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MS2 Rm153 PC2 Internal Inspection Checklist

The document is an Internal PC2 Certification Inspection Checklist for laboratories handling microorganisms, based on the Australian New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2243.3:2022. It outlines requirements for safety, construction, design, work practices, and compliance checks necessary for maintaining a safe laboratory environment. Users must complete the checklist and submit it with the Internal PC Certification Application Form to the designated email address.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
14 views14 pages

MS2 Rm153 PC2 Internal Inspection Checklist

The document is an Internal PC2 Certification Inspection Checklist for laboratories handling microorganisms, based on the Australian New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2243.3:2022. It outlines requirements for safety, construction, design, work practices, and compliance checks necessary for maintaining a safe laboratory environment. Users must complete the checklist and submit it with the Internal PC Certification Application Form to the designated email address.

Uploaded by

Thornoo1
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

INTERNAL PC2 CERTIFICATION INSPECTION CHECKLIST

INSTITUTIONAL BIOSAFETY COMMITTEE

Australian New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2243.3:2022 Safety in Laboratories Part 3: Microbiological safety and
containment sets out the requirements, responsibilities and general guidelines relating to safety in laboratories where
microorganisms are used.

To access the Standards directly, you will need to register yourself using your UTAS email address. Please see links
below for additional information and instructions:

1. How to register - [Link]


2. How to log in - [Link]

Please complete this checklist and send with the Internal PC Certification Application Form (and safety risk
assessment if required) to [Link]@[Link]

1. PC2 Inspection details


Name of person(s) completing
Justin Mayo (Medicine), Angela Hanley (Medicine), Anastasia Salter (RGO)
inspection/checklist

Date of inspection 05/03/2025

Facility name MS2 Rm153 Teaching Laboratory

2. PC2 Inspection checklist


Theme/ Compliant?
AS/NZS Requirement
Ref. Yes No Comments
GENERAL
PC1 A sign conforming to Appendix B showing level of containment,
5.2.1 together with hazard symbols as appropriate and any access restrictions
shall, be prominently displayed at all entrances
CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN
PC1 Floors, doors and any window furnishings shall be smooth, easy to Floors and doors
5.2.2 a) clean, impermeable to liquids, and resistant to commonly used reagents impermeable and easy
and disinfectants to clean; blinds on
windows may be
difficult to disinfect.
b) Window furnishings shall not be located next to major sources of heat Bunsen burners on
or potential fire hazards such as hotplates or Bunsen burners benches and are not
near window blinds.
c) Bench tops shall be able to withstand heat generated by general
laboratory procedures, e.g. flaming loops and heating of media
d) Open spaces between and under benches, cabinets, and equipment
shall be accessible for cleaning to prevent build-up of material providing
refuge for invertebrates and microorganisms
e) Laboratory construction shall prevent infestation by vermin
f) Furniture shall be ergonomically suitable and appropriate for the
specific purpose of the laboratory, the safety of laboratory users and
the manipulation of microorganisms in containment. This shall include
adjustable height stools and the use of smooth, impervious seat
coverings to facilitate cleaning
g) Dedicated hand basins or an alternative means of decontaminating

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hands shall be provided inside laboratories, at or near all exits in


