SPIE UK has won an 18-month design, supply, install and commission contract for a clean room at The University of Manchester, as part of a new build being constructed by Balfour Beatty
In 2012, Manchester University announced an ambitious £1bn, 10-year investment to create a campus which was to embed sustainability within the estate and increase the positive impacts the University has on the environment.
SPIE is responsible for the design, supply, install and commission of the fabric, mechanical and electrical works for a clean room, access lobbies and concourse areas within an envelope of a new build in the University.
As a result of securing this contract, SPIE was also invited to review the Textiles Laboratory at the University, which also needed critical climate control.
To ensure the right utilities are brought to SPIE’s working area, means that those undertaking the planning work are required to coordinate with the general M&E contractor.
The work taking place within the clean room requires vibrations to be kept to a minimum, and therefore they are located within the basement of a seven-story building.
Mechanical design
SPIE was awarded the contract based on the organisation’s expertise of clean room environments, the team’s understanding of what architectural elements, such as panelling system to use, the mechanical design for climate control and pressure regimes and SPIE’s electrical expertise also proved indispensable for knowing the correct fittings for use within the clean room.
Steve Farmer, divisional managing director at SPIE UK, said: “SPIE works with a number of Universities. Earlier this year we were awarded a three-year framework contract with the University of Dundee, so we were confident that our team was best placed to undertake the works as part of the contract with Balfour Beatty.
“We are really excited to be working at such a renowned institution as The University of Manchester and look forward to carrying out the planned additional works and developing our relationship with the University.”
Aaron Fearon, M&E manager at Balfour Beatty, said: “While looking for a partner to work on the clean room contract, we received several recommendations about SPIE’s capabilities. So far, we are impressed with what they have brought to the table.
“Their ability to interrogate existing designs and analyse how it may affect the ultimate use of the space and potential issues going forward meant we could iron out any unexpected problems at the outset, preventing any future roadblocks to the work.”
