Jiayuan PB-5 Five-Tier Stainless Steel Flat-Rack System for Mouse and Rat Caging

Overview

The Jiayuan PB-5 Five-Tier Stainless Steel Flat-Rack System is an engineered infrastructure solution designed for standardized housing of laboratory rodents in compliance with international animal welfare guidelines—including the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (NRC, 8th ed.), AAALAC International standards, and EU Directive 2010/63/EU. This system employs a rigid, welded AISI 304 stainless steel frame to support flat-bottomed or solid-bottom rodent cages in horizontal orientation across five evenly spaced tiers. Unlike vertical stacking or hanging cage systems, the PB-5 utilizes gravity-stable, low-profile mounting—minimizing vibration transmission, simplifying cage handling, and enabling ergonomic access without step stools or mechanical lifts. Its structural design prioritizes long-term corrosion resistance in high-humidity, high-sanitization environments typical of SPF (Specific Pathogen-Free) vivaria, barrier facilities, and GLP-compliant preclinical research units.

Key Features

• Five-tier modular architecture with uniform inter-tier spacing (270 mm vertical clearance) to accommodate a broad range of commercially available mouse and rat cages—including M-1 (290 × 180 × 160 mm), M-5 (475 × 350 × 200 mm), M-6 (545 × 395 × 200 mm), R-1 (460 × 300 × 160 mm), PP-4 (466 × 314 × 200 mm), and CP-4 (466 × 314 × 200 mm) variants.
• AISI 304 stainless steel construction throughout—electropolished finish optional—ensuring resistance to autoclaving (121°C, 20 min), chemical disinfectants (e.g., sodium hypochlorite, peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide vapor), and repeated high-pressure wash-down cycles.
• Integrated mobility via four 100 mm diameter polyurethane-swivel casters (two with dual-action locking brakes), enabling reconfiguration of rack placement within IVC (Individually Ventilated Cage) rooms or static housing suites without disassembly.
• Structural load rating: ≥80 kg per tier (tested under static distributed load), validated per ISO 13857:2019 safety clearance requirements for operator access zones.
• Modular footprint (1450 × 400 mm base) optimized for integration with standard vivarium floor grids, HVAC airflow patterns, and automated cage-washing conveyor interfaces.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The PB-5 rack is explicitly configured for flat-mount caging systems used in both conventional and barrier-level rodent housing. It supports cages compliant with GB/T 27415–2011 (Chinese national standard for laboratory animal caging), as well as widely adopted international dimensions aligned with ISO 17025-accredited facility protocols. The system accommodates solid-bottom, filter-top, and ventilated cages—provided they feature standardized bottom rail geometry (e.g., 4–6 mm recessed edge flange). No proprietary fasteners or adapters are required; cages rest directly on precision-machined support rails with anti-slip micro-texturing. All materials meet USP Class VI biocompatibility requirements for non-leaching surfaces, and the rack itself is compatible with ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization validation when specified. Documentation includes material traceability certificates (MTRs) for 304 SS batches and dimensional inspection reports per ISO 9001:2015 manufacturing controls.

Software & Data Management

While the PB-5 is a passive mechanical infrastructure component (no embedded electronics or IoT capability), it is fully interoperable with digital vivarium management platforms—including LabVantage LIMS, Provantis, and eCage modules—via standardized rack ID tagging (QR code or RFID label mounting points integrated at rear uprights). Each unit ships with a unique serial-numbered calibration plate affixed to the lower front crossbar, supporting audit-ready traceability for GLP/GCP studies. Rack position metadata (room, aisle, bay) can be mapped in facility BIM models (Revit-compatible .ifc export available upon request) to support HVAC load modeling, emergency evacuation planning, and IVC air-exchange rate optimization.

Applications

This system serves core functions across academic, pharmaceutical, and contract research organization (CRO) settings: long-term breeding colony maintenance under SPF conditions; toxicology and pharmacokinetic study housing where cage stability and minimal environmental perturbation are critical; behavioral phenotyping workflows requiring unobstructed side-view access; and regulatory submission-supporting studies requiring full documentation of housing configuration per FDA 21 CFR Part 58 (Good Laboratory Practice) and OECD Test Guideline 408. Its low center of gravity and caster-based mobility also make it suitable for mobile vivarium units deployed in field research or pandemic-response animal model laboratories.

FAQ

Is the PB-5 rack compatible with IVC systems?
Yes—when used with IVC-compatible flat-bottom cages (e.g., Tecniplast Green Line or Allentown EVC models), the PB-5 integrates seamlessly beneath standard IVC plenums; recommended minimum plenum-to-rack clearance is 120 mm.

Can the rack be autoclaved?
No—the assembled rack exceeds autoclave chamber dimensions; however, all components are autoclavable individually (max 121°C, 20 min), and the full structure withstands VHP (vaporized hydrogen peroxide) decontamination cycles at ≤1000 ppm concentration.

Does the system include cage trays or bedding retainers?
No—cage retention is achieved via gravity and rail geometry; optional stainless steel drip trays (model TRAY-PB5) and static-dissipative rubber matting kits are available as accessories.

What is the lead time for custom finishes?
Standard electropolished finish ships in 12–15 business days; passivated or PTFE-coated variants require 25–30 days from order confirmation.

Are installation services provided?
Basic site verification and leveling support is included; certified engineering installation (including seismic anchoring per ASCE 7-22) is available as a billable add-on service.