On behalf of Dr. Farhad Memarzadeh, P.E., Director, Division of Technical Resources, Office of Research Facilities at the National Institutes of Health, attached please find NIH’s Biomedical Research Facility Technical Criteria "News to Use”.
The purpose of ‘News to Use’ is to raise technical awareness regarding state of the art innovation and the importance of attention to detail in designing highly complex biomedical facilities. The concise one page monthly articles condense important technical criteria in the Design Requirements Manual (DRM) and place emphasis on flexible design, safety and health of the occupants, security, and protection of the environment. Each article guides the reader to the appropriate section of the DRM for additional topic detail.
NIH DRM is used worldwide by A/Es in designing state of the art biomedical laboratory and animal research facilities. The DRM is the most comprehensive design manual of its kind and the only prescriptive biomedical research laboratory and animal research facilities guidelines in the U.S. Although the DRM promulgates minimum performance design standards for NIH facilities, it also ensures that those facilities will be of the highest quality to support biomedical research. The NIH conducts bioenvironmental research to improve indoor air quality while saving energy in biomedical laboratories and animal research facilities. The results of these studies have been cited and adopted as national and international standards for labs and hospitals.
If you have further questions or comments please direct them to: mario.orellana@nih.gov
If you would like to be added to the monthly emailings send your email address to: mario.orellana@nih.gov and put in the subject line News to Use.
Design for Maintainability - October 2023 News To Use(262KB) 508
No News to Use Publication for September 2023
Animal and Lab Lighting Control - August 2023 News to Use(640KB) 508
No News to Use Publication for July 2023
Building Enclosure Commissioning and Testing - June 2023 News to Use(262KB) 508
Water Leak Detection Systems for High Value Assets - May 2023 News to Use(236KB) 508
Mechanical Commissioning - Part 2 - April 2023 News to Use(233KB) 508
Mechanical Commissioning - Part 1 - March 2023 News to Use(233KB) 508
Risk Assessment Tool for Critical Facilities - February 2023 News to Use(289KB) 508
Architectural Commissioning: An Overview - January 2023 News to Use(267KB) 508
News to Use 2022 Issues(1.5MB) 508
Existing Conditions Investigations for Renovation Projects - December 2022 News to Use(220KB) 508
Manifold Exhaust Requirements and ANSI ASSP Z9.5-2022 - November 2022 News to Use(285KB) 508
Combatting Legionella in Healthcare Facilities Part III - Plumbing Aspects for Legionella Control and Management - October 2022 News to Use(385KB) 508
Combatting Legionella in Healthcare Facilities Part 2 - Controlling Legionella - September 2022 News to Use(308KB) 508
Combatting Legionella in Healthcare Facilities Part 1 Overview - August 2022 News to Use(734KB) 508
No News to Use Publication for July 2022
Controlling Legionella in Healthcare Facility Water Systems Use of Copper Silver Ionization - June 2022 News to Use(393KB) 508
No News to Use Publication for May 2022
Radio Frequency-Electromagnetic Attenuated Design - April 2022 News to Use(373KB) 508
No News to Use Publication for March 2022
Modular Construction for Cleanroom Facilities - February 2022 News to Use(420KB) 508
No News to Use Publication for January 2022
News to Use 2021 Issues(891KB) 508
Maintaining Water Systems from Construction Through Occupancy - December 2021 News to Use(420KB) 508
Vestibule Types Airlocks Anterooms and Other Functions - November 2021 News to Use(421KB) 508
Veterinary Surgical Suites Part lI - October 2021 News to Use(524KB) 508
Veterinary Surgical Suites Part I - September 2021 News to Use(309KB) 508
No News to Use Publication for August 2021
No News to Use Publication for July 2021
Understanding Nanotechnology and Nano Facilities - June 2021 News To Use(255KB) 508
Reliability in Mechanical Systems Design - May 2021 News To Use(308KB) 508
Sealant Joints – Part 3 Quality Execution Performance - April 2021 News to Use(315KB) 508
Sealant Joints – Part 2 Joint Design - March 2021 News to Use(326KB) 508
Sealant Joints – Part 1 Sealant Properties - February 2021 News to Use(317KB) 508
Light Control for Laboratory Glazing - January 2021 News to Use(272KB) 508
News to Use 2020 Issues(591KB) 508
Acoustical Door Design - December 2020 News to Use(281KB) 508
