Specifications.pdf

Poultry Isolator Specifications

USDA - USNPRC - SEPRL desires to purchase sixty-four (64) poultry isolators compatible with our current isolators. Characteristics as below:

Material:

All material used for isolator body, doors, plumbing, stands, etc. to be made of stainless steel as described herein. All gaskets, barriers and other equipment must be air tight. Any windows or light-admitting panels to be of suitable plastic – Clear on the front, translucent on the sides.

Size and arrangement of isolators:

Isolators are to be supplied to be stacked two high on a stainless steel metal rack with locking casters (that can withstand cleaning and disinfection without corrosion) to allow the rack to easily move for cleaning or repair.

Total size of isolators with fan motors, filters, all attachments, and stand should be approximately 45" wide by 30" deep by 85" high (1.14m wide by 0.76m deep by 2.16m high) in order to fit through current doorways and corridors.

Isolator box interior dimensions shall be approximately 36" wide by 24" deep (0.91m wide by 0.61m deep), with a height of 20" (0.51m) above the floor level, and 5" (0.13m) below the floor level to accommodate a fecal tray.

Arrangement and accessibility:

The entire front shall be hinged, so as to be able to open for cleaning and be gasketed with a water- impermeable, synthetic material to maintain air-tight barrier integrity. In addition, within the front panel there shall be a door for accessing the animal compartment. Doors shall have stainless steel hinges.

Inside of the front cover must be a stainless-steel metal wire screen with a spring-loaded flap door the same size of the outer door (bird-access) opening, and in line with it. The entire screen shall be easily removable for cleaning. As much as is practicable, the front panel and door must be a clear plastic such as Lexan® that will remain clear after exposure to disinfection chemicals. All doors and windows shall, through use of appropriate sealing material, prevent ingress of outside air when properly latched.

The floor must be a suspended plastic flooring designed for poultry and made from a material which is not damaged by disinfectants, of approximately 1" (2.54cm) square mesh that separates the upper area housing the birds and the lower area that contains the fecal catch tray.

The grate shall be removable. The grate must be sufficient to fully support the weight of the birds occupying the isolator without bending.

This would be equivalent to 25 pounds (11.3kg) evenly spread across the floor.

A removable tray of stainless steel must occupy the lower area and serve as a fecal catch tray that can be removed by opening the front panel for easy cleaning. The tray must be at least four inches in height, and sturdy enough to support the weight of water and/or droppings without twisting while being removed.

Door latches and other surfaces shall be snag-free to the extent possible, so that PPE will not get caught on cage equipment, and be of stainless steel construction.

Electronic controls, sensors, and other utilities shall be easily disconnected for maintenance and cleaning, and be accessible from the front side of the unit assembly (isolators plus rack).

Ventilation and heating:

Heat shall be provided by an electric coil heater bar or similar source, integral to the unit and be controlled by a digital thermostat that displays in large numbers the current isolator temperature. Temperature should be controllable between room temperature and 95°F (35°C) within +/- 4°F (+/-2°C) at a normal room temperature of 75°F (24°C). A thermometer shall be provided such that the interior temperature at bird level (about 4-6 inches from the floor) can be read from the front of the isolator, as a confirmation of the operation of the heating controls. The heater unit shall be removable, with a removable plate that holds all the necessary cabling and seals. The hole through which the cabling passes shall be at least 7.6cm by 12.7cm (3 in. by 5 in.), and should be located as close to the center of the top as possible, in order to provide for installation of future equipment. A blank plate shall be provided to cover this hole when the heater is not used and the heating unit is removed.

Isolators shall have pre-filters and HEPA filters on the intake and exhaust ports. Pre-filters on the intake and exhaust ports shall be easily changed.

Air movement shall be by way of a ventilator fan on the exhaust side, providing an air exchange rate of at least 15 times per hour, with a variable speed drive for adjustment.

The isolator shall operate at a pressure differential that is negative with respect to the room pressure. Pressure differential shall be shown by means of a Magnehelic gauge or equivalent. (No fluid-type manometer gauges).

Lighting

Interior lighting will be provided by the ambient light in the room, thus there must be sufficient clear/translucent panels to allow room light to fully penetrate into the interior. The front panel shall be clear, as described above in “Arrangement and accessibility”, while the side panels shall be translucent to prevent the occupants of the isolator from seeing into the isolators on either side.

Feed and water supply:

Feed supply tubes or equipment must be easily accessible for both top and bottom units, but not be located within the door.

Feed must be delivered to the middle of the feed bin. The port for the feed must be at least 1.5 inches in diameter and angled to allow access from the front of the isolator. The feed port must not have sharp angles.

Feed bins must have a metal screen (approximately 0.5" mesh) on the top to prevent birds from entering the feed bin.

Feed bin must be clear, or have a window of sufficient size on the side so that level of feed in the bin can be easily ascertained.

Feed bin must be against the side of the enclosure such that birds cannot go between the feeder and the wall. Feed bin shall extend the full depth of one side (approximately 23”), and be 3” wide.

Water shall be provided by nipple drinkers or cups, easily exchanged with one another. All water piping shall be food-grade. Watering equipment shall be mounted on the center of the side wall.

Height of feed and water sources shall be adjustable, and made such that they are secure and will not move due to activity of the birds or due to slippage of the mount or adjustment hardware.

Other considerations:

Isolators will be cleaned and decontaminated on a regular basis. This will expose them to certain harsh chemicals. Principal among these are Virkon- S (Potassium peroxymonosulfate}, paraformaldehyde fumigation (and ammonium carbonate neutralizer}, vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP), bleach, and ethyl alcohol. Materials used in the construction of the isolators and stands must be resistant to corrosion or other detrimental effects resulting from exposure to these chemicals.

All maintenance can be carried out from the front or side of the unit. No need to access the rear of the unit for most normal operations. Electronic controls, sensors, and other utilities shall be easily disconnected for maintenance and cleaning, and be located on the front or on the side at the front of the unit. Side mounted attachments can not protrude beyond the rack.

All inlet and exhaust ports shall have the ability to adapt the unit to a ducted air supply or exhaust. This can be a tubular extension sufficient to attach flexible ducting.

Note: Isolators should NOT have glovebox or access airlock.