Spaceway and Komfort have combined their expertise to deliver partitioning systems that address the needs of precision manufacturers and hygiene critical industries.
When Gooch & Housego, a manufacturer of acousto-optic and electro-optic devices and precision components, purchased Clarks Shoes’ former factory in Ilminster, Somerset, to bring its design, development and manufacturing of precision optical components under one roof, Romsey-based Spaceway Group was tasked with trans-forming the old factory into a state-of-the art facility.
The pharmaceutical, biological, medical device and micro-electronic industries demand the highest standards of cleanliness in controlled environments. Spaceway, a leading UK provider of integrated interior space solutions, had the expertise to create the environment Gooch & Housego needed. Spaceway assisted Gooch & Housego from the initial discussions and design process right through to final completion.
As well as undertaking the office fitout, Spaceway’s team also carried out the refurbishment of the existing 6,000ft2 factory building and the fitout of the new 25,000ft2 glass-fronted manufacturing facility. The selection of appropriate partitioning to divide the factories into a combination of cleanrooms, wash facilities, laboratories and offices was critical to the overall performance and look of the project.
To fit Gooch & Housego’s requirements, the factory partitioning needed to be free of ledges or grooves where dust or particles could gather, and yet still look stylish.
As Gooch & Housego’s manufacturing operation uses cleanroom standards, Spaceway needed to install partitioning from a leading manufacturer that could provide product quality assurance and test certification as well as continuity of product. To meet these specific requirements, Spaceway chose Komfort C64 partitioning for its competitive price as well as its reputation as a high quality cleanroom partitioning system.
The C64, a flexible steel monobloc partition system, has been manufactured specifically for industrial cleanrooms and medical environments, and was specifically designed to facilitate speed of build using controlled factory-assembled units.
Future relocation
Being fully demountable, the C64 system allows for full relocation should future needs dictate. The clean, flush appearance of the system is exhibited within the pre-assembled junction modules and insert skirting base. The omission of module line joints within internal corners provides easy cleaning and reduces the risk of bacterial collection.
The system has been tested for sound attenuation and achieves up to 33dB (Rw) in double glazed format. The partitioning also provides up to class ‘O’ spread of flame.
Ranges of high quality doors in various sizes are available in manual, automatic swing or sliding options. Door construction and finishes are compatible with the wall panels and have the option of fitted glazed apertures. A range of stainless steel ironmongery sets is available to complement the doors.
Increasing public awareness of hospital-acquired infections has put the spotlight on the healthcare sector and its suppliers, and their facilities also need to provide a hygienic environment.
For example, CooperVision, the world’s third largest contact lens maker and number one manufacturer of soft toric lenses, called in Spaceway recently to upgrade its facilities when it needed to expand.
CooperVision distributes high-quality lenses from its network of facilities in 12 countries across five continents and with the help of its practioner partners. The recent acquisition of Ocular Sciences together with year-on-year growth necessitated the company expanding into new premises in Segensworth, near Portsmouth in the UK.
Mammoth task
CooperVision awarded the Spaceway Group a £1.5m (€1.9m) contract for the mammoth task of upgrading its European r&d building in Chandlers Ford, Hampshire, into a modern facility that reflected the pioneering philosophy of the contact lens maker. Spaceway has now turned the structure into an eye-catching, state-of-the-art facility.
Turning its attentions to the laboratory, cleanroom and storage areas, Spaceway refurbished the existing laboratories with new ceilings, floors, lighting and trunking and reconfigured them to create an improved working environment.
Cleanrooms were installed to Class 8 using Komfort C64 and CX steel cleanroom partitioning. The CX wall system allows flexibility to conceal ductwork within the thickness of the partition.
Walk-on-ceilings have been fitted so that plant, located above the ceiling, can be maintained. Following the installation of plumbing and sinks, Spaceway arranged for easy and flexible access to services such as compressed air, chilled water, de-ionised water and gases by hanging these from the ceilings. Finally rapid roll doors were installed for easy access of machines and plant.
“Visitors now comment on the building, which speaks volumes,” says Neil Goodenough, director of r&d at CooperVision.
As every cleanroom environment requires additional products, Spaceway is also able to provide a range of accessories to complement the C64 partitioning including an emergency escape panel, flush power outlets and free standing pass-through hatch.
As part of the product package, the company is also able to offer a range of ceiling options including a walk-on ceiling consisting of interlock steel plants which allow access to vital services situated above.
The Precision CX range is also manufactured by Komfort and is a totally flexible, bi-panel partition system manufactured specifically for industrial cleanrooms and medical environments.
To help maintain a clean environment, the CX designs out dust ledges and sites for microbial and other contamination through the use of proprietary dry gaskets. A unique head extrusion allows the fitting of formed or flat coving dependent on location and specification. An adjustable recessed levelling base detail enables the vinyl flooring to be coved up the plinth, providing a flush interface between floor and wall and around glazed units.
Special pre-formed junctions can be used to speed up further on-site construction. Alternatively, cut-panel intersections negate the need for accurate surveys, when used in conjunction with the patented coving detail.
The design of the central steel stud allows the void depth to be increased up to 600mm. This enables the partition to carry and conceal services such as electrics, gas, air-handling ducting, water and data cabling – all critical requirements in a cleanroom environment.
Antibacterial coating
The environmental pre-finished metal surfaces of the Precision CX system are produced using CES400, a specially formulated product for controlled environmental surfaces. Manufactured by Corus, the pre-finished steel can be treated with Corus Assure technology, a coating with Microban antimicrobial protection that targets harmful organisms on the environmental surface and helps reduce the risk of microbial cross-contamination. Bacteria that land on the surface either from environmental or cross-contamination routes will be prevented from growing and will die.
The tax status of the demountable and re-locatable CX and C64 systems offer enhanced tax writing down allowance incentives over traditional building materials of blockwork and drylining. This equates to an initial cash value of 7.5% of the installed cost at the time of the end user paying corporation tax. The judicial precedent for the tax treatment of demountable and re-locatable partitions is set out in the case ‘Jarrold (HMIT) vs. John Good and Sons Ltd where the partitioning was allowed to be classified as plant and machinery for capital allowance purposes.
