There is a dedicated supply and a triple HEPA filtered exhaust air handling system. All solid and liquid waste (with the exception of the shower liquid waste) is autoclaved before it leaves the laboratory. The laboratory has a high specification pass through autoclave with two interlocked doors that cannot be opened at the same time. Contaminated waste is placed in the autoclave through the door on the laboratory side. Following a successful autoclave run, the sterilised load can be removed from the “clean” side of the autoclave located adjacent to the outside corridor. This door can only be opened when the load is sterile. Within the laboratory suite there is a push button shower unit delivering mixed hot/ cold water over a 30 second period. The sloped floor beneath funnels wastewater through a single point via a foul air trap into a heated holding tank below. The waste is heated for >80oC for one hour to ensure pathogen inactivation before being discarded. A damp detection mat was fitted beneath the holding tank a signal is passed to the BMS if a leak is identified. A privacy lock mechanism is connected for when the shower is in use. The laboratory will generally function at BL3, however, if increased level of containment is required it will function at BL3 (+). When laboratory personal will have to shower on every occasion when exiting the laboratory. A number of features were included to increase the specification of the BL3 design. The laboratory Cylon based BMS system enables full monitoring of the BL3 operating conditions and interfaces with the University BMS. Many critical modules are connected to the BMS and appropriate alarms and responses have been agreed to ensure the containment laboratory remains a safe and contained environment at all times. A radio controlled temperature monitoring system has been installed on all temperature controlled instruments within the laboratory and will be connected to the BMS and UCD services will be responsible for alerting NVRL personnel of any equipment failures outside of normal working hours. The suite is equipped with dedicated equipment, which has been fully validated at commissioning. Maintenance contracts and back up services are provided in case of equipment failure. The is a UPS which can power the laboratory when there is site power cut which enables essential work to be completed and the laboratory to have a controlled shut down. A high level of training and skill is required for working within the suite and only personnel competent in all procedures have access rights to the suite. A series of Standard Operating Procedures are in place governing every aspect of the laboratory function. Critical emergency response procedures are clearly displayed within the laboratory; in addition BL3 personnel are trained to deal with biohazard spill incidents. Personal safety is crucial in the laboratory. Ideally personnel should not work in the suite alone. Security mechanisms have been installed to safeguard personnel, e.g. a combined tilt and personal attack alarm is has a local beacon and also linked to the BMS Page 1 2