{"id":2896,"date":"2025-01-30T07:40:53","date_gmt":"2025-01-30T07:40:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/az.research.umich.edu\/animalcare\/document\/entry-and-exiting-animal-housing-areas\/"},"modified":"2026-10-13T15:14:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T19:14:09","slug":"entry-and-exiting-animal-housing-areas","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/az.research.umich.edu\/animalcare\/sops\/entry-and-exiting-animal-housing-areas\/","title":{"rendered":"Entry and Exiting Animal Housing Areas"},"template":"","categories":[5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19],"tags":[],"content-type":[30],"topic":[20],"update-type":[],"class_list":["post-2896","document","type-document","status-publish","hentry","category-cats","category-chickens-avian","category-cows","category-dogs","category-ferrets","category-fish-amphibians-and-reptiles","category-guinea-pigs","category-hamsters","category-mice","category-other-rodents","category-primates","category-rabbits","category-rats","category-sheep","category-swine","content-type-sops","topic-husbandry"],"acf":{"use_legacy_editor":true,"updated_date":"2026-10-02 00:00:00","update_notice":true,"author":"Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine","summary":"Procedures for entry and exiting animal housing areas, including changing the Dedicated Work Uniform and showering.","button_links":null,"related_content":[2892,2923,2894,2933,2961,2939,2962,2963,2964,2965,2942,2944,2947],"legacy_path":"entry-and-exiting-animal-housing-areas","legacy_node_id":41,"legacy_related_nids":"37, 69, 39, 79, 110, 85, 111, 112, 113, 114, 89, 92, 95","legacy_content_section":[{"legacy_section_type":"heading","legacy_heading":"Responsibilities","legacy_subheading":"","legacy_section_text":"","legacy_media_position":"","legacy_media_file":"","legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":"","legacy_glossary_nids":"","legacy_resource":"","legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null},{"legacy_section_type":"text_area","legacy_heading":"","legacy_subheading":"","legacy_section_text":"
    \r\n \t
  1. Husbandry Personnel<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. Veterinary Personnel<\/li>\r\n \t
  3. Investigative Personnel<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","legacy_media_position":"","legacy_media_file":"","legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":"","legacy_glossary_nids":"","legacy_resource":"","legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null},{"legacy_section_type":"heading","legacy_heading":"Glossary Definitions","legacy_subheading":"","legacy_section_text":"","legacy_media_position":"","legacy_media_file":"","legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":"","legacy_glossary_nids":"","legacy_resource":"","legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null},{"legacy_section_type":"glossary_terms","legacy_heading":"","legacy_subheading":"","legacy_section_text":"","legacy_media_position":"","legacy_media_file":"","legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":[2445,2855,2456,2794,2795,2489,2687,2552,2549,2755,2587,2597,2692,2663,2693],"legacy_glossary_nids":"1114, 1698, 1125, 1543, 1544, 1158, 1368, 1224, 1221, 1465, 1261, 1272, 1373, 1341, 1374","legacy_resource":"","legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null},{"legacy_section_type":"heading","legacy_heading":"Procedures","legacy_subheading":"","legacy_section_text":"","legacy_media_position":"","legacy_media_file":"","legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":"","legacy_glossary_nids":"","legacy_resource":"","legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null},{"legacy_section_type":"text_area_with_subheading","legacy_heading":"","legacy_subheading":"1. Animal and Euthanasia Room Entry Procedures","legacy_section_text":"
      \r\n \t
    1. Ensure all entry room procedures are followed\u00a0to maintain the health status of the animals.\r\n
        \r\n \t
      1. Hang personal items such as lab coats, jackets, bags and hats outside the room.<\/li>\r\n \t
      2. Follow the designated personal protective equipment (PPE<\/a>) instructions listed on the room entry procedures sign posted on the outside of the door and\/or area entrance.\r\n
          \r\n \t
        1. Ensure proper attire is worn (long pants\/skirt or equivalent leg covering and closed toed shoes).<\/li>\r\n \t
        2. Euthanasia rooms require additional PPE over DWU<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n \t
        3. Don gown before gloves. Utilize head and thumb openings, if present.<\/li>\r\n \t
        4. Pull gloves over the cuff of the gown.<\/li>\r\n \t
        5. Discard gown if\u00a0falls on the floor.<\/li>\r\n \t
        6. Follow building specific procedures for location of donning and doffing PPE.<\/li>\r\n \t
        7. PPE requirements may change during an outbreak.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
        8. Change PPE between species.\r\n
            \r\n \t
          1. Area faculty veterinarians approve any deviations that may need to occur.\r\n
              \r\n \t
            1. Post approved deviations on a Special Treatment or Procedure Form (SToP<\/a>).<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
            2. Consult the area faculty veterinarian if there is a change in the health status of a room.<\/li>\r\n \t
            3. Leave laboratory carts outside of the housing areas of:\r\n
                \r\n \t
              1. C. bovis free rooms<\/li>\r\n \t
