KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the fight against tuberculosis (TB), the deadliest infectious disease in the world. KNCV is an international center of excellence for TB control that promotes effective, efficient, innovative and sustainable tuberculosis control strategies in a national and international context. Our multidisciplinary team of passionate professionals covers a broad range of expertise such as programmatic TB control, research, clinical management, social science, education, digital health, and project management.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Consultant to Perform Verification of the BSL3 laboratory in Dr. Lawrence Henshaw Memorial Hospital
Location: Calabar, Cross-River
Location: Calabar, Cross-River
Brief background
Biosafety level (BSL) laboratories are designed and equipped to safely handle pathogens and other potentially hazardous materials. There are basically 4 levels of safety (known as biosafety level 1 to 4), which vary widely in type and degree of risk of materials that can be safely handled. Indigenous (like Mycobacterium) or exotic agents that have a potential for respiratory transmission and which may cause serious and potentially lethal infections, are handled in BSL3 laboratories.
Biosafety level (BSL) laboratories are designed and equipped to safely handle pathogens and other potentially hazardous materials. There are basically 4 levels of safety (known as biosafety level 1 to 4), which vary widely in type and degree of risk of materials that can be safely handled. Indigenous (like Mycobacterium) or exotic agents that have a potential for respiratory transmission and which may cause serious and potentially lethal infections, are handled in BSL3 laboratories.
The BSL3 laboratory in Dr. Lawrence Henshaw Memorial Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State was commissioned on 21st April 2009 for TB diagnosis and treatment monitoring of primarily DR-TB in-patients. It has known a long history of suboptimal performance owning to the complicated air-handling unit (heating, ventilation & air conditioning HVAC) design that was difficult to maintain. Challenge TB supports the renovation of Calabar BSL3 laboratory to ensure the consistent and optimal functionality of the laboratory at all time. This is done through a sub-award to the Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria and is being handled by Germfree Inc. USA, an international contractor. Certification of the BSL3 laboratory will be conducted by Germfree Company after renovation. It’s important for an accredited independent body to conduct a performance verification of the BSL3 after certification, to technically validate the work of the Germfree. This will allow for the handover of a functional and safe BSL3 Lab to the National TB and Leprosy Control Program.
Purpose of the Assignment
- To evaluate and verify functionality of all components of the BSL3 laboratory and ensure the laboratory is conforming to international standards.
Deliverables
- Verification of presence of the project related documentation such as equipment specification, manuals, HVAC automation algorithms, certificates, user guidelines and SOPs related to the HVAC system operation, maintenance and troubleshooting.
- Perform 2 day system dry run under normal operational conditions, register major ventilation parameters and mains voltage every 30 minutes, record any deviations and abnormalities.
- Conduct verification of HVAC and related infrastructure functionality under failure conditions or conditions requiring maintenance:
- Mechanical failure of exhaust fan engine or fan components
- Clogged air supply/exhaust filters
- latency period in hours for UPS system from fully discharged to fully charged state
- Presence of alternative power supply sources, beyond the capacity of UPS system (e.g. generators, PV power sources), its engagement algorithm and capacity. Presence of the separate backup power line inside the laboratory with appropriately labeled sockets.
- Presence of the grounding line and connection of the equipment that requires grounded installation to this line.
- Verify that all critical equipment that requires uninterruptable power supply is connected to the backup line.
- Functionality of Uninterruptable Power Supply system in case of a power failure of main supply (major line failure and backup line failure) functionality of supply/exhaust fans and related electrical components of the system under UPS operation
- Return from power failure to “normal’’ operating conditions
- Check the system for possible backflows during transition periods
- Maximum operational capacity (kVA and minutes of operation) of UPS with connected load
- Check the system capability to inform customer about critical conditions such as phase swapping after scheduled power line repairs or power failure.
- Verify absence of cracks, breaks or unsealed penetrations in the structural elements of the laboratory premises.
- Verify type of the floor, walls and ceiling cover/painting.
- Check quality of sealings of doors, windows and other structural penetrations.
- Verify absence of the air leaks and level of airtightness of the ducting system (according to DIN EN 13779, if feasible).
- Verify Air Changes per Hour (ACH) for each room and air balancing between premises according to the original project specification.
- Verify air temperature according to the original specification.