positions which facilitate hand decontamination as part of the
recommended exit procedure (exits which are only intended for
emergency egress purposes may be excluded)
h) Backflow prevention for water supplies shall conform to Appendix C
i) Gas supplies in the facility shall conform to the general requirements
specified in Clause C.3.1.
j) Eyewash facilities in accordance with AZ/NZS 2982 shall be provided
k) Storage for PPE shall be provided
[see PC2
5.3.3(j)]
PC2 5.3.3 All surfaces of the walls, benches, and joinery within the laboratory shall
a) be smooth, easy to clean, impermeable to liquids, and resistant to
commonly used reagents and disinfectants. Floors shall be coved to
walls and exposed plinths to facilitate cleaning. Benches shall have any
joints sealed, and be sealed to end walls and wet areas (e.g. sinks)
b) Structural joints shall be durable, impermeable, easy to clean and
resistant to deterioration due to commonly used cleaning agents,
common disinfectants, and where applicable, exposure to ultraviolet
radiation
c) Internal fittings and fixtures shall be selected and fitted to enable
cleaning of all surfaces (e.g. lights, air ducts, pipes and conduits)
d) Windows shall be closed and sealed
e) Containers in accordance with Section 13 shall be provided for
collection, storage, or disposal of potentially infectious or infectious
materials
f) A pressure steam sterilizer shall be available where steam sterilizing of Small steriliser
laboratory wastes is required (see Clause 5.3.6(i), Clause 11.6 and available in prep room
Section 13) 154, biohazardous
waste double-bagged
and transported to L5
to be autoclaved.
g) If hand basins are used for hand decontamination, they shall be of single
outlet type, arranged for ease of use without hands (see also Clause
5.2.2(g))
h) Storage space (e.g. shelving, separate from the work bench) shall be
provided for reference documents and papers other than worksheets
which may be used on the bench
i) Areas for report writing and long-term write up (e.g. offices) shall not be
located in PC2 laboratories
j) Hooks or storage facilities for laboratory gowns that prevent cross- Lab coat storage hooks
contamination between gowns shall be provided within the laboratory, located in gowning
in a position that facilitates gown removal as part of the recommended room (152). Gowns are
not separated, but do
exit procedure
not leave the facility.
k) Gas supplies in the facility shall conform to the backflow prevention
requirements specified in Clause C.3.2
l) Where plant growth cabinets are used in conjunction with NA
microbiological work, all openings to the cabinets or all openings to the

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laboratory shall be provided with screens in accordance with Clause


7.3.3(f)
m) A sign conforming to Appendix B showing the biological hazard symbol
and the level of containment, together with hazard symbols as
[see PC1
5.2.1] appropriate and any access restrictions, shall be prominently displayed
at the entrances to the laboratory
n) Any storage units located outside the PC2 laboratory and used to store See risk assessment
risk group 2 microorganisms shall be locked and posted with the Ref. No. 5
biological hazard symbol and be signposted with the names and contact
details of the relevant personnel prominently displayed
WORK PRACTICES
PC1 5.2.3 Access shall be limited to authorised personnel
a)
a) Doors shall be kept closed
b) Eating including the preparation, storage or consumption of food,
drinking, smoking, shaving and the application of cosmetics including
the handling of contact lenses shall be prohibited in the laboratory
c) PPE worn and used in the laboratory shall conform to the requirements
in AS 2243.1 (see clause 11.2). The minimum PPE worn and used shall
be protective clothing to afford protection to the front part of the body,
and closed shoes. Protective eyewear shall be work if a risk assessment
of the task requires it.
c) PPE shall be decontaminated or laundered at regular intervals, based on Twice per year
appropriate protocols
d) Production of aerosols shall be minimised, particularly where work is
carried out on the open bench (see clause 3.1.)
e) Dissemination of microbiological material shall be minimised while
flaming a wire loop, by drawing the loop gradually from the cooler to
the hotter parts of the Bunsen burner flame, or by using a hooded or an
electric Bunsen burner
f) Cultures shall be clearly identified and dated. The time for which
cultures are kept on the bench shall be minimised. They shall be
transferred to a dedicated storage area, such as a refrigerator or part of
a cold room
g) Mouth pipetting shall not be used
h) Diagnostic kits, control sera, and products manufactured from
microbiological sources shall be handled using appropriate safety
measures to avoid contact with, and spread of infectious organisms
which may be still present
i) Cultures of spore-producing fungi shall be covered or sealed as NA
appropriate to prevent dispersal
j) Chemicals shall be stored in accordance with AS 2243.2
k) Local exhaust ventilation or a fume cupboard shall be used for work
with toxic, volatile, corrosive, or odoriferous substances
l) Items that are frequently handled should be regularly decontaminated
(e.g. door handles, fridges, telephones, keyboards, pipetting equipment,
reading and writing materials)

