Housed at Texas A&M University, the Office of the State Chemist (OTSC) is a chemistry research lab. Cleary Zimmerman provided MEP and IT/Security design for both the shell and finsh-out of for the OTSC's three labs: a Tier 1 BSL-3, a Standard BSL-3, and a BSL-2, as well as associated anterooms, lockers, and shower in/shower out. We designed all systems to Center for Disease Control and Texas A&M System biosafety requirements.
Our team included fully redundant HVAC systems with VAV air handlers and fast acting lab control and exhaust valves. We also included eight (8) fume hoods and two (2) biosafety cabinets. To achieve pressure balance we sized supply and exahaust fans accordingly, using high plume exahust fans. We maintained minimum airflows and tracked supply and exhaust lab air valves to maintain desired pressure. All componenets penetrating the lab were gasketed and sealed. Electrically, we provided power for all equipment as well as gasketed receptacles. We included uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and surface mounted lights to maintain seal of lab. Plumbing systems included deionized water, compressed air, sinks, showers, and toilets. We also provided decontamination systems, which consisted of vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) that was permanently ducted to labs.
