Fire brigade marking of genetic engineering areas

Areas in which genetic engineering work of safety levels 1 to 4 is carried out must be clearly marked as genetic engineering facilities in accordance with the Genetic Engineering Safety Ordinance (GenTSV), Annex 2. In addition, the responsible fire department must arrange for the fire protection marking of these areas. The aim is to simplify the allocation of rooms and parts of the building in which, in the event of a fire brigade operation, a biological hazard The fire protection marking is in accordance with DIN 4066 and Fire Service Regulations (FwDV) 500 in the form of red-bordered, tactile Metal embossed signs This is done permanently and clearly visible. This is done with the symbol "BIO I" in areas for genetic engineering work with organisms in risk group 1, "BIO II" in areas for genetic engineering work with organisms in risk groups 2 and 3** or "BIO III" in areas for genetic engineering work with organisms in risk groups 3 and 4. Since in safety level 1 facilities there is normally no biological hazard to be expected when handling the organisms used, "BIO I" marking is often dispensed with there (after consultation with the responsible fire department).

It should be noted that the fire protection signs must not be attached directly to the access doors of laboratories, functional rooms or animal facilities, but at a height of 1600 mm +/-100 mm next to the door (lock side).

The above regulations apply not only to genetic engineering facilities, but also analogously to areas in which, according to Biological Agents Ordinance (BioStoffV) with biological agents or wild-type organisms of risk groups 1-4 are handled in protection levels 1 to 4.