S+B has secured the contract to design, manufacture and install fume cupboards for the nuclear fuels industry. S+B worked closely with Yorkon, Studsvik and J T Engineering Services to submit a winning bid for this new facility.

The client was impressed with the fact that the new generation Ecoline Fume Cupboard provides increased internal operational space. Also that the unit provides significant first cost and energy savings when compared to traditional units. All achieved  without any compromise to operator safety or durability in the  most demanding of all environments and applications.

HOW AN OFF-SITE SOLUTION IS ADDING VALUE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW NUCLEAR LABORATORY FACILITY IN DOUNREAY

A new Active Analysis Laboratory building at Dounreay is breaking new ground in the nuclear and construction sectors, being the first to be built using off-site construction.  In this article, David Johnson, Director and General Manager of off-site specialist, Yorkon, provides an overview of the scheme, how it is being delivered and how the specification differs from a typical modular building.

The £7m contract for the building has been awarded by site clean-up contractor, Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd (DSRL) to a new partnership led by Yorkon, and the project is now in the detailed design phase.

The project team comprises:

• Yorkon – the design and off-site manufacture of the building structure
• Studsvik – the design of nuclear ventilation systems
• JGC Engineering & Technical Services – the manufacture and installation of the nuclear ventilation system and M&E services
• S&B UK – suppliers of the fume cupboards and laboratory equipment.

Due to start on site in Spring 2012 and scheduled for completion Autumn 2013, the 1,300sqm scheme will provide active analysis laboratories to enable DSRL to comply with its statutory and environmental monitoring requirements for up to 25 years, until the Dounreay site is closed.

Project Overview

The building is designed to accommodate 36 fume cupboards in six laboratories, glove boxes and specialised nuclear ventilation systems with heavier and more complex ductwork systems compared to more typical and commercial applications of modular construction.  It will also incorporate acid and non-acid fume extraction, HEPA filtration and a discharge stack.

The scheme, which will accommodate around 45 staff, has been designed in full compliance with stringent nuclear industry requirements and regulations for ionising radiation, as well as Building Standards (Scotland).  Its facilities will include the laboratories, offices, drench showers and boot barrier in the active area, with ancillary accommodation in the clean area – offices, locker rooms and tea bar. 

The analysis that will be carried out in the new building will include radioactive particles recovered from the marine environment, samples of gaseous and liquid effluent, and nose blow samples provided by workers at risk of inhaling radiological contamination.

Because of its remote coastal location, the building and its externally-located ventilation plant will have to withstand the rigours of a highly exposed marine environment.

The new Translational Research Building is a new and additional facility for research into understanding age related health problems and what could be done to provide greater support for sufferers. The architects are Devereaux and the main contractor is ISG. S+B is working as a sub contractor and is supplying the lab furniture.

Institute of Child Health – following a successful first phase…

Institute of Child Health – following a successful first phase, S+B have been appointed to supply and install the fume cupboards and lab furniture for the second phase of this new research facility. This two stage project will create a state of the art research facility for ICH, part of University College London, enabling top scientific teams to carry out leading edge research into childhood illnesses. The architects are Wilson Mason, London and main contractors are Kier.

New production plant – in order to improve our lead times, reduce waste and improve the quality of product we supply to customers, S+B has invested in new state of the art CNC Router, Beam Saw and Edge Bander from Homag, Europes leading machine tool supplier. The new plant will be fully operational by the end of 2011 and our customers will see the benefit immediately.

S+B UK have recently been awarded a further laboratory installation at Cardinal Newman College following the success of several installations last year. The ‘wing’ system furniture design, developed by S+B UK team has proved to be a success at Cardinal Newman and has achieved the working environment desired by the school. This involved catering for a traditional teaching style whilst creating modern and unique design.

S+B secure the lab furniture contract for this new £16.5m research facility. Having gone through a competitive tender process, S+B worked closely with the Architects Fairhurst Design and the main contractor Shepherd Construction to help close out the final design and specification to fully reflect the clients objectives. This new facility will provide employment for 600 researchers.

The 5950m² Apex facility will be built on land adjacent to the University’s Bioscience Building and once complete, will accommodate 600 researchers who will support the University’s health research into infectious diseases, cancer and digestive diseases.  Steve Dickson, Director of Estates Facilities Management at the University said, “this new facility will provide an inter-disciplinary research environment that will build on the University of Liverpool international reputation for health research”