CAGE PROCESSING in Animal Facilities - Felasa

Safety note:PAA has a severe skin and eye irritating effect on humans and animals. This needs to be considered, especiallywhen introducing animals into a barrier area by means of PAA process (only in airtight taped transportcontainers!).Limitations of use that need to be examined closelyWhether or not a material is resistant to PAA must be examined on a case-by-case basis. The sealing materialsthereby demand particular attention. Natural rubber, rubber, soft PVC, aluminium, iron/steel, brass, andcopper for example are not suitable.4.6.3.1 Constructional requirementsConstructional requirements include the mechanical structure, procedural components, and electrical designof PAA locks. In animal facilities PAA locks are usually designed as pass-through locks. The common dimensionis 560 mm x 560 mm x 760 mm (hxwxd).4.6.3.1.1 Mechanical structureThe mechanical structure of PAA locks must meet the following requirements:• Lock and pipes must be designed in a hygienic way in stainless steel (dead spots and wet spots are to beavoided).• The internal part of the lock must be equipped with a coarse meshed, removable dish rack.• Spray heads for a fine atomising and homogenous distribution of PAA are recommended.• Two safety glass doors sealed and interlocked should be built in.• Gastight floor drain.• Airtight connection of the lock to the barrier line of the building.• Connection port for feeding the PAA pipe, complete with shut-off valve.• Storage rooms for storing PAA must be equipped with forced ventilation and bund tank.4.6.3.1.2 Procedural componentsPAA locks require the following procedural components:• PAA may neither be locked in pipes between valves nor be used in closed machines. Container and pipesalike must be equipped with ventilation devices. Intrusion of contaminants must be prevented.• HEPA filter for supply and exhaust air (either inside the lock or on-site)• Gastight and PAA-resistant shut-off valves (ventilation) are required.• Compressed air for atomising PAA must be provided.• PAA must not be fed into regular drains. Suitable collection tanks with separate ventilation must be provided(drains must be gastight and lockable with a valve).• Exhaust air must be discharged through a separate pipe (50 to 100 air changes for aeration / drying arerequired.4.6.3.1.3 Electrical structureThe electrical structure of PAA locks must meet the following requirements:• Control and communication (control via PLC or microprocessor controller, release, signal exchange, start/stop/abort signal, end of cycle, time control via validation) must be provided.• An operation display (indicating “process running”, door release, warning light) at the loading and unloadingside is required.• Door control (gasket control via sealing pressure, “door closed” contact) and locking must be monitoredduring the cycle.• The feedback signal of the valves must be monitored.• The filling level of the supply and collection tank must be monitored.• Emergency stop buttons must be applied to each side.36Cage Processing in Animal Facilities · 4th issue · 2013