University of Louisville

As part of a $26 million contract awarded to Hill International, Inc., CRC was tasked to provide laboratory planning, design consultation and equipment planning for the state-of-the-art two National Biocontainment Laboratories and nine Regional Biocontainment Laboratories. CRC was responsible for participating in the planning and design of all facilities to ensure code and design compliance to all biocontainment regulations including Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, 5th Edition; NIH BSL-3 Certification Requirements and the NIH Design Requirements Manual.

The University of Louisville was one of the Regional Biocontainment Laboratories where CRC provided biosafety expertise. The facility is divided into five core facilities. Each core facility is certified for use with CDC and/or USDA Select Agents. The complex facility is comprised of BSL-2, BSL-3, ABSL-3 laboratories and a vivarium laboratory. Research performed at the facility includes bio-imaging, animal models, microbiology, HT biology, immunology, and pre-clinical research.

Following the closeout of the detailed design phase, University of Louisville awarded CRC a contract to commission/certify their laboratory. WBHT evaluated the Biosafety Policies and Procedures, and filled in gaps as needed, to have the SOPs exceed expectations for the CDC/APHIS Federal Select Agent Program inspection. The laboratory was commissioned/certified by CRC’s engineers to verify that the laboratory’s HVAC worked optimally to the regulations and guidelines as stated in the BMBL and NIH BSL-3 Certification Requirements and Checklist. WBHT conducted directional airflow challenges to address airflow reversals. The operation of the Building Automation System (BAS) was witnessed. HVAC and exhaust systems failure responses were tested. The emergency power system was tested under load conditions and effects on the ventilation system will be recorded. Noise levels were evaluated.

Since building occupancy, CRC has commissioned/certified the BSL-3, ABSL-3, and vivarium laboratories annually.