CDST_LT: Biosafety measures for TB Laboratories

The basic recommended design features of TB laboratories to ensure appropriate biosafety are:

• Adequate ventilation and directional airflow; 6-12 air exchanges per hour (ACH) is adequate ventilation for TB laboratories.
• Ample space for the safe conduct of laboratory work and for cleaning and maintenance (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Ample and open spacing in an ideal TB lab

• Walls, ceilings and floors should be smooth and easy to clean.
• Floors should be slip-resistant.
• Benchtops should be resistant to the chemicals and disinfectants normally used in the laboratory.
• Proper and adequate illumination: Undesirable reflections and glare should be avoided; curtains must not be used.
• Open spaces between and under benches, cabinets and equipment to allow access for cleaning.
• Storage spaces should have the following features:

1. Adequate to hold supplies for immediate use and prevent clutter on bench tops and in corridors outside the laboratory.
2. Provision of additional space for long-term storage conveniently located outside work areas.

• Well-defined and specific area for safe preparation, handling and storage of acids, stains and solvents.
• Facilities for eating, drinking and resting should be provided outside work areas.
• Provisions for adequate handwashing, which includes:

1. Sink and soap in every room of the laboratory, preferably located near the exit.
2. Automated or hands-free taps are recommended.
3. The dispenser for paper towels should be near the sink.

• Laboratory doors should have vision panels and appropriate fire ratings; they should be self-closing (Figure 2).
• There should be a reliable and adequate electricity supply.

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Figure 2: Lab doors with fire rating shown

Laboratory furniture should be sturdy and made of impervious materials. It is important that the furniture can be decontaminated easily. Therefore, cloth-covered furniture should never be used in the laboratory (Figure 3)

Figure 3: Furniture, like chairs, must not be covered with cloth

Resources

• GLI LC Training Module on Biosafety

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Ventilation is an essential biosafety design feature in a TB lab.

Laboratory ventilation has three basic elements: 

1. Ventilation rate  

Amount of outdoor air that flows into the laboratory.

2. Airflow direction 

Overall direction of air flowing through the laboratory should be from functionally clean areas to dirty areas.

3. Airflow pattern 

External air should be delivered to each area of the laboratory and the internal air be removed efficiently.

Adequate ventilation is the most important biosafety feature of a TB laboratory. The figure below shows the main recommendations when considering ventilation in TB labs.

Figure: Expert Group Recommendations for TB Lab Ventilation

Ventilation in TB Containment Laboratories

• A ducted air ventilation system is required.  
• This system must provide a sustained negative pressure, which maintains directional airflow by drawing air into the laboratory from “clean” areas toward “potentially contaminated” areas.
• The laboratory should be designed such that, under failure conditions, the airflow will not be reversed.
• Laboratory personnel must be able to verify directional airflow. A visual monitoring device, which confirms directional airflow, must be provided at the laboratory entry.
• Audible alarms should be considered to notify personnel of airflow disruption.
• The laboratory exhaust air must not re-circulate to any other area of the building.
• The laboratory building exhaust air should be dispersed away from occupied areas and from building air intake locations, or the exhaust air must be HEPA filtered.

Resources

• TB Lab Biosafety Manual, WHO, 2012.

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As part of the biosafety measures in TB labs, there are specific standards that need to be followed for lab equipment.

Key Features of Laboratory Equipment in TB Laboratories

The equipment should be:

• Designed to prevent or limit contact between the operator and infectious material.
• Constructed from materials impermeable to liquids and resistant to corrosion.
• Fabricated to be smooth, and without sharp edges and unguarded moving parts.
• Designed, constructed and installed to:
  1. Facilitate simple operations.
  2. Allow easy maintenance, cleaning, decontamination and certification testing.
• Not consisting of glassware and other breakable materials, whenever possible.
• Shock-proof and of standard materials, such as in case of electrical wires, plugs and other accessories.

Resources

• TB Lab Safety Manual, WHO, 2012.

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