University of Louisville – Center for Predictive Medicine – Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL)

ICE’s involvement in commissioning the Center for Predictive Medicine for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases at the University of Louisville exemplifies their expertise in ensuring the safety and functionality of complex laboratory facilities. As part of a larger initiative funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to enhance the nation’s biodefense and infectious disease research infrastructure, ICE was contracted to provide third-party independent MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) and controls commissioning services, specifically focusing on biosafety level three (BSL-3) and animal biosafety level three (ABSL-3) laboratory biocontainment barrier (BCB) envelope.

ICE’s involvement commenced during the early stages of the project, collaborating with the project design team to develop commissioning specifications and conducting multiple design reviews to ensure alignment with project objectives and federal guidelines. Throughout the construction phase, ICE performed comprehensive inspections of MEP systems and envelope integrity, reviewing submittals, and initiating Functional Performance Testing (FPT) with verification of the Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing (TAB) report.

The scope of systems commissioned by ICE was extensive and included: mechanical, electrical, laboratory airflow control system (LACS), BSL-3 and ABSL-3 Laboratory Space Pressure Integrity Testing, plumbing, and the energy management system.

ICE’s meticulous commissioning activities, including verifying interfaces between different systems and conducting pressure integrity testing, played a crucial role in certifying the facility for BSL-3 research operations and ensuring compliance with federal standards and LEED certification requirements. Overall, ICE’s contributions were instrumental in ensuring the safety, reliability, and efficiency of the Center for Predictive Medicine’s laboratory facilities.