Norwood, the specialist in demountable modular partitioning, ceilings and doors for cGMP environments, has completed the installation of their flagship cleanroom system to create manufacturing, research & development facilities for a leading provider of innovative inhaled drug delivery services, Vectura.
The company was appointed by main contractor, TCi construction WORKS, to supply and install an internal wall and ceiling system that could provide flexibility and be installed to an expedited programme, while achieving ISO 7 cleanroom and cGMP standards.
The expansion project comprised the remodelling and refurbishment of the existing 800 sqm storage space at Vectura's operational facility in Chippenham. Norwood Mediline partitioning system was the ideal solution, allowing the build to be prefabricated and modulated; however, still giving their second fix subcontractors full access to the partition void, which included compressed air, purified water supplies, mechanical and electrical supplies.
Norwood was responsible for designing, manufacturing and installing an antibacterial cleanroom partitioning system totalling 500 sqm. The system included non-fire-rated and 60-minutes fire-rated walls and insulated Mediline panels, which were supplied for a temperature-controlled store.
Cleanability has been ensured through the hygienic finish of the partition panels and, in particular, by incorporating recessed radiused coving at ceiling-to-wall joints, providing a smooth, clean finish throughout the room. Similarly, ledges were eliminated by the flush mounting of vision panels without compromising room cleanliness and qualification.
The company's remit also included a 328 sqm walk-on ceiling with a 250 kg Safe Working Load (SWL) capacity to enable ease of maintenance.
The requirement to provide the compliant facilities within extremely challenging timescales drives us to adopt innovative construction methods
Callum Bowden, Project Director, TCi construction WORKS, said: "The requirement to provide the compliant facilities within extremely challenging timescales drives us to adopt innovative construction methods that will accelerate installation and provide additional safety levels whilst ensuring the highest quality standards. We found Norwood's demountable cleanroom system to be a perfect solution for our client.
Norwood also provided a range of their standard 30 minute fire-rated metal doors throughout the facility. For this element of the project, they also designed bespoke 60 minute fire-rated, hermetically sealed, automatic sliding doors, which have been inter-connected with Norwood's emergency escape panels. This integrated emergency escape function allows the doors to remain open as soon as the emergency panel is opened.
All Norwood products feature a bio-based coating which uses a substantial portion of Swedish rapeseed oil instead of traditional fossil fuel oils. This unique, patented solution has provided additional environmental benefits to the project.
Working collaboratively, Norwood attended TCi’s regular design workshops to develop a solution that could meet the stringent specification and maintain a high quality whilst providing flexibility to allow for remodelling the spaces quickly and easily in the future. Norwood's in-house design team provided drawings and BIM REVIT families of the proposed system, which have been added to the fully coordinated model. To meet the project timescales, TCi’s fortnightly programme meetings were utilised and attended, ensuring the manufacturing and installation schedules were regularly updated, and all deadlines of the 22-week programme were successfully met.
Bowden continued: “Norwood's in-house design, manufacturing and installation capabilities, high-quality products and their team's proactive and flexible approach made them the ideal collaborative partner on this highly specified project. We look forward to further developing our relationship with Norwood and working with their team on many exciting projects in the future."