MQU BioFoundry PC2 Laboratory

This project consists of approximately 400m2 of PC2 laboratory. The architectural layouts were provided by MCA Architects. The engineering services were designed by VOS Group and contains the following main feature services:

• Air Conditioning and pressure management (negative air entrainment PC2).
• Fume cabinet and local exhaust systems (Nederman arm and vacuum exhaust systems).
• Pipe laboratory gases and ozone depletion systems.
• Laboratory sanitary waste systems, hot and cold potable and non-potable) water systems.
• General and specialist power systems and laboratory lighting systems.

The existing building has been modified to house the new Biofoundry PC2 laboratory. All mechanical electrical and hydraulic systems within the laboratory have been either relocated or replaced. Part of the works included the relocation of a PC2 instrument lab to another level of the building, which had to be integrated int a working laboratory on the same level.

This is the first such facility at Macquarie University and required very close liaison with the users of the facility to create the specific philosophy for the services to meet their needs.

The MCA Architects designed fitout of this laboratory includes specialist power systems connected back to a dedicated UPS plant located in a newly constructed comms and UPS room.

The mechanical services have been designed to maintain negative air entrainment into the facility, which must operate with varying rates of exhaust through fume cabinets used in the facility. The supply air and exhaust systems modulate in response to the operation of the sashes on the fume cabinets. A central air handling system provides supply air and comfort cooling to the facility. This is served by the existing precinct chilled water and heating water systems.

The hydraulics systems have been extended from existing supplies but this included the connection of trade waste drainage in a working laboratory below the BioFoundry.

The project was designed to incorporate significant infrastructure modification, which included a full building main electrical board upgrade and hydrant system compliance upgrade (under separate stages).