The Safety-Security Nexus

The design at Boston University Medical Centers biolab includes elements that cover security, safety and both

July 01, 2006 — CSO —

Security	Security and Safety	Safety
Double HEPA filters Airtight seams on all doors, BSL4 uses airlocked double doors Negative air pressure pulls all particles toward lab Airlock precedes lab and given five minute chemical disinfectant bath each time its used. Biocontainment suits have own air supply, washed and inflated (to check for leaks) prior to each use Liquid and solid wastes cooked for 30 minutes in high heat and pressure prior to disposal	Building controls include biometrics, electronically logged attendance, video surveillance Site control includes security guards, fencing and bollards, one-way access gates, video surveillance Extensive background checks on all employees Access systems integrated with storage containers to log access to biologics 150-foot building setback	Building-within-building design using blast rated external concrete walls Building can be sealed off and allowed to burn to destroy release of deadly biologics Two-person rule (No one is allowed into BSL4 labs alone) All BSL4 labs above ground to prevent water/ground contamination Scientists only in BSL4 labs, they change lightbulbs and dispose of trash and so on Path audit forces scientists to leave BSL4 labs the same way they came in; deviation means alarm sounds GPS tracked vehicles for transportation of deadly toxins to/from the lab Vehicle drivers undergo background checks, given duress alarms Random audits and emergency drills

Read more about physical security in CSOonline's Physical Security section.