              2. Nude\/SCID rooms<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","legacy_media_position":"","legacy_media_file":"","legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":"","legacy_glossary_nids":"","legacy_resource":"","legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null},{"legacy_section_type":"text_area_with_subheading","legacy_heading":"","legacy_subheading":"2. Animal Room Entry Order","legacy_section_text":"
                  \r\n \t
                1. Rodent Room Entry Order:\r\n
                    \r\n \t
                  1. Enter rooms, within the same workday,\u00a0as follows:\r\n
                      \r\n \t
                    1. Germ-Free<\/li>\r\n \t
                    2. C. bovis<\/em> free<\/li>\r\n \t
                    3. Nude or SCID<\/li>\r\n \t
                    4. Helicobacter free room<\/li>\r\n \t
                    5. SPF<\/a> clean room (Green<\/a>)<\/li>\r\n \t
                    6. SPF potentially contaminated (Yellow<\/a>)<\/li>\r\n \t
                    7. SPF biocontainment housing<\/li>\r\n \t
                    8. SPF contaminated (Red<\/a>)<\/li>\r\n \t
                    9. Quarantine<\/li>\r\n \t
                    10. Conventional<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                    11. PPE in Rodent Rooms \u2013 Non USDA-Regulated Species<\/a>\r\n
                        \r\n \t
                      1. With a LFH<\/a> and microisolator caging:\r\n
                          \r\n \t
                        1. DWUs and gloves, or<\/li>\r\n \t
                        2. Designated personal protective equipment (PPE) as listed on the room entry procedures sign<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                        3. Without a LFH and\/or microisolator caging AND when cages are being opened:\r\n
                            \r\n \t
                          1. Designated personal protective equipment (PPE) as listed on the room entry procedures sign<\/li>\r\n \t
                          2. DWUs and gloves are acceptable when cages are not being opened.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                          3. PPE in Rodent Rooms \u2013 USDA-Regulated Species<\/a>\r\n
                              \r\n \t
                            1. Designated personal protective equipment (PPE)\u00a0as listed on the room entry procedures sign<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                            2. Non-rodent Mammal Room Entry Order:\r\n
                                \r\n \t
                              1. Enter rabbit rooms AFTER guinea pig rooms within a workday.\r\n
                                  \r\n \t
                                1. All personnel change DWU if there is a need to return to a guinea pig room after entering a rabbit room.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                                2. Enter immunocompromised rabbit rooms BEFORE any other rabbit room within a workday.<\/li>\r\n \t
                                3. Enter non-rodent mammal<\/a> rooms (per species) in quarantine LAST within a workday.<\/li>\r\n \t
                                4. Ensure PPE is changed between all non-rodent mammal rooms.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                                5. Aquatic Frog Room Entry Order:\r\n
                                    \r\n \t
                                  1. Xenopus tropicalis<\/em><\/li>\r\n \t
                                  2. Clean Hymenochirus<\/em> spp.<\/li>\r\n \t
                                  3. Xenopus laevis<\/em><\/li>\r\n \t
                                  4. Xenopus laevis<\/em> housed in USB<\/li>\r\n \t
                                  5. Dirty\/Experimental Hymenochirus<\/em> spp<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                                  6. Enter chicken rooms AFTER rabbit rooms.\r\n
                                      \r\n \t
                                    1. All personnel change DWU if there is a need to return to a rabbit room after entering a chicken room.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                                    2. Alternate PPE is provided by the individual\u2019s department if personnel are unable to wear the PPE as required and if deemed to be at least as effective as the required equipment. Personnel are not able to conduct the work tasks in which PPE is deemed necessary if unable to wear required PPE or alternate PPE is not acceptable. Consult EHS<\/a>, the faculty veterinarian, and the employee.<\/li>\r\n \t
                                    3. Animal Room Exiting Procedures:\r\n
                                        \r\n \t
                                      1. Remove and dispose of all PPE as indicated on the room entry procedure sign.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","legacy_media_position":"","legacy_media_file":"","legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":"","legacy_glossary_nids":"","legacy_resource":"","legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null},{"legacy_section_type":"text_area_with_subheading","legacy_heading":"","legacy_subheading":"3. Animal Room Contamination","legacy_section_text":"
                                          \r\n \t
                                        1. Rodent Contamination:\r\n
                                            \r\n \t
                                          1. Place appropriate contamination signage on the door of the animal room if contaminants are present.\r\n
                                              \r\n \t
                                            1. Include don\/doff<\/a> procedures on door signage.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                                            2. Don a disposable gown and gloves PRIOR<\/strong><\/span> to entering a room with confirmed contaminations.\r\n
