Summary Darwin Chambers Company ALAAC, OLAW, USDA, and NIH-compliant Vivarium Rooms are designed for maximum value, sustainability, and conformance with applicable standards. We have over a decade of experience in working with researchers to provide humane and often precise conditions to meet their unique and specific needs. Vivariums are commonly defined as a place, such as a in laboratory, where live animals and/or plants are kept under conditions simulating a natural environment. Often, these contain both plants and animals, within a micro-ecosystem, often with controlled stability or controlled change of environmental variables. We offer various surface finishes, including all stainless steel, which are easy to maintain and may be sterilized to cleanroom standards. Compartmentalized enlosures are offered, which are modular and reconfigurable. Our rooms will accommodate plants as needed (we also provide plant growth chambers), and we offer control of humidification in conformance with current ALAAC mandates, sufficient air exchanges, available HEPA filtration of intake and/or exhaust air, standard screened equipment housings, and other such considerations. Benefits Heating and/or conditioning system can be replaced or relocated quickly due to simple water-type connections. Special accessories that allow uninterrupted operation and client convenience are available. Temperatures over 50°C come equipped with remote fan motors for superior heating efficiency and distribution. Available temperature ranges from 20°C to 60°C, 37°C typical set point. Supplied with LED lights which emit significantly more light per unit of input energy than fluorescent bulbs. They also produce less radiant heat, and with less heat used, the cooling requirement for the controlled environment is diminished and the total energy used by an LED-equipped chamber is substantially reduced. ADA compliance available with no additional cost to the customer. Personnel emergency alarm: illuminated pull to reset push-button (inside room), control panel mounted visual and audible alarm. Includes glow in the dark label and a glow in the dark antimicrobial pull cord that can trigger alarm when pulled, a life saving feature for injured personnel lying on the floor. Standard Features 4-6” Polyurethane Insulated Panels Embossed White Aluminum Interior Surface Finish Embossed White Galvanized Steel Exterior Surface Finish Exceptional Temperature And Humidity Uniformity Temperature Control At Sensor / Set-Point: ±0.2° C High / Low Alarms Flexible Configurations Complies With LEED Standards Energy Efficient Offering Lowered Maintenance Costs Pre-tested, Pre-charged Refrigeration Systems Non-proprietary Controls Controls with Auto-tuning, Fuzzy Logic CSA certified control panel (UL equivalent) Optional Features Humidity Control At Sensor: ±0.5%. Added Dehumidification and/or Ultrasonic Humidification Extended Temperature And Humidity Ranges Stainless Steel / Special Surfaces Ethernet / Remote Monitoring / Alarming Corrosive Resistant Equipment Added Redundancy in Controls and/or Conditioning Stainless Steel Construction Data Logging Water-Cooled Or Air-Cooled Condensers Custom Lighting Systems High Density Shelving Unlimited Door / View Window Sizing Insulated Glass View ports High Weight Capacity Flooring Calibration / Validation / Maintenance Services Touch Screen Control Interface Electronic Door Lock with Data-Logged Access Antimicrobial Coating on door handle to reduce the spread of bacteria and pathogens. The Darwin Advantage All installed instrumentation is calibrated to NIST traceable standards and provided with a calibration form. In-house, factory calibrations are performed using state-of-the-art equipment with great accuracies. These reports are three-point verifications, traceable calibration documents. Downloads Download Brochure Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Vivarium Rooms What is the Main Purpose of Vivarium Rooms? The main purpose of vivarium rooms is to provide controlled environments that simulate specific natural habitats for the housing, care, and study of animals and plants. These specialized facilities are used in various fields, including research, education, conservation, and pet keeping, to create optimal conditions for the health, well-being, and study of organisms housed within them. What Are the Key Advantages of Vivarium Rooms? Vivarium rooms offer a host of advantages across various fields, from scientific research and education to conservation and animal welfare. Some of the key advantages include: Controlled Environment: Vivarium rooms provide controlled environments where temperature, humidity, lighting, and other factors can be precisely controlled to simulate natural habitats. Research Opportunities: Vivarium rooms facilitate scientific research by providing controlled settings for studying the behavior, physiology, ecology, genetics, and interactions of animals and plants. These environments allow the ideal settings for conducting experiments, manipulating variables, and observing responses, leading to valuable research in biology, ecology, zoology, and medicine. Insect Farming & Agriculture: Vivarium rooms are often used in agriculture and insect farming to rear beneficial insects, pollinators, and pest predators for biological control, as well as sustainable agriculture practices. Education & Outreach: These types of rooms and environments serve as valuable educational tools for teaching students, educators, and the general public about biodiversity, ecosystems, and the natural world. Disease Research & Drug Development: Vivarium rooms support biomedical research by providing controlled environments for studying disease models, drug efficacy, and toxicity testing in animals. Conservation Efforts: These rooms can play a critical role in conservation efforts by providing habitats and care for endangered species and genetically valuable populations. Vivarium rooms support breeding programs, genetic diversity preservation, and reintroduction initiatives aimed at restoring populations and preventing extinction. What is the Difference Between a Terrarium and a Vivarium? Terrariums are primarily designed for the cultivation and display of plants. It is typically a sealed or partially enclosed glass container that creates a controlled microclimate suitable for plant growth. Vivariums can house a variety of animals, as well as plants, within a micro-ecosystem. Typically enclosed or even modularly compartmentalized, vivariums aim to replicate the natural habitat of the organisms it houses, providing them with the necessary conditions for survival and well-being.