Share thisConsumers should be aware that all manufactured buildings and planners do not have the same backgrounds, construction capabilities, or experience with materials commonly required in laboratory animal care and use programs.
The biomedical research industry has been on an expansion fast track for more than a decade. As new discoveries are made, the windows for exploration are expanded exponentially. With new discoveries, there are expanded needs for testing and production. Additionally, governments worldwide are expanding the capabilities to defend their citizens from bio-terrorism attacks. To meet the needs of this expansion, and to meet the need of providing quality space during renovations, manufactured facilities have proven to be an efficient, cost effective option.
History
In years past, several attempts were made to use manufactured buildings as laboratory animal care and use buildings. The majority of these structures were based upon a modification of standard ?mobile home? construction. Depending upon the intended use, such as the care for rodents or the care for non-human primates, that construction method and material selection met with limited success and was hampered by restrictions (due to transport issues) on size, material selection, and versatility.
With modern technology, which includes materials, HVAC components, engineering knowledge, and ?third party inspections,? manufactured buildings can now meet or exceed construction criteria that are standard within the biomedical research industry. Additionally, the application of current technology allows for a modern facility, in less time than traditional construction, and with an appearance to compliment the existing campus.
Current Technology
The application of current technology in the construction of manufactured facilities has lead to a high quality structure that incorporates industry specific elements. The buildings themselves are built to last and the interiors are designed to house biomedical equipment and create a functional laboratory workplace.
* Progressive modular building manufacturers construct their product with the aid of tools, fixtures, jigs, measuring devices, gauges, and the benefit of fully documented processes. They use production drawings. These processes allow for straighter cuts, better alignment of materials, and better fastening so the structure is tighter and more structurally sound. They are produced in a controlled environment. The material selection, design, and construction techniques produce a high quality structure that is no longer considered temporary, but will provide years of use.
*The use of specialty, custom, engineered components in the manufactured building construction industry continue to increase. Manufacturers use engineered roof trusses, engineered floor systems, pre-fabricated wall systems, high performance insulating materials, structural insulated panels, stair systems, and pre-manufactured cabinetry. The components are evaluated based on existing performance standards before they are selected for installation.
* Manufacturers who are responsive to the lab and animal care market have incorporated design elements that closely match site built construction such as epoxy flooring, welded vinyl flooring, seamless interior wall systems, sealed lights and electrical outlets, security systems, timed lights to simulate day/night conditions, chemical resistant surfaces, doors constructed of chemical proof materials, fire alarm systems, data collection systems, backup power generators, monitoring devices, and targeted HVAC systems that provide temperature/humidity control specific to the laboratory animal needs.
* Factory built structures are designed specifically for the kinds of equipment they will house. The buildings can have cages, fixed ventilated racks, laboratory fixtures and furniture, lockers, fume hoods, sterilizers, freezers, protective wall bumpers, change stations, automatic watering systems, bedding dispensers, rack and cage washers, disposals, and digesters. This equipment is built into the structure and included as an integral part of the building.