Case Study: Research Laboratories
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Contract Scope:
Although validated to CAT 2 the containment laboratories were designed and built to CAT 3 for future flexibility. This 3,000m³ facility achieved a BREEAM rating of excellent and in addition to the specialist areas also incorporated a range of general purpose laboratories and office accommodation.
Project Details
The scope of work comprised of all HVAC, mechanical and electrical services including sea and fresh water systems and also incorporated the supply and installation of autoclaves, class II cabinets, fume cupboards and down draught tables.
Scope of Work
The Aquaria, laboratories and office areas were provided with dedicated air handling plant together with terminal re-heat batteries to meet the temperature and humidity requirements within individual rooms.
The primary function of the HVAC system was to prevent the spread of pathogens, and therefore a sophisticated VAV system was installed with individual room pressure control to maintain the complex pressure regimes. Negative room pressures of 90Pa are very searching and great attention to detail was required to all service penetrations to meet stringent leakage levels.
A new steam generator was provided to serve the two validated autoclaves together with humidity's and effluent treatment system. Condensing boiler plant, solar hot water generators, natural ventilation and wind catchers all formed part of the environmentally friendly design and contributed to the excellent BREEAM rating.
A bespoke pumped process water system provides fresh and sea water at different temperatures to each Aquaria. The installation comprises of large central storage with both sand and UV filtration feeding six individual pumped systems with separate conditioning tanks, heat exchangers, secondary filtration and UV treatment.
In addition to the usual lighting, power and fire alarm installations the electrical scope also included a generator, UPS, daylight simulation, leak detection and environmental monitoring system.