Laboratory Door Design Considerations - November 2020 News to Use(273KB) 508
Standard Operating Procedures and Lab Designs - October 2020 News to Use(272KB) 508
Laboratory Floor Drains, Floor Sinks, and Traps - September 2020 News to Use(301KB) 508
Backflow Prevention in Water Supply Systems (Part 2) - August 2020 News to Use(263KB) 508
Backflow Prevention in Water Supply Systems (Part 1) - July 2020 News to Use(236KB) 508
Accessibility Law ABA and ADA Differences - June 2020 News to Use(298KB) 508
ANSI-ASSP Z9.14-2020 - May 2020 News to Use(297KB) 508
Preparing for FDA Pre-Operational Review of APF Projects (Part Two) - April 2020 News to Use(251KB) 508
Preparing for FDA Pre-Operational Review of APF Projects (Part One) - March 2020 News to Use(248KB) 508
Designing for Leak and Flood Resistance - February 2020 News to Use(225KB) 508
Ice Machine - January 2020 News to Use(224KB) 508
News to Use 2019 Issues(2.4MB) 508
Pre-Design and Evolution of Design Part II - December 2019 News to Use (410KB) 508
Pre-Design and Questionnaire Part I - November 2019 News to Use (242KB) 508
Pipe Testing Part II - October 2019 News to Use(227KB) 508
Sound Design Metrics - September 2019 News to Use(295KB) 508
APF Closeout Documentation - August 2019 News to Use(246KB) 508
Pipe Testing Part I - July 2019 News to Use (403KB) 508
Seismic Design Parameters - June 2019 News to Use(316KB) 508
Emergency Eye Wash (EEW) Equipment and backflow prevention - May 2019 News to Use(222KB) 508
DRM Update Landscaping - April 2019 News to Use(274KB) 508
The Design Requirements Desk Guide - March 2019 News to Use(441KB) 508
Corrosive Storage Cabinets - February 2019 News to Use(253KB) 508
Appendix O.1 Insect Facilities - January 2019 News to Use(333KB) 508
News to Use 2018 Issues(845KB) 508
Planning for Oversized Equipment - December 2018 News to Use (315KB) 508
Quality Assurance and Quality Control - November 2018 News to Use (159KB) 508
DRM Update Grooved Piping - October 2018 News to Use (194KB) 508
APF Doors Frames & Hardware - September 2018 News to Use(136KB) 508
BAS & EMS Systems - August 2018 News to Use(152KB) 508
Ceiling Heights in Laboratories - July 2018 News to Use(152KB) 508
Demising Partition Acoustic Requirements - June 2018 News to Use(199KB) 508
Request for Variance - May 2018 News to Use(241KB) 508
Risk Assessment and Disaster Planning - April 2018 News to Use(177KB) 508
Postformed Plastic Laminate - March 2018 News to Use(258KB) 508
DRM Chapter 13 Aseptic Production Facilities - February 2018 News to Use(171KB) 508
Light Gauge Steel Wall Framing - January 2018 News to Use (149KB) 508
News to Use 2017 Issues(538KB) 508
Vision Panels in Laboratory Doors - December 2017 News to Use (166KB) 508
The Design Review Process - November 2017(153KB) 508
Architectural Mock-Ups - October 2017 Edition(150KB) 508
Environmental Design Requirements for Mechanical and Electrical Spaces (Part 2) - September 2017 Edition(145KB) 508
Environmental Design Requirements for Mechanical and Electrical Spaces - August 2017 Edition(138KB) 508
Equipment Schedule DRM Appendix G - July 2017 Edition(183KB) 508
Room Data Sheets DRM Appendix F - June 2017 Edition(156KB) 508
A E Submission Requirements DRM Appendix E - May 2017 Edition(166KB) 508
Finishes for Aseptic Facilities - April 2017 Edition(136KB) 508
Research Laboratory Planning Fundamentals - March 2017 Edition(143KB) 508
Electrical Work Space - February 2017 Edition(159KB) 508
The 2016 NIH Design Requirements Manual - January 2017 Edition (147KB) 508
News to Use 2016 Issues (979KB) 508
Sound Control for Open Offices - December 2016 Edition (211KB) 508
Managing the Commissioning Process Part II - November 2016 Edition (209KB) 508
Managing the Commissioning Process Part I - October 2016 Edition (250KB) 508
Slip Resistance - September 2016 Edition (273KB) 508
Interior Gypsum Board - August 2016 Edition (254KB) 508
Electrical System Neutral and Ground - July 2016 Edition (159KB) 508
Lactation Room Requirements - June 2016 Edition (171KB) 508
ANSI-ASSE Z9.11-2016 Laboratory Decommissioning Update and Revision - May 2016 Edition (211KB) 508
Wall Protection - April 2016 Edition (232KB) 508
Equipment Planning - March 2016 Edition (124KB) 508
Wall Shelving - February 2016 Edition (148KB) 508
Resilient Bases - January 2016 Edition (103KB) 508
News to Use 2015 Issues (1.3MB) 508
Concrete and Sustainability - December 2015 Edition (188KB) 508
Single Phase Protection - November 2015 Edition (221KB) 508
Vinyl Composition Tile - October 2015 Edition (111KB) 508
Improving Design Using 3D Visualization - September 2015 Edition (348KB) 508
