Containment Standards for Facilities Handling Aquatic Animal Pathogens
First Edition

PDF (1,211 kb)

Biohazard Containment and Safety
Science Branch
Canadian Food Inspection Agency

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Table of Contents

• Abbreviations
• Chapter 1 - Introduction
  • 1.1 Scope
  • 1.2 Background
  • 1.3 Regulatory Authorities
• Chapter 2 - Aquatic Animal Pathogen Containment
  • 2.1 Risk Factors and Challenges
  • 2.2 Risk Assessment
  • 2.3 Containment Levels
    • 2.3.1 Aquatic Containment Level 1 (AQC1)
    • 2.3.2 Aquatic Containment Level 2 (AQC2)
    • 2.3.3 Aquatic Containment Level 3 (AQC3)
    • 2.3.4 Containment Level for Large Scale Work with Aquatic Animal Pathogens
• Chapter 3 - Physical Requirements for Aquatic Containment Facilities
  • 3.1 Primary Containment
  • 3.2 Secondary Containment
  • 3.3 Risk Mitigation
  • 3.4 Design Considerations for New Facilities
  • 3.5 Physical Containment Requirements
    • 3.5.1 Structure, Location and Access
    • 3.5.2 Surface Finishes and Casework
    • 3.5.3 Containment Perimeter
    • 3.5.4 Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
    • 3.5.5 Facility Services
    • 3.5.6 Liquid Effluent Treatment for Live Animal Holding Facilities
• Chapter 4 - Operational Practices for Aquatic Containment Facilities
  • 4.1 AQC1 Practices
    • 4.1.1 Access
    • 4.1.2 Documentation
    • 4.1.3 Training
    • 4.1.4 Personal Protective Equipment
    • 4.1.5 Work Practices
  • 4.2 AQC2 Practices
    • 4.2.1 Access
    • 4.2.2 Documentation
    • 4.2.3 Training
    • 4.2.4 Personal Protective Equipment
    • 4.2.5 Work Practices
  • 4.3 AQC3 Practices
    • 4.3.1 Access
    • 4.3.2 Documentation
    • 4.3.3 Training
    • 4.3.4 Personal Protective Equipment
    • 4.3.5 Work Practices
  • 4.4 in vivo Additional Practices
    • 4.4.1 Access
    • 4.4.2 Documentation
    • 4.4.3 Training
    • 4.4.4 Personal Protective Equipment
    • 4.4.5 Work Practices
• Chapter 5 - Decontamination Processes
• Chapter 6 - Facility Certification
  • 6.1 Certification
  • 6.2 Recertification
  • 6.3 Verification and Performance Testing of AQC2 in vivo and AQC3 Facilities
    • 6.3.1 Room Integrity
    • 6.3.2 Communication Devices
    • 6.3.3 Door Interlocks
    • 6.3.4 Access Control and Security Devices
    • 6.3.5 Inward Directional Airflow
    • 6.3.6 Autoclaves and Decontamination Systems
    • 6.3.7 Backflow Preventers
    • 6.3.8 Emergency Generator
    • 6.3.9 Liquid Effluent Treatment
    • 6.3.10 Biological Safety Cabinets
    • 6.3.11 Biosafety Manual
• Chapter 7 - Contact Information
• Chapter 8 - Glossary
• Chapter 9 - Selected References

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The development of these standards has been an ongoing process and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is grateful to those who were involved in the preliminary phases of this project. The current version of the standard was developed by the Office of Biohazard Containment and Safety (OBCS) and reviewed by a group of individuals/ organizations that have been involved in this process from the inception. The OBCS would like to acknowledge the advice, expertise and input provided by these individuals and organizations.

Aquatic Animal Health Division (AAHD), Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC)
Don Rainnie, PhD, University of PEI
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)
Planning Design and Construction (PDC), Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
Veterinary Biologics Section (VBS), Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The OBCS would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the individuals and organizations that participated in and provided comments throughout the public consultation process.

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Abbreviations

AAHD: Aquatic Animal Health Division
AIHA: American Industrial Hygiene Association
ANSI: American National Standards Institute
AQCx: Aquatic Containment Level 1, 2 or 3
BSC: Biological Safety Cabinet
BSO: Biosafety Officer
CCAC: Canadian Council on Animal Care
CFIA: Canadian Food Inspection Agency
CSA: Canadian Standards Association
DFO: Fisheries and Oceans Canada
ERP: Emergency Response Plan
HEPA: High Efficiency Particulate Air
HVAC: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
MSDS: Material Safety Data Sheet
NAAHP: National Aquatic Animal Health Program
NSF: National Sanitation Foundation
OBCS: Office of Biohazard Containment and Safety
PPE: Personal Protective Equipment
PHAC: Public Health Agency of Canada
SOP: Standard Operating Procedure
VBS: Veterinary Biologics Section

Next page: Chapter 1