ROSALIND FRANKLIN LABORATORY, LEAMINGTON SPA

Project
Mega Lab NHS Test and Trace Facility
Location
Royal Leamington Spa, England, United Kingdom
Application
20,000m2 CAT2++ freestanding containment labs providing full support of all distributed services
Walls
M100 with associated structural framework, pre-formed corners and MIDDAS aluminium coving
Ceilings
Third party ceiling with MIDDAS walk-on service deck (MAX load 2.5kN/m2)
Doors
Solid (NFR); Flush glazed half/single/double leaf with access control (NFR; FR60); Integration with third party sliding doors
Glazing
Flush glazed vision panels (NFR; FR60)
Performance
Freestanding structure (Max load 2.5kN/m2 with clear spans up to 6.5m); Acoustic (47db Rw); Class 0 to BS 476 Parts 6 & 7; Structure (Heavy Duty BS 5234 Part 2)
Miscellaneous
Integration of HVAC and services within MIDDAS partitions; off-site DfMA manufacture for fast-track project delivery to meet tight deadline

BACKGROUND

As part of its response to Covid-19, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) commissioned a globally important ‘megalab’, the largest of its kind in the UK, to be delivered on a fast-track schedule. The facility would offer world-leading testing and diagnostic capabilities.

BRIEF

MIDDAS worked with Mace, WSP and HOK to design a freestanding structure as an ideal solution. The project was delivered by Tier 1 contractor Balfour Beatty, with MIDDAS appointed to manufacture the freestanding structures, laboratory partitioning, door sets, vision panels and walk-on service deck. The laboratory lines would be constructed within an existing lightweight steel frame building, so the ability for M&E services to be supported from the MIDDAS structure was a critical factor. This ensured no load was added to the building structure’s framework and eliminated the need for any structural modifications.

SOLUTION

MIDDAS provided its M100 bi-panel wall system and associated structural framework as a purpose designed freestanding structure, configured in a variety of specifications. The laboratory environments were designed to operate at negative pressure, with third party MEP and ceiling system supported off the structure. A walk-on service deck provided maintenance access across the complete structure, with built-in edge protection at the perimeter of the facility.

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July 2022   |  2.54 MB

“MIDDAS were identified as our key supplier based on their delivery of previous fast-track freestanding healthcare projects and prefabricated system build solutions. They were able to meet every challenging technical requirement we put forward and still deliver to the super accelerated, time-critical programme of works.”

Frank Randles, Business Unit Director, Pharma & Life Sciences Mace