Facility design considerations for select agent animal research

The events of September 11, 2001, have piqued US interest and investment in infectious disease research and the facilities that support the research. Since 1999, federal grants for biosafety level (BSL)-3, -3 agricultural (Ag), and -4 research have increased by more than 900%--to 13.1B dollars in the fiscal years 2002 to 2004 compared with 1.2B dollars from 1999 to 2001. This dramatic growth has forced experienced professionals from government agencies, universities, industry, design firms, commissioning firms, and contractors to work together to construct buildings that meet the demanding and unique needs of the research. This discussion pertains primarily to select agent research and provides (1) an overview of the guidelines and standards pertinent to the design and construction of biocontainment research facilities using animals, (2) design considerations appropriate for these facilities, (3) special requirements associated with BSL-3Ag agricultural research, and (4) information to prepare for the use of a state-of-the-art infectious disease research facility.