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m) Work benches shall be decontaminated at least daily and after all work
involving microorganisms
n) Staff shall be trained in the cleaning up of microbiological spills. Spills
shall be contained, any affected personnel attended to and the area
cleaned up and decontaminated with appropriate disinfectant
o) Wastes (e.g. broken glassware, biological and radioactive substances),
shall be segregated and disposed of
p) Laboratory gowns shall be removed and hands decontaminated before
exiting the PC laboratory
q) Personal devices, such as mobile phones, shall not be used in locations
where they could become contaminated. This includes personal
earphones and earplugs
r) Where contamination of personal devices occurs or is suspected,
decontamination shall take place prior to removal of the device from
the laboratory
PC2 5.3.6 Instruction and training in handling infectious microorganisms shall be
a) provided to laboratory personnel with regular updates, e.g. annually or
when new information is obtained (see also Clause 2.1.5)
b) All clinical and diagnostic specimens shall be regarded as potentially
infectious. The risk of infection extends to human sera and derivatives
used as positive and negative control reagents in diagnostic and other
procedures
c) When handling blood, serum, or other body fluids and substances that
are visibly contaminated with blood, appropriate actions shall be taken
to prevent infections and spread
d) Leaking containers shall be handled in a BSC. All container surfaces shall
be decontaminated prior to opening the primary container (see Table
D.1). Where a replacement sample is readily obtained, the leaking
specimen shall be decontaminated and discarded in accordance with
Section 13
e) Sharp instruments, such as syringes, needles and scalpels shall not be
used unless there is no alternative. Sharps shall be disposed of in sharps
containers (refer to AS 4031). Before disposal, needles shall not be
removed, bent, sheared, or replaced in a sheath or guard, unless the
recapping or removal procedure can be carried out by a safe method
with suitable equipment
f) Manipulations of Risk Group 2 infectious microorganisms transmissible
by the respiratory route or work producing a significant risk from
aerosol production shall be undertaken in a BSC or by the use of other
equipment designed to contain the aerosol. If not undertaken in a BSC
(e.g. using a homogenizer or sonicator), the container shall be opened in
a BSC after a period of at least 5 min to allow for droplets to settle
g) When working with material containing or potentially containing NA
infectious prions, the requirements of Clause 3.7. shall apply (see also
Clause 11.8)
h) Bacterial cultures shall not be actively sniffed for odours
i) Cultures of spore-producing fungi shall be sealed as appropriate to NA

