Hoare was asked to provide a complete turnkey package to include the supply and fitting of furniture, fume cupboards, electrical and mechanical services including fume extract system, floor coverings, decorations and a suspended ceiling at the Geoffrey Schofield Laboratories (GSL) near Whitehaven GSL is a purpose-built analytical facility used for environmental monitoring of samples from BNFL Sellafield and the surrounding area. Hoare proved the ideal contractor for the job. Not only were we able to come up with immediate cost-saving ideas but our extensive knowledge of fume extract systems meant we were able to produce inspirational solutions to problems which arose during the course of the contract. Experience and expertise BNFL had an existing bank of seven fume cupboards, served by a 'scrubbed' fume extract system, plus an overbench canopy hood served by an 'un-scrubbed' fume extract system, with a supply air make-up system designed for those specific extract volumes. The company wanted to replace the seven fume cupboards like for like, but replace the hood with five larger fume cupboards. However, these would have required a greater fume extract volume than the hood and, using conventional constant volume 'face and bypass' fume cupboards, would have meant replacing the entire fume extract system AND the supply air make-up system - a very expensive and time-consuming task. Hoare's suggestion of using a VAV (variable air volume) system to overcome the difficulty, at moderate cost, was welcomed by BNFL, who were anxious to have the labs up and running again in as short a space of time as possible. Unfortunately, the BNFL job was further complicated by the fact that the existing extract and air make-up systems were common systems, shared with other laboratories with the building, which meant that they all had to be rebalanced. Also, the neighbouring lab had another overbench canopy hood sharing the 'un-scrubbed' extract system. BNFL set out with the intention of having all their fume cupboards on a 'scrubbed' fume extract ssytem; this posed further difficulties, as none of the existing 'scrubbed' systems had spare capacity for the extract from the five additional fume cupboards and there was no room within the existing plantroom to add another fume scrubber. Hoare came up with yet another idea - scrubbing at source, using 'Waterwash' type fume cupboards. Waterwash fume cupboards, adapted for work with aggressive acids effectively have their own in-built fume washing system, whereby the extracted fume passes through a water mist and the acid content is diluted prior to entering the extract system.

The use of a considerable amount of water could have been a costly solution for BNFL; however, we were able to design a recirculating system for the bank of five new waterwash fume cupboards, comprising a reservoir tank and pumped pipework system, leaving only the single waterwash cupboard in the bank of seven going straight to the drain. The recirculating system serving the other five was fully automated and interlocked with the fume extract systems and the pH level constantly monitored. Speed and efficiency The contract was first considered towards the end of 20xx. However, the most important element of the contract was that it should be completed speedily, efficiently and meet stringent standards. Our input in the early stages resulted in immediate cost savings for BNFL, who also stood to gain long-term energy savings from the fume cupboards. BNFL was so confident that Hoare could deliver a quality service within a tight timeframe, they decided to proceed on a single tender basis. Right people for the job Andy Hoare, Sales Director said "The combination of our knowledge and products put us in a far stronger position than our competitors. We identified a number of solutions to problems they had not even thought of, our extract solution was something they had not even considered. By installing VAV fume cupboards, we were able to overcome the air volume problems easily and cost-effectively. As well as the 12 fume cupboards, which incorporate ventilated storage cabinets for acids, solvents and general chemicals, Hoare also supplied and fitted a wash handbasin, epoxy resin sinktops, a stainless steel wash-up sinktop and a Potteau-labo pedestal lab benching system. Hoare also supplied and fitted a welded vinyl floor covering, a suspended ceiling, lighting and full decorations." Laboratory Manager Ian Maidment said: "The combination of modern facilities, state of the art equipment and technical know-how provides us with an excellent base from which to undertake many problems associated with the analysis of complex environmental matrices... Our contract with Hoare went very well. The design is very good and done to a modern standard and is fit for purpose. The company exercised good engineering practices and certainly provided us with cost savings on the ventilation aspect of the job."

SERVICES Technical Services Installations Contracting Laboratory Safety Mail Order Maintenance & Repairs

PRODUCTS Laboratory Furniture - Fume Cupboards Safety & Ancillary Products Fume Extraction, Supply Air & Ventilation Mechanical Pipework - Electrical Wiring Minor Building Works & Alterations Laboratory Seating - Technical Doors