Containment · Controlled Procedure
VC-SOP-0211 — Bio-Vault Access Control & Two-Person Rule
The authorization, badging, airlock sequencing, and mandatory two-person rule that govern every physical entry into a graded Bio-Vault — ensuring no individual is ever alone with a high-grade specimen and no entry occurs without verified, recorded clearance.
No solo entry to a GCL-3 or GCL-4 Bio-Vault — ever. The two-person rule is non-discretionary: both occupants must independently badge, both must be on the authorized roster for that grade, and CHLORA will not release the inner airlock door for a single-occupant entry. Any attempt to defeat the interlock is a reportable security event under
VC-SOP-0705.1. Purpose
To define the controlled procedure for authorizing, badging, and physically admitting personnel into graded Bio-Vault enclosures, including the airlock sequence and the two-person rule, so that every entry is justified, dual-witnessed, and recorded against the specimen's custody chain.
2. Scope
Applies to all personnel entry into Bio-Vaults BV-A through BV-F and to any Containment Sphere operating under Bio-Vault access discipline (GCL-3+). Covers clearance tiers, badge provisioning, escort rules, airlock sequencing, and the two-person rule. GCL-4 specimen handling inside the vault is governed by VC-SOP-0204; movement of specimens in or out is recorded under VC-SOP-0610. Excludes remote/robotic servicing, which requires no human entry.
3. Definitions
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Two-Person Rule | The mandatory presence of two independently authorized personnel for any entry into a GCL-3+ Bio-Vault; neither may be left alone inside. |
| Clearance Tier | The graded authorization level (C-1 through C-4) a person holds, gating which Bio-Vault grades they may enter and in what role. |
| Escort | An authorized holder who accompanies and remains continuously responsible for a lower-tier or visitor entrant. |
| Airlock Sequence | The enforced order of dual-door cycling, ΔP equalization, and badge confirmation governing transit through the vault vestibule. |
| Access Window | The time-bounded, CHLORA-granted permission for a specific entry; entry outside the window is denied. |
4. Responsibilities
| Role | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Containment Officer (Owner) | Grants and revokes clearance tiers; approves access windows for GCL-4; owns this SOP. |
| Security Marshal | Provisions and audits badges; investigates interlock-defeat and badge-share events. |
| Vault Entrant (Primary & Secondary) | Each independently badges, confirms the two-person partner, and maintains continuous line-of-sight inside. |
| Escort | Maintains continuous responsibility for any escorted entrant and signs the escort declaration. |
| CHLORA | Validates roster, enforces the two-person interlock and access window, sequences the airlock, and logs every badge event. |
5. Equipment & Pre-Checks
- Active dual-factor badge (token + biometric) provisioned to the entrant's clearance tier
- CHLORA-granted access window covering the planned entry time
- Grade-appropriate PPE per VC-SOP-0301 donned in the gowning vestibule
- Functioning two-person interlock confirmed on the inner airlock door
- Vault ΔP within range per VC-SOP-0207 before sequence start
- Escort declaration on file for any escorted or visitor entry
6. Access-Tier & Authorization Matrix
| Bio-Vault Grade | Required Clearance | Escort Rule | Two-Person Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| GCL-1 | C-1 or higher | None required | Single entry permitted; log only |
| GCL-2 | C-2 or higher | Visitors escorted by C-2+ | Single entry permitted; buddy advised |
| GCL-3 | C-3 (both entrants) | No unescorted lower tier; visitors prohibited | Two-person rule enforced |
| GCL-4 | C-4 primary + C-3 secondary | No visitors; escort by C-4 only | Two-person rule + CO-approved window |
| GCL-4 (active hazard) | C-4 (both) + CBO co-sign | No escorted entries | Two-person rule; entry only with breach team standby |
7. Procedure
7.1 Authorization & Window Request
- Entrant submits an entry request naming the vault, grade, purpose, and partner; CHLORA validates both against the clearance roster.
- For GCL-4, the Containment Officer approves a bounded access window; for active-hazard entries the CBO co-signs.
- CHLORA denies any request where either entrant lacks the required tier or the window is expired.
7.2 Badging & Two-Person Confirmation
- At the vestibule, both entrants present dual-factor badges independently; CHLORA confirms two distinct authorized identities.
- For GCL-3+, the inner door interlock remains locked until two valid badges are confirmed within a 30-s pairing window.
- An escort, if present, signs the escort declaration and is recorded as continuously responsible for the escorted entrant.
7.3 Airlock Sequence
- Enter the vestibule; the outer door closes and locks before the inner door will arm. Dual-door simultaneous opening is mechanically and logically prohibited.
- CHLORA confirms vault ΔP is within range per VC-SOP-0207; if not, the sequence aborts.
- On both-badge confirmation, the inner door releases for the access window; entrants proceed maintaining mutual line-of-sight.
7.4 In-Vault Conduct & Egress
- Neither entrant may be left alone inside; if one must exit, both exit. Any specimen movement is recorded under VC-SOP-0610.
- GCL-4 handling tasks follow VC-SOP-0204; the secondary entrant maintains watch and is not task-loaded.
- On egress, both badge out; CHLORA closes the entry record and confirms the vault returns to sealed, unoccupied state.
7.5 Quality Checkpoints
- Both entrants independently badged and rostered for the grade
- Access window valid and CO/CBO approvals present where required
- Two-person interlock confirmed before inner door release
- No solo occupancy at any point during the entry
- Egress recorded with vault returned to sealed, unoccupied state
8. Records
- Entry request, approvals, and granted access window (retained 10 years)
- Badge-in / badge-out events for both entrants (CHLORA, MDF-sealed)
- Escort declarations for any escorted entry
- Specimen-movement records cross-filed to VC-SOP-0610
- Interlock-defeat or badge-share security events (Security Marshal)
9. References
- VC-SOP-0204 — GCL-4 Containment & Handling
- VC-SOP-0610 — Specimen Transfer & Chain-of-Custody
- VC-SOP-0207 — Containment Sphere Integrity Verification
- VC-SOP-0301 — PPE Selection Matrix
VC-SOP-0705— Security Event Reporting & Investigation- Monitoring Systems · Operational Metrics
10. Revision History
| Rev | Date | Author | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 2087-04-08 | Containment Officer | Initial issue; clearance tiers and badging established. |
| B | 2089-06-15 | Containment Officer | Airlock dual-door interlock and access-window enforcement added. |
| C | 2090-10-01 | Containment Officer | Two-person rule made non-discretionary for GCL-3+; active-hazard tier and CBO co-sign added. CBO approval. |