontainment Expertise

Biosafety professionals, scientists, lab technicians, academics, architects, engineers, managers, policy makers, …….

Understanding Local Context

• Capacity building in resource-limited countries must be practical, sustainable and based on the needs of the country

IFBA Biosafety Engineering Network

• Identify practical solutions to containment facilities

• Advocacy to include these approaches in international guidelines and best practices

• Mentor those new to the field• Build global capacity• ERG/IFBA/Germfree Sustainable Engineering award

• Build consensus on controversial issues

• Find simple safe and workable solutions for resource establishments Sustainable, practical and local solutions...

Local, Practical, Sustainable

• Cost pressures• Local unavailability of highly

technical equipmentand replacement parts

• Unreliable utilities and fluctuating power supply

• Unfamiliarity of constructing and operating a highly complex BSL3 facility

What are we trying to achieve…

How do we get there?

No “one size fits all” for BSL3 facilities

• apply different approaches and solutions • need careful planning and programming before you start the design process• based on the risk assessment

Why Risk Assessment is Important

Don’t build this…..

Big money….

Why Risk Assessment is Important

When all you need is this …..

Pocket change….

Why Risk Assessment is Important

Do not want to “overdesign” laboratory

• BSL3 containment space is very expensive to build, operate and maintain

• Working at BSL3 is less efficient (protective clothing, entry/exit procedures, medical surveillance)

Why Risk Assessment is Important

Risk Assessment/Lab Programming

• Complete your risk assessment with architects and engineers during Lab Programming

• Answers to these questions will drive the design

• what pathogens• what diagnostic tests• what SOPs• how many samples ....

Building a Biocontainment Lab

Programming the Lab

• Meet with architects and engineers to identify the scientific program requirements for the lab • Conduct risk assessment together• Design a laboratory that meets both the scientific needs and containment requirements• Define architectural and mechanical concepts for the facility

The most important step in the entire process!!Lead to a successful certification…

Programming the Lab

• Zoning approach to containment and security

•Architectural/ mechanical is are not over-designed at BSL2 and support spaces

• Balance between electronic and operational solutions

•Using visual signage vs electonic door interlocks

• Simple architectural solutions•Epoxy-based paint on gympsum board for interior BSL3 walls•Monolithic sheet-vinyl flooring in BSL3 lab areas utilities

• Simple mechanical solutions•Using flow-offset to achieve inward directional airflow•Limiting number of Class IIB2 BSCs

Conceptual design decisions for successful certification!!

International Certification

• No international accredited certification program for biocontainment facilities

• Several national authorities have accredited “certifiers” • Singapore, Canada

International Certification

• No detailed set of international certification criteria to follow

Detailed certification criteria

General certification criteria

??

International Certification

• New set of criteria under development in US

• International applicability?

International Certifiers?

• IFBA Biosafety Professionals Recognition program

• Exploring options for recognizing engineers/architects who design, build, commission and operate biocontainment facilities

• What about certifiers?