Researching scene...

[Mortal_Remains]

I'm not sure which forum to post this under...

But I'm in need of some help in regards to some research involving Biological Sterilization chambers.

An Example would be - When a scientist is in a Biological hazard room wearing a hazmat suit. He leaves entering into an Anti chamber which douses him with a steam or spray. Then he continues into the next room free of contamination.

I'd like to know what this is called. How it works etc..

Thanks Crew

[kmcg]

The ante chamber could be called an
Airlock... -or-
decontamination(decon) chamber...

edited to add:
You might want to take a look at the SPs for The Rock - or - Outbreak -- both of those used that type of scenario.

[Fortean]

"The BSL-4 suit laboratory consists of either a separate building or a clearly demarcated and isolated zone within a building. Laboratory doors must have locks in accordance with the institutional policies.

"Rooms in the facility must be arranged to ensure exit by sequential passage through the chemical shower, inner (dirty) change room, personal shower, and outer (clean) changing area.

"Entry into the BSL-4 laboratory must be through an airlock fitted with airtight doors. Personnel who enter this area must wear a positive pressure suit supplied with HEPA filtered breathing air. The breathing air systems must have redundant compressors, failure alarms and emergency backup

"A chemical shower must be provided to decontaminate the surface of the positive pressure suit before the worker leaves the laboratory. In the event of an emergency exit or failure of the chemical shower system, a method for decontaminating positive pressure suits, such as a gravity fed supply of chemical disinfectant, is needed."

~ Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (p.55)

Laboratory, "dirty" change room, "chemical shower", "clean" change room, and checkpoints are terms used regarding the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg. See: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/...lbg_2004_e.pdf

See page 35 of this presentation for the "typical progression to and from" a BSL-4 laboratory.

[Grandmaster]

Is it necessary?

If I wrote a scene and the scientist stepped out of a secure area into a chamber where a gas sprayed over his suit, I'd leave it at that - visual, to the point.

If you'd like to know for plain old curiosity: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autoclave