Charles River Laboratories
Consulting & Staffing Services

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Flexible Film
SRI
HEPA
Port
Gasket
Magnahelic Gauge

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Used since 1950’s
Flexible Film or Rigid contruction
Biocontainment
 Negative Air Pressure
Bioexclusion
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Positive Air Pressure
“Biosecurity” at Charles
River

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Typical forward facing port
Gasket will change color when sealed properly
Hinge
Gasket
Clamp

Flexible
Front
HEPA
Filter
External
Filter
Glove
Arm

Nitrile Gloves
O-Rings
Electrical
Tape

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Snoop®
Apply liquid to area suspected of leak and watch for bubbles
Alternative
 Mild Soap solution

Negative
Positive

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Wescodyne®
Clidox
 Bleach Solution
Windex®/Cinch®
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Peracetic Acid
Chemical
Incompatibility
 Check MSDS

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Your back should always be as straight as possible.
Hydraulic tables allow the user to adjust the height!

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Filters should be checked daily
Filters need to be changed when the magnahelic gauge increases by 0.05
(i.e. from 1.0 to 1.5)

 Which filter assembly needs to be replaced?

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This rim should appear green even when stretched.
If small holes or cracks are present glove must be replaced.
Punctures from animal bites or instruments also warrant glove replacement.

Semi-Rigid Isolator Daily Checks and
Inspections
Glove and flexible surface checks
•Check the magnahelic gauge
•Pull the gloves inside out, pulling on the cuff only
•Check for holes, punctures, tears, or stretched areas
•Then recheck the magnahelic for proper pressure
•Wipe down the outside of the flexible front surface

Magnahelic
Gauge
Ball Valve
Fan Motor

Magnehelic gauge check
•Check gauge and record twice daily
•Gauge reads what the pressure is inside the isolator
(+.10 or -.10)
•Reads in Inches of Water
• Not reading proper pressure report immediately
• DO NOT adjust equipment unless properly trained

HEPA filter
External
Filter

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Disinfectants
Sharps
Forceps
Scraper
Marking Pens
Absorbent Towels
Paper Bags
Hand Broom

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Feed
Bedding
Cages
Water
Sterilized vs
Irradiated

How to Use the Semi-Rigid Isolator Units
Loading the Isolator:
• Remove all jewelry, watches and especially rings
•Don protective glove liners
•Gather appropriate supplies
•Open the outside port door
•Place supplies into port –Spray down supplies with disinfectant/sterilent
•Allow sufficient contact time
•20 – 40 minutes
•Secure outer door

How to Use the Semi-Rigid Isolator Units
Loading the Isolator: continued
•Push the sleeves into the isolator by holding onto cuff
• Over stretching the gloves will cause damage
•Open the port door
•Remove items from port into the isolator
•After all items have been removed, shut and lock port door clamps

How to Use the Semi-Rigid Isolator Units
Unloading the Isolator:
•Once everything is ready to be removed from the isolator spray the inside of the port completely
•Spray all items before placing them into port
•Once all items are sprayed down with Clidox the port can be loaded
•After everything is loaded the port is then closed
•Set the timer according to SOP/Chemical Manufacturer

How to Use the Semi-Rigid Isolator Units
Unloading the Isolator:
•When the timer goes off you may unload the port
•Contaminated items should be disposed/sanitized appropriately.

How to Use the Semi-Rigid Isolator Units
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Label door with time initials
Set exposure timer
Document event in log

Introducing/Removing Animals to Isolator
 Supplies
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Biosafety Cabinet
Plastic bottle/containers
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Nalgene®
Disinfectant
Forceps

Introducing/Removing Animals to Isolator
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 Transfer into bottle/container inside BSC
 Leave lids unsealed until all containers are filled
Use same introduction procedures as supplies
Ensure animals are promptly removed from bottle/container
 Air supply in sealed container must be established

Removing Animals from Isolator
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Return to plastic bottles/containers
Double wrap in bag
 Paper or plastic? 
Use regular “spray out” procedures
Air supply for animals limited!

Semi-Rigid Isolator Daily Checks and
Inspections
Inside of the isolator check
•Shelving and all surfaces for cracks or cuts in the plastic
•Light bulb and casing
•Port and clamps to ensure that it seals inside and out
•If any one of these items are wrong or not working report immediately
• DO NOT leave trash inside the isolator
• DO NOT leave the isolator dirty
Animal checks inside the isolators
•Check feed and water levels in each cage
•Observe the animals to ensure health status
•Check for and change any wet cages

Cage changing
•Before cage changing begins ensure that all of the daily checks have been completed
•Make sure all items for changing are inside the isolator before starting, this will help with being efficient
•Change cages
•After the cages have been changed remove all trash and dirty bedding from the isolator
•Make sure all animals are present and safely in their home cages
•Wash down the inside of the isolator, all surfaces including the inside of the glove sleeves
•Once all trash is removed wipe down the port
Filter checks
•Check the outside filter for any dirt, debris, or damage
•Report to a supervisor if something is found

Isolator #
Egg Timer
Thermo hygrometer
Brush
Scraper
Wescodyne (diluted)
Pen/Sharpie
Paper Bags
Forceps
Towels
Water Bottles/Sipper
Tops
Cage Bottoms
Wire bar lids
Card Holders/ Cage
Cards
TP Rolls and Nestlets
Sharps Container
SRI Supply Checklist
2 1 3 4 5 6 8 7 9

Date Animals
Enter
ISOLATOR # _______
Investigator
Name
Date Animals
Removed
Date Isolator
Deconned
Initials