CAGE WASH RENOVATION

描述(由申请人提供)：这个项目的总体目标是在乔治敦大学比较医学部提供笼子清洗翻新。50,740平方英尺英国《金融时报》动物设施拥有12种实验动物，用于82个基础和翻译研究项目。专用笼洗通风系统的设计、使用年限和状况，以及陈旧的笼洗设备，推动了翻新的需要。目前的高压和排气装置没有保持适当的环境空间条件，运行能力低于设计能力。需要冷凝泵来支持房间湿度控制。已有23年历史的隧道和笼式垫圈已达到使用寿命，需要更换。赠款将在笼式清洗设施上方的机械间隙空间购买和安装一台暖通空调机组、一台排气扇和冷凝泵；并为隧道清洗机的费用做出贡献。该大学将继续通过购买笼式洗衣机和分担隧道洗衣机的费用来支持动物资源。新的暖通空调设备对于保持适当的空气平衡、提供适当的温度/湿度控制以及提高排气量和设备寿命至关重要。有效的笼式垫圈可提供所需的设备卫生。这项改造将保障动物健康，改善工作人员的工作场所环境条件，并保持机构遵守《实验动物使用指南》、美国实验动物护理评估与认可协会的认可标准和美国农业部法规中的建议。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The general objective of this project is to provide cage wash renovations in the Division of Comparative Medicine at Georgetown University. The 50,740 sq. ft. animal facility houses twelve species of laboratory animals used in 82 basic and translational research programs. The design, age and condition of the dedicated cage wash ventilation system, and antiquated cage wash equipment, drive the need for renovation. The current HV and exhaust units do not maintain proper environmental space conditions and are functioning below design capacity. A condensate pump is required to support room humidity control. The 23 year old tunnel and cage washers have reached the end of their useful life and require replacement. The grant will purchase and install a HVAC unit, an exhaust fan, and condensate pump in the mechanical interstitial space above the cage wash facility; and contribute to the cost of a tunnel washer. The University will continue to support the animal resource by purchasing the cage washer and sharing in the cost of the tunnel washer. New HVAC equipment is essential to maintain proper air balancing, provide appropriate temperature/humidity controls, and improve exhaust capacity and equipment longevity. Effective cage washers provide required equipment sanitation. This renovation will safeguard animal health, improve workplace environmental conditions for personnel, and maintain institutional compliance with recommendations in the Guide for the Care of Use of Laboratory Animals, the accreditation standards of the American Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, and the United States Department of Agriculture regulations.