Individually Ventilated Cages (IVCs) - used throughout the facility to provide excellent living conditions for the animals. Used in conjunction with cage change-stations and Class II Microbiological Safety Cabinets to maintain animal health status and protect animal facility staff from animal allergen exposure.
Flexible Film Isolators – allow the facility to maintain rodents in a shared social environment while maximizing pathogen exclusion.
Class II Microbiological Safety Cabinets – use air curtains to provide two-way protection to both the operator and the animals or materials being worked with inside the cabinet
Laminar Air Flow (LAF) Cabins – high spec work booths that allow animals to be handled in optimum conditions for animals and staff alike.
Autoclaves – provide steam sterilisation of goods entering into each of the Bio-Science units. Automated cycles use a combination of positive and negative pressure pulsing to introduce steam to a sealed pressure vessel.
Decontamination Lock – disinfection of heat-labile consumable items in large chambers which utilise various means of chemical disinfection on automated cycles.
Robotic cage-washing system – an automated system that handles the washing, drying, re-filling and stacking of animal housing equipment and cage components as well as processing cage lids, diet hoppers and automatic drinking valves.
Stand-alone rack washer – large-scale washing unit for cleaning and disinfection of larger items using various chemical solutions and steam. All cycles are automated and can be adapted to meet requirements of the items being processed.
Automatic drinking water supply –animals receive clean water via an automated drinking system. The system is computer controlled and monitored.
Air Showers – use air turbulence to remove unwanted allergen and dust particles from clothing on entry and exit from the Experimental unit and Central Services.
Building Management System (BMS) - automated control and monitoring of environmental conditions (temp, humidity, light levels) with dedicated 24-hour call-out to facility staff and maintenance engineers. The facility also has an independent monitoring system that provides back-up data.
Animal management software – records are maintained in various formats to ensure accurate record-keeping that complies with Home Office legislation and provides usable data for researchers.