Barrier Levels

The Jackson Laboratory maintains animal facilities at several barrier levels that ensure the health and well-being of our animal colonies. Below are the husbandry and animal-health restrictions that apply to each barrier level.

All barriers:

• Sterilized autoclaved or irradiated feed
• Acidified drinking water
• Steam-sterilized bedding
• Microisolator caging
• Mouse transfer by disinfected forceps
• Strict barrier sanitation of caging equipment through tunnel washers
• Restricted entry

Production, Repository and Breeding Services facilities

Maximum barrier:

• Sterilized individually ventilated caging
• Sterilization or disinfection of all supplies and equipment
• Sterilized feed and drinking water
• Air-shower entry
• Change into clean room processed scrubs, smock, and shoes, gloves, and air hat or mask, cap, and face shield

High barrier:

• Sterilized individually ventilated caging
• Sterilization or disinfection of all supplies and equipment
• Sterilized feed and drinking water
• Air or wet shower entry
• Change into clean room processed scrubs and shoes, gloves, mask, and cap

Standard barrier:

• Static or individually ventilated caging
• Sterilization or disinfection of all supplies and equipment
• Sterilized feed and drinking water
• Change into scrubs and shoes; gloves, mask, cap

Research Animal Facility 

Elevated barrier:

• Sterilized individually ventilated caging
• Sterilization or disinfection of all supplies and equipment
• Steam sterilized or irradiated feed
• Sterilized drinking water
• Air-shower entry
• Change into scrubs, sterilized gown, gloves, mask, cap, and sterilized shoes/shoe covers

Intermediate barrier:

• Static or individually ventilated caging
• Sterilization or disinfection of all supplies and equipment
• Wear gown, gloves, mask, cap, and sterilized shoes/shoe covers

Low barrier:

• Static or individually ventilated caging
• Wear gown; gloves

Preclinical Services Facility 

High barrier:

• Static or individually ventilated caging
• Sterilization or disinfection of all supplies and equipment
• Air or wet shower entry
• Gloves, mask, cap, change into clean room processed scrubs, sterilized lab coat, and sterilized shoes/shoe covers