Construction norms and technical standards for SPF-grade experimental animal houses

With the in-depth development of biomedical research, SPF (Specific Pathogen Free) animal facilities have become the core supporting platform for life sciences, new drug development, and vaccine evaluation. As a highly clean barrier environment facility, SPF animal facilities ensure that experimental animals are free from specific pathogen interference by strictly controlling environmental parameters such as microorganisms, temperature and humidity, and pressure difference, thereby guaranteeing the scientific nature and reproducibility of experimental data. Its construction needs to integrate multidisciplinary technologies such as architecture, microbiology, and environmental engineering, strictly follow the latest national standards (such as GB 14925-2022, GB 50447-2019), and continuously adapt to the development trend of intelligence and energy saving. This article systematically elaborates on the full-cycle construction standards of SPF animal facilities, from site planning and construction technology to system configuration and operation and maintenance management, providing a technical reference for the design and operation of high-standard experimental animal facilities.
 

I. Construction Basis and Standard System

The construction of SPF animal facilities (Specific Pathogen Free animal facilities) must strictly follow the latest national and industry standards. The core basis includes:

1. Basic Standards

   • 《Experimental Animal Environment and Facilities》 (GB 14925-2022): Replacing the original 2010 version, it clarifies core parameters such as cleanliness, temperature and humidity, and pressure difference gradient.

   • 《Experimental Animal Facility Construction Technical Specifications》 (GB 50447-2019): Covers building layout, material selection, and environmental control system design.

2. Supporting Standards

   • Biosafety laboratory related specifications (GB 50346-2022): Strengthen pathogen prevention and control and operational safety requirements.

   • Clean room construction and acceptance specifications (GB 50591-2010): Ensure the high efficiency and stability of the air filtration system.

II. Site Selection and Functional Area Planning

1. Site Selection Requirements

   • Away from industrial areas and residential areas ≥500 meters, avoiding pollution sources and vibration noise interference, stable geological conditions and smooth drainage.

   • Set up a ≥15-meter green isolation belt to reduce the impact of the external environment on the facilities.

2. Functional Zoning Design

   • Clean Area : Includes animal rooms (equipped with IVC independent ventilation cages), operating rooms, and clean corridors. A positive pressure gradient design is used (clean corridor +20Pa → animal room +15Pa).

   • Buffer Area : Changing rooms and showers, material sterilization transfer rooms (double-door high-pressure sterilizer), and disinfection rooms, realizing unidirectional flow of people, materials, and animals.

   • Contaminated Area : Dissection room, waste disposal room, negative pressure environment (-5Pa) and independent exhaust system are set to prevent cross-contamination.

III. Architectural Technical Specifications

1. Enclosure Structure and Materials

   • Walls/ceilings: Using 50mm thick magnesium oxide rock wool sandwich color-coated steel plate (A-level fireproof), the inner and outer corners are treated with R=50mm aluminum alloy rounded corners to avoid dust accumulation.

   • Floor: 3mm epoxy self-leveling + anti-static PVC roll material, corrosion-resistant, seamless.

   • Doors and Windows: Special purification airtight doors (with observation windows), airtightness reaches ISO 7 level standard.

2. Environmental Control System

   • Air Conditioning System : Using MAU (Air Handling Unit) + FFU (Fan Filter Unit) + DC (DC system), air change rate ≥15 times/h, three-stage filtration (G4 primary efficiency → F8 medium efficiency → H14 high efficiency).

   • Temperature and Humidity Control : Temperature 20-26℃ (daily fluctuation ≤2℃), humidity 40-70%, primates can be relaxed to 60%.

3. Pressure Difference and Airflow Design

   • The pressure difference gradient from the clean area to the contaminated area decreases sequentially (+20Pa → -5Pa), using a top-supply side-exhaust airflow mode to avoid airflow short circuits.

IV. Key System Configuration

1. Sterilization and Disinfection System

   • Double-door pulsed vacuum sterilizer (≥1.5m³) is used for material sterilization, and VHP (hydrogen peroxide vapor) space sterilization system (concentration ≥300ppm) is used for periodic environmental disinfection.

2. Intelligent Management

   • BMS system integrates environmental monitoring (temperature and humidity, pressure difference, particle counting), access control interlock, and emergency power supply (UPS + diesel generator) to ensure uninterrupted operation.

3. Animal Husbandry Equipment

   • IVC cages (0.1μm high-efficiency filtration), automatic drinking water system (RO reverse osmosis + ultraviolet disinfection), bedding is used after high-temperature sterilization.

V. Acceptance and Operation and Maintenance Management

1. Acceptance Standards

   • Static detection: Cleanliness ISO 7 level (0.5μm particles ≤352,000/m³), dynamic ammonia concentration ≤14mg/m³, noise ≤60dB(A).

   • Microbiological detection: Sedimentary bacteria ≤3CFU/dish (φ90mm, 4h).

2. Operation and Maintenance Standards

   • Personnel training: All personnel entering must pass biosafety and operation specification training, regular physical examinations, and restrict the entry of patients.

   • Facility maintenance: Primary efficiency filters are cleaned every 10 days, medium efficiency filters are replaced monthly, high efficiency filters are replaced annually, and exhaust activated carbon devices are inspected annually.

VI. Development Trends and Innovation

1. Energy-saving Design : Local purification (IVC system) replaces whole-room purification, reducing energy consumption by 30%-50%.

2. Intelligent Upgrade : AI monitors animal behavior and health status, and the Internet of Things tracks environmental parameters in real time.

Through the above technical specifications and dynamic management, SPF-level animal facilities can ensure the accuracy of experimental data and animal welfare, providing reliable support for biomedical research. Specific implementation should be combined with the requirements of local monitoring agencies, and regular third-party certification (such as CNAS) should be conducted.

Nanjing Expansion Technology Co., Ltd. a professional laboratory service provider, with laboratory construction qualifications and related patents; Our core technology is a full-range one-stop service covering laboratory construction consulting, planning and design, project implementation, and operation and maintenance management, and our pursuit is to create a reliable, efficient, safe, and applicable laboratory for you.