White Paper

Ask the Expert: Airflow Equipment for Animal Research Labs

Dan Yoong

In modern animal research labs and vivarium environments, airflow is more than just a mechanical necessity—it's a cornerstone of animal welfare, personnel safety, regulatory compliance, and experimental integrity. In this expert-driven white paper, biocontainment specialist Dan Yoong shares over two decades of field experience to guide laboratory planners, facility managers, and biosafety officers in selecting the right airflow equipment for animal research operations.

You’ll learn why airflow systems are critical to Specific Pathogen-Free (SPF) vivariums, BSL-2/3 containment areas, and facilities supporting pharmaceutical, biomedical, and preclinical studies. The white paper covers key principles of airflow control, including:

HVAC integration and environmental zoning
Optimizing air exchange for heat and humidity control
Minimizing allergens and odors for staff health
Maintaining pressure cascades in high-containment environments
Choosing between animal transfer stations and biosafety cabinets

This downloadable guide is especially useful for organizations conducting rodent research, GLP toxicology studies, vaccine development, or translational research involving live animal models. The document explains the science behind proper air movement within vivarium workstations—whether using refuse workstations, IVC racks, or biosafety cabinets configured for animal handling.

If you’re currently working on a new lab build, renovation, or re-certification, this white paper provides grounded insight and compliance-backed design logic. It complements NuAire’s broader portfolio of tools and learning resources designed to enhance safety and efficiency, including:

With laboratory environments becoming more complex and regulated, it’s essential to understand the role airflow plays in everything from cross-contamination prevention to occupational health. This paper explains not only what equipment to use—but why. Learn how to identify equipment that meets your facility’s unique needs for species-specific airflow rates, energy efficiency, and ergonomic performance.

From the frontlines of lab safety to the backend of facility design, NuAire’s expert-led resources empower biosafety decision-makers to build labs that work better—starting with the air you and your animals breathe.

Download now to gain practical, lab-proven insights for safer, smarter airflow design in animal research labs worldwide.

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About the Author

Dan Yoong

Dan Yoong is the Managing Director of World BioHazTec Asia Pacific and a leading biocontainment engineer with over two decades of experience designing and certifying high-containment laboratories across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

In 2016, he became the first Singaporean appointed by the Ministry of Health as an Approved Facility Certifier (Engineering) for BSL-3 laboratories. Mr. Yoong has contributed to the development of biosafety standards, including Singapore Standard SS 696:2023 for high-containment facilities.

He is also a certified trainer under the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) framework and serves as a part-time lecturer at the National University of Singapore, where he teaches courses on biocontainment engineering and biorisk management.

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