                                                \r\n \t
                                              1. Doff PPE based on room signage.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                                              2. Non-rodent Mammal Contaminations:\r\n
                                                  \r\n \t
                                                1. Place appropriate contamination signage on the door of the animal room if contaminants are present.\r\n
                                                    \r\n \t
                                                  1. Include don\/doff procedures on door signage.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                                                  2. Don required PPE PRIOR<\/strong><\/span> to entering a room with confirmed contaminations.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","legacy_media_position":"","legacy_media_file":"","legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":"","legacy_glossary_nids":"","legacy_resource":"","legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null},{"legacy_section_type":"text_area_with_subheading","legacy_heading":"","legacy_subheading":"4. Personal Hygiene and Clothing Procedures for ULAM Personnel","legacy_section_text":"
                                                      \r\n \t
                                                    1. Showering:\r\n
                                                        \r\n \t
                                                      1. Shower, including washing hair, and don clean DWU prior to entering a C.Bovis<\/em> free rodent room after working in an SPF potentially contaminated (Yellow), SPF Containment housing, SPF contaminated (Red) rodent room or conventional animal<\/a> room.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                                                      2. Clothing\r\n
                                                          \r\n \t
                                                        1. General DWU Procedures\r\n
                                                            \r\n \t
                                                          1. Discard DWU in dirty laundry bin at the end of the workday, or at any other required time\u00a0that DWUs must be changed, to be laundered per building procedures.<\/li>\r\n \t
                                                          2. Use an approved certified vendor to launder DWU when possible.\r\n
                                                              \r\n \t
                                                            1. Launder DWU within the facility and do not remove from the University of Michigan campus when using an approved certified vendor is not possible.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                                                            2. Change DWU when traveling backward in room entry order, e.g., traveling from SPF<\/a> clean room (Green) to C.Bovis<\/em> free room (See Procedures Section 2.a.i.1 through 10<\/strong>).<\/em><\/li>\r\n \t
                                                            3. Disinfect shoes\/boots with an appropriate disinfectant when entering an SPF large animal room after a quarantine or containment large animal<\/a> housing room.<\/li>\r\n \t
                                                            4. Change DWU\u00a0PRIOR<\/strong><\/span> to breaks, lunches or meetings if traveling from:\r\n
                                                                \r\n \t
                                                              1. Contaminated rooms<\/li>\r\n \t
                                                              2. Conventional rooms<\/li>\r\n \t
                                                              3. Dirty side cage wash<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                                                              4. Change DWU PRIOR<\/strong><\/span> to leaving the vivarium to enter a public space unless:\r\n
                                                                  \r\n \t
                                                                1. Traveling from one animal area to another.<\/li>\r\n \t
                                                                2. Additional PPE is worn over DWU while working within the animal facility.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
                                                                3. Change soiled or wet DWU\u00a0after completing current task or as soon as possible.<\/li>\r\n \t
                                                                4. Change DWU AFTER<\/strong><\/span> break, lunch, or meeting if duties involve working in clean side cage wash.<\/li>\r\n \t
                                                                5. Change DWU when working in between different dirty side cage wash areas.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","legacy_media_position":"","legacy_media_file":"","legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":"","legacy_glossary_nids":"","legacy_resource":"","legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null},{"legacy_section_type":"heading","legacy_heading":"Appendices","legacy_subheading":"","legacy_section_text":"","legacy_media_position":"","legacy_media_file":"","legacy_media_url":"","legacy_glossary_term":"","legacy_glossary_nids":"","legacy_resource":"","legacy_resource_nids":"","legacy_buttons":null},{"legacy_section_type":"text_area_with_subheading","legacy_heading":"","legacy_subheading":"Appendix A: Animal Room Status Color Indicator Descriptions","legacy_section_text":"Red: Contaminated<\/strong><\/span>\r\n