Architect and Builder Magazine South Africa March/April 2014 | Page 60

Laboratory Services
The following services were required to
be provided to any point on any of the
laboratory benches:
• 36 types of gas
• Hydrogen
• Potable water
• Fire water
• De-ionised water
• Condensate
• Plant steam
• Vulcathene drainage joints
• Calibration gases
• Fume hood extraction
• De-oxo Nitrogen
• Electrical points
• Instrument air
• LAN / Communication point
• Gas detection
• Smoke detection

PAUSE AREAS

Meeting rooms,
conference and pause
areas are provided
on each level from
the lobbies

CONFERENCE ROOM

60

a survey of all the laboratory equipment
requirements in consultation with the Infrachem
laboratory managers.
The detail design of the benches permits
the retrofit of a new division (dry wall partition)
should there be a new space requirement for
a laboratory change. The planning modules
permit potential partition divisions between
laboratories every 3.2m. Interconnected
laboratories are provided with motorised
sliding doors to allow handsfree movement for
sample trolleys.
Generic movable under-counter cabinets
were developed with options for drawer units,
open shelves (adjustable) and doors. This
permits an infinite combination of units to
suit the needs of a laboratory with leg space
for seated laboratory technicians between
the units.
1,200 linear metres of laboratory benches
were provided and planned with differing
under-counter options for seating, drawers,
cabinets and service points for equipment.

The final layouts provided for:
• 18,500 running metres of gas piping (with all
joints welded and inspected by X-Ray).
• ± 1,000 flow regulating needle valves.
• 59 state of the art (Berkley/ Esco) fume hoods.
No wet services were permitted overhead
in the ceiling void to prevent potential damage
to laboratory equipment and instruments from
leaks. All wet services and drains are provided
from below