Ames, Iowa
RESEARCH/SCIENCE
“The facility’s containment requirements presented the need for a comprehensive commissioning process to ensure the proper function of the structure and systems. The success of this process depended on dedicated teamwork from everyone involved.”
—Donald Jones, chief, Ames Modernization Branch, USDA
The $70 million, 158,000-square-foot High Containment Large Animal Research Facility is the largest BSL-3Ag facility in the world.
Known as Building 9, it is the USDA’s main center for research, diagnostics and biologics and contains 22 Biosafety Level-3Ag animal rooms used for the study of animal diseases such as brucellosis and tuberculosis, and animal diseases that are foreign to the United States such as heartwater and African horse sickness. The facility presented extraordinary construction challenges. In addition to building an airtight facility in which infectious microorganisms must be contained, systems to contain animals weighing nearly a ton had to be built as well. After extensive mock ups, McCarthy installed a penning and gating system able to withstand a 1,500-pound hit at 35 miles-per-hour so large animals could be moved from one area to another. The system required embeds weighing hundreds of pounds into high-containment concrete without breaching its integrity. From start to finish, the facility was built in 18 months and will soon open its doors to scientists. Architect: Merrick & Company, Aurora, Colo.
