The 2008 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Design Requirements Manual for Biomedical Laboratories and Animal Research Facilities (DRM), formerly called the NIH Design Policy and Guidelines, is the only detailed design requirements and guidance manual for biomedical research laboratory and animal research facilities in the U.S. Compliance to the DRM, which promulgates minimum performance design standards for NIH owned and leased new buildings and renovated facilities, ensures that those facilities will be of the highest quality to support Biomedical research. 

The Division of Technical Resources (DTR) in the NIH Office of Research Facilities (ORF) is responsible for developing and maintaining the DRM. It is also responsible for reviewing and approving its content and organization. DTR pursue, research and test state-of-the-art and innovative technology that may be applicable to biomedical research facilities, and incorporating research results and lessons-learned from the design and construction of NIH’s unique biomedical research facilities into the DRM.  The DRM is a dynamic document.  Revisions are made as necessary.  The Architect/Engineer (A/E) should refer to the revisions page before each use of the DRM to note any updates that have been made since the last use.  The entire DRM will be revised on a three year cycle. 

The DTR maintains state-of-the-art knowledge and develops new technologies to improve energy efficiency, maintenance and operations.   ORF has conducted studies that are the basis for NIH’s Bio-Environmental Engineering Research Program. These studies have set numerous National and International Standards for Better Indoor Air Quality and Greater Energy Conservation. The following standard setting organizations have adopted the NIH research findings: American National Standard Institutes (ANSI), American Society of Heating and Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Academy of Architecture for Health, and the International Academy on Indoor Air Quality The results of these studies are incorporated in the 2008 DRM and new information will be added as it becomes available.

The 2008 edition constitutes a major restructuring and reorganization of the 2003 edition, with the addition of a vast amount of new and updated information for the A/E to use in the facility design process.  The content additions and updates are based on lessons learned, original research and state-of-the-art technology and include:

a) NIH requirements for BSL/ABSL-3 & 4 (NEW)
b) Controls and Control Sequences (NEW)
c) NIH Commissioning Philosophy
d) NIH Decommissioning Philosophy
e) Enhanced vibration and noise criteria (NEW)
f) Strategy for an alternative means of performing pressure decay testing in a BSL-4 laboratory (NIH Equivalency Strategy) (NEW)
g) Caulking Checklist for Maximum Containment (NEW)
h) NIH Sustainability Philosophy and Requirements (NEW)

 
DTR established:

• 8 technical committees and an Executive Steering Committee to advise on DRM content.
• The committees included Mechanical, Plumbing, Controls, Special Topics, Electrical,   Architectural, Animal Facilities, and Biocontainment. 
• During 2005/2006 there were over 250 meeting hours
• More than 150 participants contributing their time.
• Technical expertise was provided by the Office of Research Services (ORS), Divisions of Radiation Safety (DRS), Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS), Fire Marshal (DFM), Police (DP), and Physical Security Management (DPSM), NIH Institutes and Centers (IC), other federal agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and representatives from the private sector.   

The NIH Design Requirements Manual aligns the NIH facilities program with the ORF mission of: “Supporting NIH priorities by providing safe, secure, sound, healthy, and attractive facilities.” This manual also aligns the ORF with a national imperative to be good stewards of America’s real property assets. We extend our sincerest thanks to all of the people who helped to make the NIH Design Requirements Manual a reality.

              / S /                            August 27th 2008                   
Farhad Memarzadeh, Ph.D., P.E.
Director; Division of Technical Resources 


             / S /                            August 27th 2008                   
Daniel G. Wheeland, P.E.
Director; Office of Research Facilities Development and Operations

Sponsors of the Design Requirements Manual

Farhad Memarzadeh, P.E., Ph.D.
Director, Division of Technical Resources
National Institutes of Health
Building 13
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland 20892

Deborah Wilson, Ph.D.
Director, Division of Occupational Health and Safety
National Institutes of Health
Building 13
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland 20892