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prevent dispersal
j) Movement of viable microorganisms and materials outside the See risk assessment
laboratory shall be undertaken in a safe and secure manner. The outer Ref. No. 5
surface of a primary container shall be decontaminated before being
placed into a secondary unbreakable and closed container
k) Potentially contaminated re-useable laboratory ware shall be
decontaminated in accordance with Section 13 prior to washing and re-
use. Chemical disinfection of pipettes shall be carried out in an
appropriate disinfectant solution (see Table D.1), ensuring that the
pipettes are vertical, tip down and fully immersed to minimize aerosol
production. Thermal decontamination of empty pipettes shall be carried
out in a pre-vacuum steam sterilizer
l) Used PPE shall be kept segregated from unused and decontaminated Safety glasses are
PPE cleaned after prac, lab
coats are removed and
kept with other lab
coats.
m) Appropriate eye protection (see Clause 11.2.4) shall be used to protect
eyes from contaminated or hazardous material or from ultraviolet light
n) Appropriate PPE, including gloves, shall be worn when working in a BSC
o) PPE shall be removed and hands decontaminated in a predetermined
appropriate order, before leaving the laboratory
p) Used, contaminated and potentially contaminated PPE shall be
decontaminated in accordance with appropriate protocols prior to
disposal or reuse
q) Laboratory staff shall advise maintenance and service personnel of any
microbiological hazards in the laboratory. All areas, surfaces and
equipment shall be decontaminated prior to maintenance, servicing or
removal from the laboratory
r) Invertebrate pests, birds and vermin shall be kept out of the laboratory
using an appropriate control program(s)
s) Only necessary writing and write-up shall be undertaken in laboratories.
Report writing and write-up of data should be undertaken outside
laboratories
MULTIPLE ROOM FACILITIES
PC2 5.3.2 Where PC2 laboratories include large areas such as entire floors,
multiple floors or multiple buildings, access shall be restricted to
authorized personnel. This includes access via lifts and stairs, preventing
the use of laboratories as thoroughfares and ensuring that eating and
drinking is prohibited in the entire PC2 area
Where lifts operate through multiple PC2 levels, the lift itself shall not NA
be classified as PC2 as it may be used by unauthorized persons. The lift
shaft and lift motor areas are required to be accessed by lift technicians
and cannot be readily decontaminated. If the lift is required to transport
potential infectious or infectious materials from one floor to another,
the potentially infectious or infectious materials shall be either double-
bagged or placed in a secondary sealable, unbreakable container for the
transport (e.g. to a steam sterilizer). Where the materials are double

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bagged, the outer bag should be sealed during transport


Potentially contaminated laboratory gowns and gloves shall not be worn NA
in lifts
Inward air flow to the PC2 areas from lifts and lift shafts shall be NA
maintained to prevent reversal of air flow direction at the PC2 boundary
which can result from the movement of the lift car in the shaft ("piston
effect")
Where lift equipment is accessed via PC2 areas, care shall be taken to NA
ensure that lift maintenance personnel are able to perform their work
without compromising safety or containment
Stairs that connect only to PC2 areas may be classified as PC2 spaces NA
provided that they satisfy the PC2 construction requirements. Users
shall be made aware that wearing potentially contaminated laboratory
gowns and gloves on stairs can be a source of cross-contamination.
Potentially infectious or infectious materials shall be double-bagged or
placed in a secondary sealable, unbreakable container for transport.
When double bagging is used, the outer bag should be sealed during
transport
VENTILATION
PC2 5.3.4 An inward flow of air shall be maintained by forced extraction of The lab does not have
laboratory air to minimize the spread of aerosols in the event of an inward airflow to
inadvertent spill. Air may be recirculated but not into areas outside PC2 minimise the spread of
aerosols in the event
laboratories
of an inadvertent spill.
This normally means that PC2 laboratories will be at negative pressure
with respect to all potentially occupied spaces outside those
laboratories. However, specialist sterile preparation work can require
positive pressure gradients to prevent contamination
Positive pressure spaces (e.g. specific rooms) may be provided within a NA
PC2 laboratory if a risk assessment deems it necessary
If, subject to a risk assessment, positive pressure zones are proposed NA
within a PC2 laboratory, the following conditions shall apply:
a) There shall be inward air flow at access doors to the PC2 laboratory
preventing air from the laboratory entering non-PC2 spaces
b) There shall be safeguards in place to minimize the likelihood of
aerosol generation in positive pressure spaces (e.g. double-bagging
during transport and use of BSCs)
c) Positive pressures shall be minimized to prevent the spread of
aerosols in the event of an accident
d) Control measures shall be in place to minimize the potential for loss
of containment where equipment containing Risk Group 2
microorganisms operate at positive pressure (e.g. in pressure vessels,
pumped pipelines)
Recirculated air shall be filtered to remove airborne particulates. Where
long-term build-up of particulate material can be hazardous to
personnel, filtration should occur before air leaves the laboratory, i.e. at
or below ceiling level
Ventilation system components such as filters and filter plenums can NA

