Chapter 5 - Construction Guidelines Flashcards
How wide SHOULD corridors be?
Wide enough to facilitate the movement of personnel and equipment. A width of 6 to 8 feet can accommodate most facilities.
What two features are recommended? Why?
Floor-wall junctions to facilitate cleaning. Protective rails or bumpers, sealed to prevent vermin access.
When are double-door entry vestibules recommended?
Corridors leading to high-noise area (dog or swine housing, cage wash), primate housing (escape risk), where directional airflow is critical for containment or protection
Where SHOULD utility access be?
Interstitial space or through panels or chases in corridors outside the animal room.
How SHOULD fire alarms, fire extinguishers, and telephones be protected?
Recessed, installed, high enough, or shielded by protective guards to prevent damage from large equipment.
How large SHOULD doors be?
Large enough to allow easy passage of racks and equipment. Approx. 42x84 in.
Describe door and the frame.
Door SHOULD fit tightly in frame. Both doors and frames SHOULD be appropriately sealed to prevent vermin entry of harborage.
What SHOULD doors be constructed of/coated with? What protective hardware is preferable? What type of stops aid in cleaning?
Materials that resist corrosion. Recessed or shielded handles, sweeps, and kickplates. Hospital or terminated stops.
Which direction SHOULD doors open? If they must open the alternate way, what SHOULD be present?
Should open into animal room. If have to open into a corridor, should be a recessed vestibule.
What SHOULD room doors be equipped with if room-level security is necessary? For personnel safety, doors SHOULD be designed how?
Locks or electronic security devices. Open from inside without a key.
Exterior windows SHOULD be avoided where? Why are windows a risk? When can windows be beneficial?
In animal facilities, particularly in animal rooms. Security risk, problems with temperature control, prevent strict control of the photoperiod. Beneficial enrichment for NHPs.
How SHOULD floors be constructed? What SHOULD floors be resistant to?
Easy to repair and moisture resistant, nonabsorbent, impact resistant, relatively smooth (although textured surfaces may be needed in high-moisture areas of with certain species). Should be resistant to urine and other biologics, hot water, and cleaning agents.
What SHOULD floors be capable of supporting?
Racks, equipment, and stored items without becoming gouged, cracked, or pitted.
What SHOULD be the structure of the floor?
Monolithic, or with a minimal number of joints.
What is needed to ensure the long-term stability of a floor?
Correct installation
If sills are installed at the entrance to a room, how SHOULD they be designed?
To allow for convenient passage of equipment.
When floor drains are used, how SHOULD the floor be sloped and drain traps kept?
Floors sloped and drain traps kept filled with liquid.
To minimize prolonged increases in humidity, what SHOULD drainage allow for?
Rapid removal of water and drying of surfaces
Drainpipes SHOULD be at least how large? In dog kennels and agricultural facilities, what size drainpipes are recommended?
4 in, 6 in
What SHOULD occur when drains are not in use for long periods? Why?
Capped and sealed to prevent backflow of sewer gases, vermin, and other contaminants. Lockable drain covers may be advisable.
Are floor drains essential in all rooms? Why not? What do drains offer?
No. Rodent room floors can be sanitized by wet mopping with appropriate cleaning compounds or disinfectants. Installation of cappable drains offers flexibility for future housing of non-rodent species.
How SHOULD walls and ceilings be constructed?
Smooth, moisture resistant, nonabsorbent, and resistant to damage from impact. Free of cracks, unsealed utility penetrations, and imperfect junctions with doors, ceilings, floors, walls, and corners. Materials SHOULD be capable of withstanding cleaning with detergents and disinfectants and the impact of water under high pressure.
What SHOULD be considered to protect walls and corners from damage?
Curbs, guardrails, or bumpers that are solid or sealed to prevent access and harborage of vermin.
Are ceilings formed by concrete slabs above satisfactory? Are suspended ceilings desirable?
Concrete slabs are satisfactory if they are smooth and sealed or painted. Suspended ceilings generally undesirable in animal holding rooms unless sealed from space above by gaskets and clips. When used, should be fabricated of impervious materials, have a washable surface, and be free of imperfect junction.
Are exposed plumbing, ductwork, and light fixtures desirable?
No, unless the surfaces can be readily cleaned.
What can impact variations in temperature and humidity in an animal holding space?
Changing climate, number and kinds of animals