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The Development of Science-Based Guidelines for Laboratory Animal Care: Proceedings of the November 2003 International Workshop
Environmental Controls (US Guidance)
Bernard Blazewicz and Dan Frasier
CURRENT US GUIDANCE
Current guidance regarding environmental conditions for vivariums is primarily found in industry and government publications. The most widely accepted publication and the primary reference on animal care and use is the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the Guide), published by the National Research Council (NRC 1996). Other pertinent references include the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE 2003), the National Institutes of Health Design Policy and Guidelines (NIH 1999), the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (CDC/NIH 1999), and the US Department of Agriculture ARS 242.1M (USDA 2002).
The Guide places emphasis on performance standards, as opposed to engineering standards, for environmental control. Performance standards are viewed to be more flexible and more concerned with the outcomes than engineering criteria.
To apply the Guide effectively, a team approach is recommended whereby facility users and designers can share expertise to meet desired outcomes. The Guide is not a how-to-build handbook on vivarium design; it provides broad recommendations for environmental conditions that have proven to work well. Individuals responsible for well-designed facilities begin with a thorough understanding of the scientific needs, and
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