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accumulate particulates. Any special precautions that are required for


maintenance personnel should be noted at points of access to this
equipment
Ventilation air shall not be directed towards doors or located in
positions that can disturb air flow at BSCs
CONTAINMENT EQUIPMENT
PC2 A Class I or Class II BSC (see Clause 11.7) shall be used where there is a
[Link] risk of exposure of personnel to hazardous microorganisms (e.g. by
aerosol generation) or if the use of a BSC can be beneficial to reduce the
risk associated with an escape of microorganisms from the laboratory.
The requirements in Appendix G shall be addressed and followed with
respect to the safe use of Class I and Class II BSCs
Class II BSCs shall be tested in situ with features operating at the most
significant potential disruptive effect (e.g. supply ventilation air streams)
Where requirements in AS 2252.4 conflict with requirements in this
document, the requirements in Clause 11.7 and Appendix G shall take
precedence
[Link] A laminar flow Cytotoxic drug safety cabinet (see also Clause 11.8) shall NA
be considered if work involving prions is intended (see Clauses 3.7 and
11.8). Installation, use and decontamination of the CDSC shall be in
accordance with the requirements set out in AS 2252.5 (see also Clauses
3.7 and 11.9)
[Link] A centrifuge fitted with either sealed rotors or sealed buckets shall be NA
used when centrifuging potentially infectious or infectious materials
(see also Clause 11.3)
Additional requirements in AS/NZS 2243.3:2022 for:
Section 6.5 – Requirements for Terrestrial Animal PC2 Facilities NA
Section 7.3 – Requirements for Plant PC2 Facilities NA
Section 8.3 – Requirements for Invertebrate PC2 Facilities NA
Section 9.5 – Requirements for Aquatic Organism PC2 Facilities NA

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AS/NZS 2982:2010

Eyewash facilities

3.9.4 Safety shower and eyewash

Safety shower and eyewash or eye/face wash equipment shall be supplied with potable water. See
Clause 6.2.

6.2 Safety showers and eyewashers

6.2.1 Provision of equipment

At least one safety shower and eyewash or eye/face wash facility shall be installed, in each laboratory
where hazardous substances are used. See Clause 3.9.4.
NOTES:

1. Safety showers, eyewashes and eye/face washers may be supported but not replaced with hand-
held drench hoses.
2. Safety showers should not normally be used to remove microbiological contamination due to the
hazards associated with aerosol creation and possible spread of contamination. However if
chemical hazards are present in a microbiology laboratory, a safety shower is still required.

6.2.2 Operation and access

Each safety shower, eyewash or eye/face wash facility shall be capable of operation so that water
flow remains constant without requiring the use of other operator’s hands.

These devices and their activating mechanisms shall be located so that the approach to them is
unobstructed.
NOTE: A travel distance not exceeding 15m (corresponding to approximately 10 seconds travel time) to
such devices from any point in the laboratory is considered good practice. Lesser travel distances may
be appropriate for high risk applications.

6.2.3 Equipment specifications

Safety shower, eyewash and eye/face wash equipment shall comply with AS 4775.
NOTE: AS 4775 contains design, installation and maintenance provisions for emergency safety shower,
eyewash and eye/face wash equipment.

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AS/NZS 2243.3:2022

11.2 Personal protective equipment

11.2.1 General

Personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing can act as a barrier to minimize the risk of
exposure to aerosols, splashes and accidental inoculation and shall be worn when working in
microbiological containment facilities. The equipment shall be selected to suit the type of work being
performed and the potential risk of exposure.
NOTE Refer to AS 2243.1 for detailed information on the types and use of PPE.

All PPE shall be removed and hands decontaminated prior to leaving the laboratory or containment
facility.

11.2.2 Laboratory coats, gowns, coveralls and aprons

Long-sleeved, back-fastening gowns or coveralls should be used as they give better protection than
laboratory coats. Those with adjustable or elasticized closures at the wrists or the use of oversleeves
are recommended. Where necessary to give further protection against spillage of chemicals or
biological materials such as blood or culture fluids, fluid resistant gowns or aprons should be worn
over gowns or laboratory coats.
NOTE See Appendix G for PPE associated with BSCs.

