PORTFOLIO
Global Health Research Building (GHRB) at Duke University Medical Center
Durham, NC
The Global Health Research Building (GHRB) was the first to open among a string of regional biocontainment labs funded by the National Institutes for Health. The 33,145 square foot facility houses 17,000 square feet of Biosafety Level 2 and 3 laboratory space dedicated to the development of drugs, vaccines and diagnostics for emerging infections and biodefense. The GHRB will also provide surge capacity in the event of a public health emergency.
Kirlin provided and installed the mechanical systems for the GHRB, which included four custom Air Handling Units totaling 58,500 cfm, a steam boiler, two exhaust air handling units totaling 50,000 cfm, 36 custom HEPA Filter Containment systems and over 117,000 pounds of sheet metal. Additionally, Kirlin provided and installed over 20 plumbing and piping systems throughout the building and its labs. Cleaning and flushing, testing and balancing, as well as commissioning support for all installed mechanical equipment were provided prior to turning over the facility.
By design, the building also provides for 100% redundancy for both the mechanical and plumbing systems. The DDC controls system not only provides for the expected temperature control of critical spaces and sequencing of air handling units, but also controls and monitors differential pressures and decontamination equipment within the BSL-2 Labs, BSL-3 Labs and Animal Rooms.
