Mobile laboratories at a high safety level as part of an early warning system
Part of an early warning system should be the capability of confirming, or in a more lucky case, not confirming the outbreak of epidemic forms of virological or bacteriological attacks.
Health workers, local authorities or members of the public will inform the responsibility governmental bodies of clusters of certain illnesses. One of the immediate measures would be to seal of the area and investigate the existence or non-existence of highly infective viruses or bacteria.
One key question is, do we have the time and capacity to collect samples, transport them to laboratories far away for confirmation, wait for the results and then discuss counter measures?
Would it not be much more effective and time saving to have the laboratory ready right at the effected area to save time, risk of transporting samples and the possibility to spread the disease, to have an utmost flexible system right at the spot?
Knowing these difficulties our approach was to create a safe mobile laboratory system, completely independent from outside supplies, a mobile laboratory which does not leave a trace of its work when moved away, a mobile laboratory which does not leave behind any untreated waste or infected liquid, it should be designed to meet the stringent requirements of bio safety level P 2 and P 3.
The concept is based on a 4 wheel driven truck with cross country ability to be driven under extreme road conditions and mountainous areas. The chassis was chosen from a highly repudiated manufacturer
with service stations world wide. The truck is equipped with a powerful diesel engine with turbo charger. The total length of the truck including the laboratory does not exceed 9 m in order to make it suitable for narrow roads and winding cross country travel. It will also not exceed 11 tons in total weight. The wheelbase is of a narrow type, not exceeding 5 m. All parts are corrosion protected.
The truck is equipped with a separate driver’s cabin with separate air condition and heating system. It fulfils all requirements regarding road safety and personal protection such as airbags, safety belts, ABS breaking system. To travel in comfort and without the risk to loose track the truck is equipped with AM-FM CD radio, radio communication system and GPS. The doors are remote controlled with anti-theft alarm function. Clear symbols on the switch board indicate the working of siren and light. It has an integrated communication system between the driver compartment and the laboratory. A spare wheel tool back, towrope and lifting jack round up the supply.
The laboratory compartment superstructure is of sandwich type with 50 mm PU isolation, outside panel aluminium, inside panel Gel coat. Floor isolation is 35 mm. It is designed to withstand high and low temperatures, moist weather conditions and strong sunshine. It is completely sealed according BSL 2 requirements. Lockable under floor compartments with water tight flaps house the generator and chassis mounted autoclave as well as other equipment.
Two isolated windows are integrated into the laboratory; they are made of safety glass ESG and have sun shades. The entrance door is equipped with a self closing device and is with window. It is interlocked with the entrance door to the laboratory working room, thus it is only possible to open it when the inner door is closed. A key lock prevents unauthorized entry. Foldable stairs with non slip surface and stainless steel handrail allow easy access to the compartment
Integrated into the laboratory compartment, next to the entrance door, is a sample sluice with acoustic alarm. It is a double locked pass through channel, avoiding laboratory air to be released into the open.
The laboratory ventilation system is equipped with HEPA H 13 filters to avoid any contamination of the outside. The ventilation system is capable of supplying fresh air into the laboratory at an accepted air change rate.
A bio safety level II compliant air condition system, working with negative air pressure inside the laboratory is part of the concept. It has both heating and cooling capacity. The evaporator is mounted to the roof, sealed gas tight and is powered by the compressor mounted to the generator. The condenser is also roof mounted. The water heater is heated by waste heat of the generator, thus no extra energy is required. The units are controlled by one controller and ensure a fully automatic operation.
A generator is mounted to the chassis. The generator integrates the compressor required for the air condition system. It is water cooled. The nominal output is rated at 12 kW 15 kVA without AC output and 8Kw 10kVA with AC unit, the network supply to the socket is 25 Ampere. It works at a low noise level of max. 54 dB/A 79 Lwa, the protection rate is IP 54.
The mobile laboratory is equipped with a 45 l clean water tank, connected to a supply port. It can be refilled with the supplied water hose. The hose on a reel has a length of 20 m and is equipped with adapter/connecter for supply hydrant.
The inner dimensions of the laboratory compartment are 6000 mm length, 2300 mm width and 2300 in height. This includes the staff changing room with 1500 mm in length and 2300 mm in width.
All waste water is collected into the waste water tank of 54 l capacity. The waste water tank is designed as sterilisation chamber of the chassis mounted autoclave.
Laboratory compartment
The inner dimensions of the laboratory are 4500 mm in length, 2300 mm in width and 2300 mm in height. The laboratory is equipped with sufficient lightning. The laboratory is equipped with a sufficient number of sockets to guarantee the safe working of all instruments required. The sockets are wall mounted into a sealed plastic channel which is easy to disinfect and clean
The basic concept of the laboratory is to provide a safe working environment for the laboratory staff, it should under no circumstances bring any harm to the surrounding area in terms of contaminating the environment by waste or liquids or personal. It is designed for a workflow of microbiological and virological applications. All inner walls and floors are from easy to clean and disinfectant resistant material. They are laid seamless. The laboratory meets all standard related to bio safety level II.
Autoclave for liquid waste disposal
The chassis mounted autoclave has a capacity of 54 l. The installed heating power is 12 kW. The unit serves both as storage reservoir and pressure vessel for a save sterilization of all watery waste and contaminated liquids being fed in from the wash basins and the emergency shower. It is connected with stainless steel pipes to the outlets of both the wash basins and emergency shower. The unit is equipped with two sets of 3 heating elements of 2 KW each. In the event that one heating element s not working it is still able to perform a safe sterilisation with the remaining elements. It contains one back-up heating element.
The pressure vessel is made from stainless steel grade SS 316 L., all seals are chemically inert and resistant to chemical disinfection. The pressure vessel is CE marked and in full compliance with all relevant European norms, namely PDD. The nominal pressure is 3 bar, the temperature is adjustable between 121 and 140°C. The filling level is automatically monitored by sensors; additionally a viewing glass is mounted. The unit will start automatically once the filling level is reached. It can also be started manually. The autoclave is mounted at the rear part of the chassis to have the shortest possible piping to the entry ports at the wash basins and emergency shower.
The control unit is placed inside the dressing room at an easy accessible position, and an additional emergency switch-off is installed near the autoclave. The control is self monitoring. A discharge of non sterile water is not possible as it is recognized by the control. The control will include a batch counter and a counter for filter life span. The control can store up to 100 cycle data sets. Included is a paper printer with ink printing ribbon to print out cycle data. Data can be stored on a PC and the storage can be read out via PC.
The unit is equipped with a 0.2 µm filter element. The filter serves as exhaust air filter during heat up time. During the sterilisation cycle the filter element is also sterilised. It is mounted in a position easy to replace.
The autoclave is protected against over pressure, over temperature and electrical faults. The into the control included self monitoring system recognizes such events and shuts of the autoclave. The liquid is not released if the cycle is not completed. The discharge of sterilized liquids is done in a safe way for the environment and people nearby.
The autoclave is designed to meet the relevant requirements of bio safety level II and III.