11.2.3 Footwear

Closed footwear shall be worn, i.e. footwear that covers the toes, upper foot, and heels. Where
specific safety or specialized footwear is required for a particular hazard, it shall be selected in
accordance with AS/NZS 2210 (all parts).
NOTE Dedicated facility footwear or over-boots should be considered where there is a risk of
contaminated material being removed on footwear.

11.2.4 Eye and face protection

Protective eyewear [i.e. safety glasses (prescription/non-prescription), goggles, face shields and
hoods] shall be worn where there is a risk of damage to the eyes or contamination to the body through
the eyes and in consultation with a risk assessment.

The wearing of contact lenses or prescription spectacles are not considered protective eyewear.
NOTE Refer to AS 2243.1 for information on the selection and use of eye protection. Refer also to
AS/NZS 1336, AS/NZS 1337 (all parts) and AS/NZS 1338 (all parts) for eye protection requirements and
recommendations.

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11.2.5 Respiratory protection

Microbiological work should be planned to limit the reliance on respiratory protection equipment
(RPE). Most laboratory work with microorganisms transmissible to humans by the respiratory route is
conducted in containment equipment such as a BSC. RPE shall be used when carrying out highly
hazardous procedures, e.g. when cleaning up a spill of material containing microorganisms
transmissible by the aerosol route and handling animals infected with zoonotic agents transmissible
by the respiratory route. Where possible, animals infected with zoonotic agents transmissible to
humans by the respiratory route are housed in ventilated cages fitted with exhaust HEPA filters.

The various types of RPE available provide different levels of respiratory protection. To protect
against contaminants in the atmosphere, exposure standards have been determined for particulates
and specific chemicals. AS/NZS 1715 provides information on the types of RPE, types of filters and
the selection of appropriate RPE for a particular situation. AS/NZS 1715 also describes the two ways
of providing personal respiratory protection, i.e. purifying the air that a person breathes and supplying
the person with respirable air.

Protection factors (PFs), which are a measure of the degree of protection afforded by a particular
respirator, shall be used to determine the reduction in exposure that a particular respirator type can be
expected to provide. These can be used to assist in the selection of RPE. These values have been
determined mainly for particulates and chemicals (see Bibliography, References 1.5, 1.6 and 1.7), but
similar values shall be obtained (see Table 11.1) when RPE is tested against aerosolized bacterial
and fungal spores (see Bibliography, Reference 18).

Remaining text and Table 11.1 not included here.

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AS/NZS 2243.4:2022

Appendix B
(Normative)

Biological Hazard Signs

B.1. Biological hazard symbol

The biological hazard symbol is as specified in AS 1319, and is recognized worldwide, e.g. by the
World Health Organization and the United Nations Committee on the Transport of Dangerous Goods.
Signs with this symbol are readily available from commercial sources of laboratory or medical
supplies.

The colour scheme for signs incorporating the biological hazard symbol shall be a black symbol on a
yellow background as specified in AS 1319 and ISO 3864 (all parts) for all warning signs.

B.2 General microbiological laboratory sign

The sign for general microbiological laboratories shall be in accordance with AS 1319. That is, the
sign shall show the biological hazard symbol and the laboratory containment level. The colours used
in the sign shall be black for the symbol and writing on a yellow background as specified for safety
signs in AS 1319 and ISO 3864 (all parts).

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AS/NZS 2243.4:2022

Appendix C
(Normative)

Water and gas supplies to containment facilities

C.1. Scope

This appendix provides requirements for the prevention of contamination of water and gas supplies,
prevention of cross-contamination between different level facilities and general gas supply
requirements.

