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Innovative Solutions for Swine Safety
Project Overview
GBA executed the conceptual and detailed design of a 31,305-square-foot Level 2 Biosafety Lab (BSL2) swine facility for Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, dedicated to testing swine vaccines. The comprehensive scope encompassed civil, architectural, structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, laboratory and fire protection design services. The facility incorporated animal holding rooms, necropsy, laboratory spaces, feed storage, decontamination and office areas. Design complexities included feed and waste management systems, animal drinking water, energy recovery, ventilation, High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration, pressurization, supply and exhaust constant air volume boxes, humidification, chillers, steam boilers, heating hot water boilers and waste decontamination.
Project Purpose
The project goal was to create a facility for testing swine vaccines, addressing concerns regarding the presence of viruses in swine waste and the need for effective decontamination before disposal into the onsite lagoon.
Challenges and Solutions
Initial design iterations focused on local chemical waste treatment; however, subsequent redesigns, spurred by corporate requests, led to the development of a BSL2+ facility featuring a thermal decontamination unit that served the entire building.
Team Involvement
The project was successful due to the extensive collaboration across various markets, including civil, water environment, survey, architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical and fire protection design services, alongside GBA Builders for cost estimation.
Unique Aspects
The project’s distinctive features included its BSL2 and BSL2+ designations, reflecting its high biosafety standards. The team’s cohesion and positive rapport with the client fostered a productive working environment.
Project Outcome
Due to COVID-related delays and scope changes, the project exceeded the initially budgeted costs, leading to its non-execution. Additionally, preferences from other regions for the facility to be located in their territories ultimately resulted in the project’s cancellation.
The project began in May 2021, and the final deliverable was sent in July 2022.