National Biodefense Analysis & Countermeasures Center (NBACC)
Ft. Detrick, Maryland
Since the inception of the Department of Homeland Security, the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC) has developed the science critical to defend the nation against bio-terrorism. The ccrd team is collaborating on more and more Science and Technology engineering projects like this one. This state-of-the-art complex is the first laboratory built for DHS and is compromised of two centers. The first center is the Biological Threat Characterization Center (BTCC) which conducts research to better understand current and future biological threats. The second center is the National Bioforensic Analysis Center (NBFAC) which conducts forensic analysis on evidence from biocrime or bioterrorism investigations.
ccrd was called on to provide mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems design, engineering, and commissioning for the high containment BSL-4 laboratories. We also were involved in developing the liquid effluent decontamination system design and engineering for the entire facility. The NBACC BSL-4 laboratories are capable of supporting work with causative substances that may be listed by the CDC as select agents. Two Class III biological safety cabinet spaces are located within the BSL-4 suites as adjunct space for high hazard, specialized aerosolization activities involving animals. The Class III spaces employ a pass through mechanism for accessing material into the laboratory. Activities within the BSL-4 environment include the growing of pathogen stocks, extracting of material (nucleic acids), invitro infectivity studies, and challenge studies.
The BSL-4 spaces are subject to the Ft. Detrick Environmental Impact Statement and comply with requirements that include HEPA filtration of the exhaust air, decontamination of solid waste with pass-through decontamination autoclaves, decontamination of the liquid effluent, personnel showers upon exit of the high containment areas and fire protection systems within containment. The basis of containment of aerosols will be through sustained directional airflow from areas of low hazard to areas of high hazard maintained by an active HVAC system monitoring and controlling to specific differential pressures.
ccrd performed the commissioning of specialty systems in the facility which included the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems that support the BSL-4 spaces, the primary and back-up breathing air systems, the chemical shower decontamination system and the liquid effluent decontamination system. ccrd worked with NBACC facility operator Battelle National Biodefense Institute (BNBI) to develop operations and maintenance protocols for the facility. In working with the operations and maintenance representatives, ccrd’s commissioning program was fully incorporated into O&M procedures, O&M inventory management list, and operational safety protocols that are used at the facility.
ccrd is honored to serve our country in helping engineer and commission this highly-specialized Science and Technology engineering project.
Architect: Perkins + Will
Owner: Department of Homeland Security
Project Size: 160,000 sf
Completion: 2009
Construction Cost $143M
Scope of Services
Mechanical
Electrical
Plumbing
Lead Commissioning Agent for the high containment portion of the project.