C.2. Water supplies

C.2.1 Backflow prevention

In addition to high hazard rating boundary containment protection in accordance with AS/NZS 3500
(all parts) and local authority requirements, individual backflow prevention devices to suit a high
hazard rating situation shall be installed in the following water supply lines as illustrated in Figure C.1:

a) To potable water outlets, including hand basins, safety showers, eyewash stations and body
showers for PC3 and PC4 laboratories where the laboratory room forms the primary
containment measure, e.g. large animal rooms. Separate protection shall be provided to each
laboratory of facility.
b) To laboratory sink outlets. Separate protection shall be provided to each PC3 or PC4
laboratory facility.
NOTE 1 Protection may be shared for Laboratory PC1 and PC2 facilities.

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c) To outlets within Class II BSCs.


NOTE 2 Protection may be shared within a single room.
Separate protection shall be provided for each room.
d) To outlets for animal drinking water and plant watering and for aquatic facility water supplies.
NOTE 3 Protection may be shared for PC1 and PC2 facilities.
Separate protection shall be provided to each PC3 or PC4 facility.
NOTE 4 No additional protection is required between the general site protection and potable water outlets
including hand basins, safety showers, eyewash stations and body showers for PC1 and PC2 laboratories
and for PC3 and PC4 laboratories where the laboratory room forms the secondary containment measure.

C.2.2 Looped services

For PC1, PC2, PC3 and PC4 facilities where the room forms the secondary containment measure,
looped service outlets rather than those outlets connected to primary containment equipment and
those in BSC Class II should be provided with the minimum piping inside the facility.
NOTE Examples of looped services include water from reverse osmosis systems and demineralized water.

For BSC Class II and within PC3 and PC4 facilities where the room forms the primary containment
measure (e.g. large animal facilities, plant facilities), looped service outlets should be avoided. The
preferred method of supplying water is by carrying it in containers that can be decontaminated using
pressure steam sterilization. If outlets are provided they shall have backflow prevention in the form of
one of the following options, preferably that in Item (a):

a) A 0.2 um membrane filter shall be inserted in the piping just prior to the outlet [see Figure
C.2(a)].
b) Reverse flow protection including alarms shall be provided [see Figure C.2(b)].

All looped service outlets shall be accompanied by a sign containing the wording “Looped service
outlet: Maintain an air gap at all times”.

For sealed loop services, such as cooling water loops and sealed steam/condensate circuits, no
backflow prevention is required. Systems shall be tested, at a minimum, annually to confirm that the
seal is maintained. Isolation shall be provided within the facility for service and maintenance. For
facilities that require gaseous decontamination capability, systems shall be capable of withstanding
gaseous decontamination in both assembled and dismantled states.

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C.3 Gas services

C.3.1 General gas service requirements

The following general requirements shall apply to gas services in microbiological containment
facilities:

a) All gases shall be reticulated at the lowest practical pressure.


b) Systems shall incorporate flow limiting or free flow protection devices in situations where
excessive flow could be a health hazard (poison or asphyxiation risk).
c) The provision of gas outlets shall be minimized in laboratories where breathing apparatus is
used. A risk assessment shall be undertaken to determine the need for –
i. fail safe isolation of laboratory gas in the event of ventilation system failure;
ii. flow restriction, such as through calibrated orifice; and
iii. gas leakage detection.

C.3.2 Backflow prevention

Reverse flow protection shall be provided between the facility’s piped gas service and outlets in the
following gas services as illustrated in figure C.3:

a) To outlets in PC3 and PC4 laboratories where the laboratory room forms the primary
containment measure. Separate protection shall be provided to each laboratory or facility [see
also Clause C.3.1(c)].
b) To outlets within Class II BSC. Protection may be shared within a single room. Separate
protection shall be provided for each room.
c) To outlets such as aquatic aeration devices where discharge is beneath the surface of the
water.

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UTAS Internal PC2 Certification Checklist
March 2025 – Version 1.0

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