Keele University - Lennard-Jones Laboratories

Keele University has been working on numerous schemes to upgrade and modernise their laboratory buildings on their campus in Staffordshire.

J Tomlinson was successfully appointed to carry out the project in the summer of 2016 to have the new laboratory available for use at the start of the new university academic year.

The project successfully gives the university science teams a new modern facility suitable for the needs of their students and to enhance their learning experience.

J Tomlinson’s commercial refurbishment team was appointed to undertake this project for Keele University in the summer of 2016 - working to a tight 14-week programme.

This involved the total refurbishment of a research laboratory located on the first storey of the Lennard-Jones building at their Staffordshire campus. Key elements of works included floor finishes, ceilings, internal decoration, installation of new work benches, fume cupboards, the creation of a new drench shower room, and mechanical and electrical upgrades to the original 1960s building. On the roof, a full redesign and installation of the air handling units and fume extractors was required to ensure the systems were brought up to standard to accommodate these new lab facilities. The deployment of a large crane for lifting operations in this restricted site was carefully coordinated to eliminate as much risk and disruption as possible. The second and third floors of the building remained in use for teaching and research throughout the project.

Clear segregation of working areas and considerate working techniques maintained high levels of safety, while regular liaison with the customer enabled the successful management of our site traffic and delivery schedules causing minimal disruption to students and staff. Site logistics and operations from our onsite compound were essential for the successful management of the works on the campus, due to its central location and the volume of students in the area.

Upon completion of the project, we successfully handed over the new facility to the estates team, providing the appropriate training to ensure a swift transition process.

ACCIDENT-FREE PROJECT – throughout the duration the project J Tomlinson maintained an accident free health and safety record.

ON-TIME AND BUDGET COMPLETON – best value from our local supply chain and workforce enabled the project to be delivered within the client’s budget

MINIMAL DISRUPTION TO UNIVERSITY OPERATIONS – our site teams were successful in creating minimal disruption to students and staff during this key time for the university

COMMENDATION FROM CLIENT:

“Their approach to us as a customer was second to none and nothing was too much to ask of them. Throughout the contract all work was carried out to a very high standard and completed on budget – ready for our students to begin using the labs at the start of term. Overall, it was a great first project experience working with J Tomlinson.” – Jamys Peacock, Project Manager, Keele University