Level 3 veterinary lab gets leg up with mixed- flow impeller system
George Mellen, P.E., who is responsible for mechanical and electrical systems design at the laboratory facilities of Iowa State University in Ames, IA, needed to identify the best method of exhausting the university’s recent conversion of an existing biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) laboratory at its College of Veterinary Medicine. The lab was upgraded to the BS-3 level. Since health and safety issues were paramount, Mellen was concerned with the laboratory’s existing centrifugal exhaust fans (one dedicated exhaust fan system and roof-mounted stack for each workstation).
For this upgrade, Mellen worked closely with KJWW Consultants, an HVAC and electrical/mechanical design consulting firm. KJWW is also working with the university on another BSL-3 laboratory for the biosecurity unit of its Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Mellen said that Iowa State is very active with infectious disease research work, particularly with animals.