TA-23-A012 – Study on Airtightness and Pressurization in a BSL-3 Laboratory Using Measurement and Simulation ✓ Most Recent

It is essential to prevent the spread of infections in biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) laboratories. The negative pressure in the BSL-3 laboratory environment keeps these pathogens from leaving during a spill or accident. Therefore, negative pressure is very important to maintain. In this study, a comprehensive field measurement was performed. The results show that the air tightness of the through-wall equipment and the door joint is frequently poor. Therefore, the CFD method was used to simulate and discover the air tightness and pressurization in various leakage area configurations and airflow ventilation rates. This study simulates the four-size leakage area and four different ventilation rates. Additionally, a numerical investigation is conducted into the influence of the pressure loss caused by the biosafety cabinet (BSC) failure or shutdown. The results revealed that a leakage area of 0.04 m2 and an airflow rate of 540 CMH could maintain the pressure difference at -17.75 Pa. When the leakage area increases to 0.06 m2, the pressure difference is -8.6 Pa. The leakage area is then increased to 0.08 m2, and the pressure difference decreases to -3.04 Pa. Additionally, when the leakage area is lower as 0.02 m2, which indicates good air tightness, the design pressure difference value can be achieved by employing a lower airflow rate of 240 CMH and could benefit in addressing the energy-saving concern. In addition, the BSC temporary shutdown scenario results in the instantaneous diffusion of gases of indoor gas when the pressure cannot be automatically regulated. The anteroom and even the staff could become infected. Through the analysis of this research, it is hoped that it could provide an important reference for the future construction design and safety management of the BSL laboratory.