SOP · BIOCONTAINMENT
BSL-4 / Gain-of-Function Vault Access
ActiveBiocontainmentRev C
Purpose
To govern all access to the BSL-4 / Gain-of-Function Vault and any BCL-4 asset, enforcing Director authorization, the logged two-person rule, and full inventory accounting.
Scope
The BSL-4 Vault and every BCL-4 engineered agent, pathogen, gene drive, and subject line held within.
In scope:
Entry authorization, two-person entry, inventory verification, egress.
Out of scope:
Agent design and trials (PAN-SOP-0012); transport (PAN-SOP-0007).
Definitions
Two-person rule
No entry, handling, or egress without two authorized personnel present and logged.
Inventory close-out
Verification that every BCL-4 item is accounted for before the vault is resealed.
Responsibilities
BSL-4 Vault Officer (Owner)
Enforces access control and the two-person rule; runs inventory.
Director of Continuity
Sole authority for any BCL-4 access; written, non-delegable.
Containment Officer
Verifies seals and integrity before and after entry.
Procedure
Entry
- Confirm the written Director authorization and named two-person team.
- Verify seal and pressure integrity; log entry.
- Don containment PPE; enter as a pair, never alone.
Egress
- Run inventory close-out — every item accounted for.
- Decontaminate; verify two-person egress.
- Reseal; confirm integrity; log close-out.
PPE & Controls
Positive-pressure containment suitTwo-person entry token
Records Generated
- Access authorization
- Two-person entry log
- Inventory close-out
References
- Engineered-Agent Handling
- Containment Quarantine & Triage
- Control Metrics — Two-Person Integrity
Revision History
| Rev | Date | Note |
|---|---|---|
| B | 2090-12-01 | Added inventory close-out gate. |
| C | 2091-01-20 | Hardened authorization to Director-only. |