Room Conditions
1.General
1.An animal room must be kept clean, quiet, and uncluttered. The use of procedure rooms is encouraged whenever possible. Research procedures which are permitted within the room include injections, blood collection, examinations and other noninvasive techniques. Procedures which are not permitted in the animal room, except in a vented biosafety cabinet, include surgery, euthanasia and necropsy. Exceptions may be made in special circumstances such as quarantine..
2.Light
1.Light levels should be adequate for the animal to perform normal behaviors and for the animal care giver to perform their duties. Diffuse lighting in the range of 130-325 lux are normal for mammal husbandry.
2.The light cycle should be appropriate for the biology of the animal, if consistent with experimental goals. A diurnal 12 hour light cycle for most species and 14 hour light /10 hour dark for breeding colonies of rats and mice are standard. 3.Reversal of the cycle or alteration of the cycle may be desirable depending on the experiment.
3.Ventilation
1.Ventilation for rooms housing mammalian species must be adequate to provide oxygen and remove chemical, biological, and heat waste. The standard rate is 10-15 air changes per hour. Lower levels may be acceptable if animal density in the room is low. Fresh air supply and 100% exhaust air to the outside is the standard ventilation requirement.
2.Room ventilation should normally be adjusted to maintain room pressure relative to the corridor as positive for SPF animals or negative if the room is serving as an isolation room.
3.Ventilation ducts and filters should be cleaned at least monthly.
4.Temperature
1.Temperature in rooms should be maintained in a range suitable for the species of animal and the animals should be protected from abrupt changes.
2.A range of 68 F to 74 F is standard for mammals.
3.Amphibians, reptiled, fish, birds and animals adapted to outdoor environments may have different needs.
4.Temperature ranges for many animals are specified in the Animal Welfare Act and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
5.Noise
1.Animals may detect different sound frequencies than do human beings. Therefore, noise in animal rooms should be minimized whenever possible.
2.Playing music in animal rooms is not allowed, although it may be permitted under some circumstances to provide enrichment or "white noise".
3.Noise from mechanical equipment in adjacent areas should be avoided.
Some species may experience reproductive problems when exposed to excessive noise.
6.Sanitation
1.Room surfaces should be constructed of material that is easily sanitized.
2.Floors, counters and sinks should be cleaned daily.
3.Other room surfaces, including cage racks, should be sanitized monthly.