Animal Facility Equipment

Laboratory animal facility equipment went through multiple and impressive technological and design evolutions marked by the availability of a larger range of options responding not only to animal welfare and 3Rs obligations, but also to the evolution of experimental needs and possibilities. Equipment selection and acquisition is obviously a major component of all animal facility projects and operational management, contributing in a major way both to better care and better science. In addition to these core issues, any progress in the field must also address more recent requirements such as their multi-component environmental impact (linked to environmental and societal responsibility) and the ever-growing increase of related costs (capital and operational expenditures), which require a close attention to cost management and operational efficiency. Finally, the quality system(s) of the institution (e.g.: GLP, AAALAC International, ISO), the research environment, and occupational health and safety requirements are also to be taken into consideration to ensure the adequate level of overall compliance. This chapter reviews what categories and type of equipment should be considered for acquisition and use in an animal facility, not only for housing but also, more widely, for the overall management of the facility and the conduct of research projects. The purpose is not to get into details as species or research specificities are addressed in other chapters, but to share more general issues dealing with facility and equipment decision-making, project management as well as systems and equipment acquisition, installation, and use. These elements aim at providing support to facility design, renovation, and compliance (to regulations, quality standards, and applicable guidelines). A more detailed attention is paid to topics which are not addressed in other chapters, such as safety-related issues and protective equipment, or validation/qualification processes applicable to animal facility equipment.