USAMRIID Replacement Facility

Fort Detrick, MD

The United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases has conducted research to develop medical solutions to protect the nation’s military service members from biological threats since its inception in 1969. The USAMRIID Replacement Facility will be a state-of-the-art research facility for the testing of infectious diseases and creating treatments and antibiotics to combat them.

The new building will consist of west and east sections separated by a multi-floor atrium. The 835,390 square foot building will include laboratories; aerobiology, vivarium, and administrative space; and other facilities to support the research mission of USAMRIID. The building will have two 1500 gpm fire pumps contained in a freestanding pump house located adjacent to the building. There are multiple standpipes throughout the building feeding multiple zones per floor. The building contains a Biosafety Level 4 laboratory area on the second floor, which is totally encased with concrete. Within these BSL-4 areas, the fire protection system will be made from stainless steel piping, with each area served by separate backflow preventers. This building also contains two floors that will house Biosafety Level 3 laboratories.

NFP is currently designing and coordinating the fire protection systems for the entire building. The building is projected to require approximately 12,500 sprinklers when completed. NFP started the sprinkler installation in October 2010 and is projected to be complete by winter 2011/spring 2012.

This project is being constructed to IBC 2007 and NFPA 13 2007 standards.