- Verify air distribution patterns with relation to BSCs functionality and workflow.
- Verify door interlock functionality under normal operations and in case of emergency (fire alarm, ventilation alarm).
- Verify correct execution of the annual certification of biological safety cabinets.
- Verify that the means of detecting air flow (magnehelic or digital gauges, etc.) accurately reflect observed air flow.
- Verify inward directional airflow.
- Verify presence of warning signs (physical and biological hazards), air flow direction, supply/exhaust ducts labeling
- Verify class and capacity of all filters installed in HVAC system.
- Verify sufficiency of implemented engineering solutions for HVAC HEPA filter maintenance (installation, decontamination, verification, removal).
- Verify certification of the laboratory HVAC HEPA filter.
- Verify functionality the exhaust fan motors
- Verify that seals on centrifuges, transfer boxes and other equipment are in good state.
- Verify functionality of drench showers, eye wash stations and hands-free sinks.
- Verify proper functioning of the decontamination systems and annual certification wherever is applicable (autoclaves, room decontamination systems, digesters, liquid effluent system, etc.).
- Verify ability of the HVAC (building) automation system to monitor and record performance measurements e.g. differential pressure, Air Changes per Hour (ACH), temperature; power on/off events, operation hours and critical events. If system is in place and functional it should be used for continuous logging of the parameters during dry run, in addition to the periodic measurements.
- Verify functionality of alarms (fire, airflow. security etc.) to ensure conformity to established specification
- Verify presence of the restricted access system and describe user access levels and rules.
- Verify presence of the Emergency evacuation plan in case of fire and Fire plan, check presence and certification of fire extinguishers and other means of firefighting measures
- Verify presence of the First Aid kit(s), its accessibility and content (according local regulations)
The outcome(s) for each verification point should be reflected in the report and wherever necessary/applicable, supported by evidence such as extracts from the project related documentation, comments, recorded figures, pictures, photographs etc.
Ultimately, each point should give a conclusion on whether verified parameter is in compliance with BSL3 requirements or not and recommendations if necessary. The proposed grading:
- Fully compliant
- Partially compliant
- Non-compliant; non-critical
- Non-compliant; critical.
Recommended guideline: “Assessment Tool for Key Processes associated with the Design, Construction, Operation, Maintenance and Regulation of BSL3 Facilities in the WHO African Region”, http://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/246157 WHO, Regional Office for Africa.
Reporting Lines:
- The TA individual or organization operates under the supervision of the CTB Country Director in Nigeria and if applicable the Deputy Country Director and reports directly to the Country Director.
- All reports on the mission process and deliverables should be shared also with the KNCV Technical Focal point for the area and the (Senior) Portfolio Manager for final approval.
Timeframe & Locations
- Preparation: Preparation activities include: Obtaining relevant laboratory documentation (if accessible) and planning assessment activities in communication with the lab.
- Estimated time: 1 day.
- On-site activities: On-site evaluation and verification of functionality of all components of the BSL3 laboratory, Lawrence Henshaw Memorial Hospital Calabar, Cross-River State, Nigeria. Estimated time: 4 days on site.
- Reporting: One final report will be required on the above-mentioned assessment points according to the proposed grading.
- Estimated time: 2 days. Deadline: 2 days after onsite assessment.
Requirements
- Proven extensive experience with evaluation and verification of functionality of all components of a BSL3 laboratory;
- Familiarity with international, regional and national standards with regards to BSL3 laboratory design, safety and engineering and architectural quality standards;
- In possession of all relevant certifications;
- Excellent oral and writing skills in English.
Conditions
- A consultancy/service contract for 7 days
- A fee that is competitive for the scope of the assignment.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Application’s (with description of the proposed approach, Curriculum Vitae, proof of prior experience, proposed fee and proficiency in the stated assignment) to “KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, Jan Willem Dogger” via: janwillem.dogger@kncvtbc.org
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Application’s (with description of the proposed approach, Curriculum Vitae, proof of prior experience, proposed fee and proficiency in the stated assignment) to “KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, Jan Willem Dogger” via: janwillem.dogger@kncvtbc.org
Application Deadline 1st June, 2018
Note
- All necessary measuring tools and equipment should be provided by the selected consultant/organization, for which all relevant certifications need to be present and up to date.
- A statement to confirm this must be attached to the application.
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