Rack washer replacement at the Salk Institute

 索尔克生物研究所是一家非营利性研究机构，致力于在生命科学，人类健康的改善和未来几代研究人员的培训作出基本发现。Salk可以说是世界上最高水平的研究机构之一，处于新发现的最前沿。该研究所在客观衡量教师的贡献及其研究成果的影响方面一直位居领先的研究机构之列。动物资源部支持47索尔克教师和他们的学生，访问科学家，研究员和研究人员的教学和研究。ARD目前经营超过45，000平方英尺的饲养场空间，并为所有动物提供饲养和兽医服务（VS）。该研究所在支持动物设施和ARD运营方面有着良好的记录。该机构对高水平动物护理的承诺体现在其动物计划，设施和人力资源的广泛投资上，这些都得到了AAALAC认证的认可。最近，该研究所赞助了几个项目，包括安装新的空气处理装置，自动床上用品分配器，改造笼洗机械空间，以及针对非生物啮齿动物和行为测试的新核心举措。癌症研究动物设施（CRAF）最初建于1978年，支持多种实验动物，包括美国农业部在索尔克的所有物种。CRAF cagewash还在校园内维持6个关键的卫星动物设施。CRAF支持系统神经科学，免疫生物学和微生物发病机制，干细胞生物学，行为科学和代谢研究的首要研究社区。一项以动态大脑为中心的新科学计划已经扩大了对大型动物种群的需求，现在包括一个绒猴繁殖和研究群体。CRAF机架清洗设备已超过其预期生命周期终点，需要更换，原因是多处泄漏导致积水、冷凝水、混凝土损坏、油漆剥落、未密封的地板上有麻点和瓷砖开裂、温度调节不一致、设备故障导致走廊中存放过多的污染动物笼。本申请中提出的改造将对CRAF的日常运营产生重大影响，为CRAF和卫星动物设施提供持续支持。改造的范围包括演示现有的洗架机设备，减轻下部结构损坏和安装新的洗架机。我们精心挑选了占地面积相似的设备，以尽量减少与拆除和新建相关的费用。这些必要的设施改进旨在确保有效和常规的卫生，最大限度地减少设施污染的风险，同时确保工作场所的安全，保持26索尔克研究所教师和291研究支持人员的进步研究计划的完整性，并确保继续遵守监管和指南标准。所选的Better Built装置提供了一个改善资源消耗的机会，通过增加冷水填充（CWF），两个冲洗罐（RT，RT）和一个安装在洗衣机侧面的化学清洗水储存罐（CT）。此选项可最大限度地节省每个循环的运行成本，并节约水和能源。具体来说，这为我们提供了在排水冷却期间100%减少冷水使用的潜力，在填充期间100%减少热水使用，化学品消耗减少62%以上，蒸汽消耗减少30%以上，相当于每个循环成本节省约82%。需要提供支持，以资助CRAF改进手术设备，继续保持高质量和高标准的护理，同时满足所有监管和指南要求。CRAF旨在满足许多不同的研究需求，并为研究人员提供在校园其他设施中无法进行的独特活动的机会。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is a non-profit research institution devoted to making fundamental discoveries in the life sciences, the improvement of human health and the training of future generations of researchers. Salk is arguably one of the highest caliber research organizations in the world and is at the forefront of novel discoveries. The Institute consistently ranks among the leading research institutions in objective measures of the contributions of faculty and the impact of their findings. The Animal Resources Department supports the teaching and research of 47 Salk faculty and their students, visiting scientists, fellows, and research staff. ARD currently operates over 45,000ft2 of vivarium space and provides husbandry and Veterinary Services (VS) to all animals. The Institute has a strong track record of support for the animal facilities and ARD operations. The commitment of the Institution to the high level of animal care is exemplified by the extensive investments in its animal program, the facilities, and human resources which were recognized by AAALAC accreditation. Recently, the Institute sponsored several projects including the installation of new air handling units, an automated bedding dispenser, renovations of the cagewash mechanical space, and new core initiatives for gnotobiotic rodents and behavioral testing. The Cancer Research Animal Facility (CRAF) was originally built in 1978 and supports multiple species of laboratory animals, including all USDA covered species at Salk. CRAF cagewash also sustains 6 key satellite animal facilities on campus. The CRAF supports a premier research community of systems neuroscience, immunobiology and microbial pathogenesis, stem cell biology, behavioral science, and metabolic research. A new scientific initiative centered on the dynamic brain has expanded the needs of the large animal population to now include a marmoset breeding and research colony. The CRAF rack wash equipment is past the end of its expected lifecycle and in need of replacement due to multiple leaks causing standing water, condensate, damage to the concrete, peeling paint, unsealed floor with pock marks and cracked tile, inconsistencies in temperature regulation, equipment failure leading to excess storage of soiled animal caging in the hallway. The renovations proposed in this application will have significant impact on the day-to-day operations within CRAF to provide continued support to CRAF and satellite animal facilities. The scope of the renovation includes demo of exiting rack washer equipment, mitigation of substructure damage and installation of a new rack washer. We carefully selected equipment having similar footprints to minimize expenses related to demolition and new construction. These necessary facility improvements are designed to ensure effective and routine sanitation, minimize risks of facility contamination while ensuring workplace safety, maintain the integrity of the progressive research programs of 26 Salk Institute faculty and 291 research support staff and ensure continued compliance with regulatory and Guide standards. The selected Better Built unit offers an opportunity to improve resource consumption by adding a Cold Water Fill (CWF) with two rinse tanks (RT,RT) plus one chemical wash water storage tank (CT) mounted to the side of the washer. This option provides the greatest operating cost savings per cycle and conserves water and energy. Specifically, this provides us with the potential for 100% reduction of cold water used during drain cool down, 100% reduction of hot water used during filling, more than 62% reduction in chemical consumption, more than 30% reduction in steam consumption, equating to an approximate 82% per Cycle Cost Savings. Support is needed to fund CRAF improvements in operational equipment to continue to maintain the high quality and standard of care while meeting all regulatory and Guide requirements. The CRAF was designed to meet many diverse research needs and offers researchers opportunities to conduct unique activities not possible in other facilities on campus.