Flinders University, Physical Sciences Organic Chemistry Laboratory

Swanbury Penglase were engaged in late 2016 by Flinders University to design a new Organic Chemistry Laboratory in the north east corner of level 2 of the Physical Sciences building.

The existing building was built in the late 1960’s and the area of works in the north east corner of the building had changed little since that time, incorporating some of the original laboratory spaces.

Due to the age of the building, there had been significant issues identified by the University with respect to existing Fire and Life Safety provisions being deficient with respect to current codes and standards. Of particular relevance to this project was the existing building fire compartmentation.

The new laboratory facility compromised two main spaces; a main wet laboratory space with four fume cupboards, flexible island benching and fixed wall benching supported by a smaller Equipment Laboratory with an additional Fume Cupboard and a mix of flexible, fixed and specialised wall benches.

Being located on second level down from the top of the building, there were significant challenges in reticulating fume cupboard exhaust risers through the occupied level above to the roof. These challenges were further complicated by existing fire compartmentation issues which involved extensive collaboration with our certifier and the fire service and required careful detailing of all existing and new building penetrations to ensure compliance with the NCC.