Containment Facilities

A single facility may have multiple types of certifications applied. Where this occurs, the requirements of each type of certification must be met.

OGTR certified physical containment facilities for work with GMOs

Certain work with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) must be undertaken in physical containment facilities that are certified by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR). The OGTR certifies facilities that meet the requirements set out in the relevant OGTR Guidelines for Certification of Physical Containment Facilities. The Research Compliance Officers inspect the facilities and submit applications to the OGTR.

You can recognise an OGTR-certified PC facility by signage on the door of the facility:

Microbiological physical containment facilities for work with biohazardous samples or organisms

Work with risk group 2 (or higher) microorganisms and samples known to contain these is undertaken in a microbiological physical containment (PC) facility. Microbiological PC facilities are assessed by and registered with the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).

The requirements that apply to microbiological containment facilities are described in Australian/New Zealand Standard 2243.3: Safety in Laboratories: Microbiological Safety and Containment. These can be accessed via the University library’s subscription to Australian Standards Online.

You can recognise a microbiological PC facility by the signage on the door:

Approved Arrangement biosecurity containment (BC) facilities for work with biosecurity-controlled goods

Certain work with imported biological goods must be undertaken in an Approved Arrangement certified by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). These are commonly referred to as biosecurity containment (BC) facilities. Requirements for certification of biosecurity facilities are described in the class specific conditions for operating approved arrangements – Class 5 facilities are the most commonly used for research.

You can recognise an Approved Arrangement by the signage on the door:

CA12 accredited laboratory certification for certain plant and soil materials

The South Australian Department of Primary Industries (PIRSA) require that certain facilities are accredited as CA12 facilities to receive grapevine, soil and plant diagnostic material. Contact PIRSA in the first instance for information on applying for CA12 accreditation.

There are four levels of containment for PC facilities, and for most AA facilities. These are in ascending order of the stringency of containment requirements:

• Physical Containment Level 1 (PC1) / Biosecurity Containment Level 1 (BC1)
• Physical Containment Level 2 (PC2) / Biosecurity Containment Level 2 (BC2)
• Physical Containment Level 3 (PC3) / Biosecurity Containment Level 3 (BC3)
• Physical Containment Level 4 (PC4) / Biosecurity Containment Level 4 (BC4)

There are many different types of containment facilities that are designed to contain different types of organisms. The most common examples that may be required for research activities at the University are listed below. Note that not all of these containment classes are available under each type of certification.

• Animal/terrestrial animal facility
• Aquatic/aquatic organism facility
• Constant temperature room
• Invertebrate facility
• Laboratory
• Large grazing animal facility
• Microbiological biosecurity facility
• Plant facility

Further information about types of containment facilities can be found in the Containment Facilities FAQ document.

To request an area to be certified as a physical containment facility or a biosecurity facility:

1. Refer to the relevant requirements to determine the type of facility and level of containment required:
   1. OGTR certified PC facilities.
   2. DAFF certified biosecurity facilities.
   3. Microbiological physical containment facilities (search for AS/NZS 2243.3 in the standards database).

Contact the Research Compliance Officers if you require assistance with determining your containment requirements. 

2. Contact the Research Compliance Officers to arrange a pre-certification inspection.

Email: ibc@adelaide.edu.au for physical containment facilities.
Email: importcompliance@adelaide.edu.au for biosecurity containment facilities.

Amanda Highet – ph. (08) 8313 6105
Jess Hall – ph. (08) 8313 3059

3. If the facility is deemed suitable for certification, the Research Compliance Officers will submit applications to external regulators as required.

Types of changes:

• varying a certification to add or remove rooms.
• suspending a certification.
• lifting a suspension.
• surrendering a certification.

Use this form to request changes to a facility certification.

When repairs or maintenance work are undertaken in a facility, all work with regulated biological materials must cease, and the facility or work area must be decontaminated before repairs are undertaken.

Most repairs or maintenance work in certified facilities requires suspension or variation of the facility certification prior to the work being undertaken.

• For any work in a biosecurity containment (AA) facility, contact the Research Compliance Officers well in advance of the proposed work as a suspension of the facility will likely be required. It is also possible that a Third-Party Assessment and DAFF audit may be required after completion of the works.
• For any work in an OGTR certified facility, check to see if the repairs or maintenance meet the criteria for minor works.
  • Minor works must meet the criteria for minor works, and the Research Compliance Officer must notify the OGTR at least 24 hours before commencement of the work. Use this form to request approval for minor works in a certified facility.
  • For any activities that do not meet the requirements for minor works, you must contact the Research Compliance Officers well in advance of the proposed work as a suspension or variation will be required.

Following completion of any repair or maintenance, the facility must be inspected for compliance with current guidelines by the Research Compliance Officer, who will then notify the relevant Regulatory Authority. Work with regulated biological materials cannot recommence in the facility until you are notified by the Research Compliance Officer.