Case Study: Laboratory Installation
Client: Perfectus Biomed Group
Sector: Microbiological contract testing
Completed: March 2018
Location: Scitech Daresbury, Cheshire.
Summary: Full lab installation
Services Supplied
- Design & Configuration
- Specialist Gases
- Waste Systems
- Lab Electrics
Laboratory Installation – Perfectus Biomed Group
Project Outline
Following a period of rapid growth, Perfectos Biomed decided to relocate their laboratory to improve efficiencies in the working environment with the scope to grow in the future. At Techspace One in Daresbury, the newly built premises offered a blank canvas to design and install a purpose-built laboratory bespoke to their needs within a ten-week project timescale.
Services
- Design and configuration.
- Installation and commissioning of specialist gases distribution system, including storage facilities and changeover units for CO2 and Anaerobic Gas.
- Distribution of natural gas throughout the labs, along with plumbing and chemical waste system.
- Lab electrics, including alarms and fume cupboards.
Project challenges: Creating a purpose-built laboratory for now and the future
An empty shell allowed Perfectus Biomed to design a bespoke laboratory to meet their requirements. Then, with a list of requirements for equipment and a clear vision of their end goal, Meel Group Building Services was appointed to provide the key infrastructure services – plumbing, waste, electrical, and both natural and specialist gas systems.
The Solution: Meel Group Expertise
Our Building Services team worked together with Perfectus on the following;
• Design for now and future: advising on design and layout, mapping the key services locations ensuring effective functionality now and flexibility to grow in the future with future-proof infrastructure.
• Maximising the use of space: Our team made recommendations for positioning large equipment such as fume cupboards and incubators and placement of bottled gas storage whilst considering the pressure regulations and H&S. We also ensured the workspace is utilised effectively and efficiently.
• Installation of services: Throughout the lab, our specialist engineers worked in close coordination with the furniture manufacturer; this ensured that all the 1st fix services were in place before they fitted the bespoke furniture. The Building Services team then installed the electrical wall outlets, bench-mounted gas taps and vacuum points. Hot and cold water was distributed to the various sinks along with a Vulcathene chemical waste system – terminated to the dedicated laboratory waste system.
• Meel Group sourced suppliers and sub-contractors for the building partitions, false ceilings & specialist laboratory furniture.
• Project management: Liaising and communicating with multiple suppliers, managing timelines and ascertaining responsibility. Regularly keeping the client up-to-date with progress.
• Adherence to regulations: Meeting all industry regulations, including CDM, Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR), British Compressed Gas Association (BCGA) Codes of practice, Gas Safe, and WRAS.
About Perfector Biomed:
They are a leading UKAS accredited Contract Research Organisation. They provide standard and customised microbiology with extensive experience in developing ‘fit for purpose’ experiments that mimic ‘real-life’ scenarios.
Their scientists specialise in antimicrobial, biofilm, viral, fungal and cellular research and support a variety of sectors, including; wound care, medical device, dental, household care, cosmetics and water treatment.
The results:
The project was completed on time and within budget; the new Perfectus Biomed Laboratory adheres to all required standards and regulations.
The infrastructure for growth is also in place, allowing Perfectus Biomed to expand to the lab’s function in the future.
Meel Group Building Services continues to support Perfectus Boimed with maintenance and annual servicing of the specialist gas system.
“The Meel Group specialist lab team were not afraid to voice concerns about our design aspirations and always had practical recommendations for resolutions that worked for us rather than them. They care about the little details too – I aimed to create an excellent working environment for our laboratory staff, and they recognised that small design details make a big difference.”
DR. SAMANTHA WESTGATE, CEO PERFECTUS BIOMED
