Improvement to the HVAC System for the 3A Animal Facility at MSU-CVM

描述（由申请人提供）：密西西比州立大学（MSU）被卡内基教学促进基金会评为研究活动非常高的大学。密歇根州立大学是该州唯一一所拥有这种荣誉的学校，也是全国仅有的108所学校之一。在2013财年，该大学获得了1.14亿美元的外部研究资金。密西西比州立大学在兽医学院（CVM）内设有一个单一核心的、经AAALAC认证的实验室动物（啮齿动物/家兔）饲养设施。该设施服务于CVM和MSU的生物医学研究需求。1985年的设施没有在高峰期使用，但确实提供了动物住房和技术空间，以满足18名研究人员的需求，这些研究人员要么是机构，要么是内部资助的。一台使用28年的空气处理装置（AHU）提供了机械基础，以确保该机构饲养的研究动物符合实验动物护理和使用指南（指南）的环境条件。AHU的功能寿命即将结束。对每小时换气次数、温度和湿度水平的分析表明，经常偏离设定点和规定范围。本提案资助的设备将为研究动物提供必要和必需的室内环境标准。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Mississippi State University (MSU) is ranked by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a very high research activity university. MSU is the only school in the state with this distinction, and one of only 108 nationwide. In FY 2013, the university secured $114 million in external research funding. Mississippi State University maintains a single core, AAALAC accredited, laboratory animal (rodent/rabbit) housing facility located within the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM). This facility services the biomedical research needs of both CVM and MSU. The 1985-era facility is not utilized at peak capacity but does provide animal housing and techniques space to meet the needs of 18 researchers who are either agency or internally funded. A single, 28 year old, air handling unit (AHU) provides the mechanical basis for ensuring Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide) compliant environmental conditions for research animals housed in this facility. The AHU is at the end of its functional lifespan. Analyses of air changes/hour, temperature and humidity levels show frequent straying from set points and regulatory ranges. Equipment funded by this proposal will provide the necessary and required indoor environmental standards for research animals.