HVAC Improvements to Expand Research Capabilities at Colorado State University

项目摘要。该提案要求资金购买更新的空气处理机组 (AHU) 尺寸约为 13,500 cfm，以保持适当的温度和气压差 配备湿度、楼宇自动化系统和排气扇，取代了 25 年以上的旧设备 科罗拉多州立大学病理学动物园不再可用。病理学 viviarium 目前拥有科罗拉多州立大学的无特定病原体 (SPF) 猫群和数量适中的猫 用于朊病毒研究的小鼠笼子。此次升级为我们提供了极大的机会 在我们现有的动物设施内扩大我们的住房能力和动物手术空间。 具体来说，朊病毒研究中心（PRC）的动物模型核心将被整合为 病理学动物园以及 SPF 猫群。中国目前将动物关押在 主要的动物饲养设施、画家中心和病理学动物园。超过 过去三年，中国的动物普查数量增加了四倍。这种快速增长已经 对画家中心的持有能力施加限制。然而我们却一直不甘心 由于机械问题，将动物重新安置到病理学动物园的可用空间 超过当前的空气处理机组。两年来已接到40多个服务电话 科罗拉多州立大学设施管理部门解决无法维持适当设施等问题 温度，无法维持适当的气流，以及无法维持适当的气流 用于 SPF 猫群生物安全的压差和用于朊病毒研究的生物防护； 机械评估发现了许多问题。升级 AHU 将提供 稳定的环境控制，以适当地容纳更多的动物。巩固中华人民共和国 病理学动物园的动物模型核心将是其现有住房的两倍以上 操纵空间。此外，它将腾出画家中心的空间，这可能是 改变用途。目前在生物防护之外只有两个手术室 调查员使用。通过将朊病毒使用者转移到病理学动物园，我们可以致力于 额外的三个房间用于处理空间，并为以下动物创造额外的动物饲养空间 目前，新招聘的教师。该提案将使所有 53 名主要研究者受益 来自 12 个学术部门，目前提供超过 1.54 亿美元的校外拨款支持，包括 五名来自中国的教员（目前总资金为 1650 万美元）。因为 大学专注于传染病、癌症和其他生物医学研究项目，这 该项目将加强为造福动物和人类健康而进行的大量研究。 与支持最先进技术的开发和维护的强大记录一致 动物设施，研究副总裁，兽医学院院长 医学与生物医学科学，微生物学、免疫学系系主任 病理学和病理学都热情支持这一提议。现代 AHU 还将 提供大量的能源节约。施工管理将考虑 由 LEED 认证设施专业项目经理指导的可持续概念。

Project Abstract. This proposal requests funds to acquire an updated air handling unit (AHU) sized approximately 13,500 cfm to maintain proper temperature and air pressure differentials with humidity, building automation system, and exhaust fans replacing a >25 year old unit that is no longer serviceable for the Pathology vivarium at Colorado State University. The Pathology viviarium currently houses CSU's specific pathogen free (SPF) cat colony and a modest number of mouse cages used in prion research. This upgrade provides us the opportunity to vastly expand our housing capabilities and animal procedure space within our existing animal facilities. Specifically, the animal model core of the Prion Research Center (PRC) will be consolidated into the Pathology vivarium along with the SPF cat colony. The PRC currently has animals held in both the main animal holding facility, the Painter Center, and the Pathology vivarium. Over the past three years, the PRC has seen a 4-fold increase in animal census. This rapid growth has put constraints on the Painter Center holding capabilities. However, we have been reluctant to relocate animals to the available space in the Pathology vivarium due to mechanical concerns over the current air handling unit. There have been over 40 service calls the past two years to CSU Facilities Management to address concerns such as inability to maintain the appropriate temperature, inability to maintain appropriate airflow, and inability to maintain appropriate pressure differentials for biosecurity of the SPF cat colony and biocontainment for prion studies; and a mechanical assessment identified numerous concerns. Upgrading the AHU would provide stable environmental controls to appropriately house additional animals. Consolidating the PRC animal model core to the Pathology vivarium will more than double their existing housing and manipulation space. Furthermore, it will vacate space in the Painter Center which could be repurposed. There are currently only two procedure rooms outside of biocontainment for investigator use. By moving the prion users to the Pathology vivarium we can dedicate an additional three rooms to procedure space, as well as create additional animal holding space for current, new faculty recruits. This proposal will benefit all of the 53 principal investigators from12 academic departments with over $154M in current extramural grant support, including five faculty members from the PRC ($16.5M in current total funding). Because of the University's focus on infectious disease, cancer, and other biomedical research initiatives, this project will enhance a large portfolio of studies conducted to benefit animal and human health. Consistent with a strong record of support for development and maintenance of state of the art animal facilities, the Vice President for Research, the Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, the Chair of the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology have all enthusiastically supported this proposal. A modern AHU will also provide substantial energy savings. Construction will be managed with consideration for sustainable concepts directed by a LEED Accredited Facilities Professional Project Manager.