Featured Construction Project: The Galveston National Laboratory

When construction document quality is critically necessary - you can count on us.

It can stand strong through hurricanes, it can contain highly dangerous infectious agents, and has some of the most sophisticated security protocols imagined. What building is it? The Galveston National Laboratory (GNL) or the National Biocontainment Laboratory. The building should be completed this month.


The GNL has to be Perfect

This facility can be nothing less than perfect. When it comes to containing agents like anthrax, Lassa fever, dengue fever and Ebola there is no room for structural error. The Nigro Firm reviewed sections of this lab in 2006 and found the project extremely interesting and particularly unique.

The Nigro Firm’s experience reviewing GNL

Our experience reviewing GNL was incredibly fascinating.

Many things that would not normally be a big deal in typical construction projects were fatally important for this research lab. For example, the pipe sleeve locations between the concrete floors had to exactly match the locations of the plumbing fixtures, decontamination showers, lab equipment, etc. To prevent micro-cracks and possible hiding places for microbes, holes could not be drilled through the concrete after it was poured. In addition, the building’s special systems such as the decontamination shower system were extremely interesting and required the design of a special custom review.

Who funded the construction of the GNL?

The GNL was primarily funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/National Institutes of Health (NIAID/NIH). This organization was formed after the 2001 post office anthrax attacks and helped fund GNL as well as one other National Biocontainment Laboratory and Regional Centers of Excellence (RCEs) to research hazardous biological agents.

GNL Specs

The GNL is nearly a 170 million dollar project which, when complete, will include 174,000 gross square feet. Construction began in May of 2005. University of Texas Medical Branch will possess and operate the GNL in support of the biodefense research agenda of NIAID.

How do other projects compare to the GNL?

Most buildings are not responsible for containing NIAID Category A, B and C priority pathogens such as typhus fever, West Nile virus, yellow fever and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus. However, all projects have access to the quality review services provided by companies like the Nigro Firm to help ensure that their buildings are top notch.

Interested in other projects reviewed by the Nigro Firm, see our Abbreviated Project List.