Cooling Coil and Drain Pan Requirements for Air Handling Units - August 2015 Edition (102KB) 508
Reliability of Electrical Systems - July 2015 Edition (101KB) 508
Operable Windows - June 2015 Edition (99KB) 508
Project Close-out - May 2015 Edition (113KB) 508
NIH Design Requirements Manual 2015 Update - April 2015 Edition (101KB) 508
Epoxy Resin Benchtops - March 2015 Edition (126KB) 508
Phenolic Resin Panels in Laboratories - February 2015 Edition (156KB) 508
Laboratory Plastic Laminate - January 2015 Edition (489KB) 508
Plumbing Requirements for Animal Biosafety Level 3 Laboratories - December 2014 Edition (117KB) 508
Plumbing Requirements for Biosafety Level 3 Laboratories - November 2014 Edition (109KB) 508
Construction Drawing Graphics and Graphic Presentation - September 2014 Edition (102KB) 508
BSL-3 ABSL-3 HVAC System Requirements - Part 2 - July 2014 Edition (73KB) 508
BSL-3 ABSL-3 HVAC System Requirements - Part 1 - June 2014 Edition (73KB) 508
BSL-3 ABSL-3 Electrical Requirements - May 2014 Edition (125KB) 508
BSL-3 Planning - Part 3 Autoclave Fundamentals - April Edition (77KB) 508
BSL-3 Planning - Part 2 The Barrier - March 2014 Edition (201KB) 508
BSL-3 Planning - Part 1 The Barrier - February 2014 Edition (130KB) 508
Environmental Management - January 2014 Edition (62KB) 508
Generator Fuel Supply - December 2013 Edition (80KB) 508
Generator Physical Installation and Mechanical Requirements - November 2013 Edition (77KB) 508
NIH Fume Hood Testing Protocol - October 2013 Edition (79KB) 508
Piping Insulation Systems - September 2013 Edition (80KB) 508
Floors in Vivariums - August 2013 Edition (74KB) 508
Ceiling Options in Vivariums - July 2013 Edition (79KB) 508
Wall Construction in Vivariums - June 2013 Edition (76KB) 508
Clearance for Equipment Access and Service - May 2013 Edition (183KB) 508
Facility Design Criteria for Electron Microscopes Part II - April 2013 Edition (81KB) 508
Facility Design Criteria for Electron Microscopes Part I - March 2013 Edition (101KB)
Building Automation Systems Part 2 - February 2013 Edition (308KB)
Building Automation Systems Part 1 - January 2013 Edition (89KB)
News to Use 2012 Issues (835KB) 508
Animal Drinking Water - Part 2 - December 2012 Edition (259KB) 508
Animal Drinking Water - Part 1 - November 2012 Edition (247KB) 508
Integrated Pest Management Program - October 2012 Edition (92KB) 508
Animal Clinical Compressed Gas Systems - September 2012 Edition (93KB) 508
Central Vacuum Systems - August 2012 Edition (95KB) 508
Commissioning Requirements - July 2012 Edition (94KB) 508
Structural Load Requirements - June 2012 Edition (91KB) 508
Laboratory Casework Requirements - May 2012 Edition (87KB) 508
Animal Research Facility Lighting and Controls - April 2012 Edition (91KB) 508
Compressed Gas Systems for Medical Use - March 2012 Edition (89KB) 508
Compressed Gas Systems - February 2012 Edition (57KB) 508
NIH Laboratory Sealant Requirements - January 2012 Edition (108KB) 508
News to Use 2011 Issues (827KB) 508
High Purity Water Systems - December 2011 Edition (94KB) 508
Interior Finishes in Biomedical and Animal Research Facilities - November 2011 Edition (87KB) 508
Special Requirements for Laboratories using Radioactive Materials - October 2011 Edition (89KB) 508
Sustainable Design - September 2011 Edition (77KB) 508
Variable Frequency Drive - August 2011 Edition (288KB) 508
Power Quality - July 2011 Edition (69KB) 508
Introduction to NIH Building Automation Systems - June 2011 Edition (72KB) 508
Applications of Sealants in Biomedical and Animal Research Facilities - May 2011 Edition (73KB) 508
HVAC Thermal Insulation Systems - April 2011 Edition (242KB) 508
Noise in Biomedical Research Laboratories and Animal Facilities - March 2011 Edition (71KB) 508
Backflow Prevention Devices - February 2011 Edition (79KB) 508
Emergency Power - January 2011 Edition (69KB) 508
Vibration Criteria - December 2010 Edition (67KB) 508
HVAC - Exhaust Air Systems - November 2010 Edition (73KB) 508
HVAC - Air Distribution Systems - October 2010 Edition (74KB) 508
Heating Ventilation and Cooling (HVAC) System Redundancy - September 2010 Edition (70KB) 508
Piping Systems - Design and Materials - August 2010 Edition (91KB) 508
Fume Hood Requirements and Testing - July 2010 Edition (331KB) 508
Placement of a Biological Safety Cabinet in the Laboratory - June 2010 Edition (73KB) 508
Animal Research Facility Design Requirements - May 2010 Edition (74KB) 508
Biomedical Laboratory Design Requirements - April 2010 Edition (237KB) 508
