Caltech Braun Animal Facility Cage Wash Renovation Project

描述(由申请人提供)：本提案寻求资金支持加州理工学院布劳恩老鼠设施(BMF)的笼子清洗区域的重大改造和翻新，包括购买和安装几个主要的固定设备项目。将购买的主要固定设备包括：隧道洗涤器、HEPA过滤床上用品废物站、床上用品分配装置和软水器。需要维修的笼洗区的拟议主要升级工程包括：安装新购买的固定设备；在笼洗设施入口处设立一个气闸/护卫区；将现有的固定设备搬迁到邻近的机械空间，以优化可用的工作空间和改善工作流程；以及进行大规模的天花板工程，包括在2个高压锅上方安装排气天棚，并安装冲水式防潮灯具和隐藏式消防喷头。此外，现有的表面安装的空气供应高效空气过滤器将被重新安装，以便它们被冲洗安装。BMF是一个全屏障设施，88%的加州理工大学调查人员使用动物进行研究，用来安置加州理工大学创造的基因工程小鼠。拟议的升级是必要的，以支持加州理工大学继续进行小灵通支持的生物医学研究。重点是通过维护或改善动物健康和福利，纠正潜在的人类生命安全危险，以及提高劳动力和空间利用效率，确保遵守NRC指南并保持AAALAC认证。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This proposal seeks funding to support major alteration and renovation of the cage wash area in the Braun Mouse Facility (BMF) at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) including purchase and installation of several major fixed equipment items. Major pieces of fixed equipment to be purchased include: a tunnel washer, a HEPA filtered bedding waste station, a bedding dispensing unit, and a water softener. The proposed major upgrades to the cage wash area requiring A&R include: installation of newly purchased fixed equipment; creation of an airlock/gowning area at the cage wash facility entrance; relocation of existing fixed equipment items to adjacent mechnical space to optimize usable work space and improve work flow; and extensive ceiling work including installation of: exhaust air canopies above 2 autoclaves, and flush mounted moisture-proof light fixtures and concealed fire sprinkler heads. In addition, existing air supply HEPA filters which are surface mnounted will be reinstalled so they are flushed mounted. The BMF, a full barrier facility, is used by 88% of Caltech investigators using animals in research, to house genetically engineered mice created at Caltech. The proposed upgrades are necessary to support the continued conduct of PHS supported biomedical research at Caltech. Emphasis is placed on ensuring compliance with the NRC Guide and maintaining AAALAC accreditation through maintaining or improving animal health and welfare, correcting potential human life safety hazards, and improving labor and space utilization efficiency.