The University of Warwick’s Faculty of Medicine refurbishment project required Goss Environmental Coatings to supply and install a heavy-duty high performance hygienic coating system for the University’s important Containment Level 3 (CL3) lab area.
The University of Warwick
The world renowned and prestigious University of Warwick was founded in 1965. Its foundation was part of the government’s initiative to expand further education. It now boasts an impressive 29 academic departments and over 50 research centres and institutes. Faculties span Science, Arts, Social Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.
Industrial Hygienic Coating for Refurbishment of CL3 (Containment Level 3) Laboratory
This project initially came up for tender in 2020. However, it finally went ahead in 2022 and our hygienic coatings and sealing works were completed in June of that year.
CL3 laboratories conduct work which often includes the use of a range of high-risk biological agents and potential biological hazards. Therefore, it is essential that the hygiene qualities and durability of any coating system selected can withstand regular, intensive cleaning. Surfaces must endure a range of strong sanitisation and sterilisation agents, aggressive solvents, and on occasion steam cleaning.
After an in-depth project survey and risk assessment, Goss had technical discussions with the project’s working group. It was agreed that the hygienic coating systems, Armourglaze FG Heavy and Light, would precisely match the demanding specification. Tough and durable, and correctly installed, these hygienic systems perform the essential protective barriers required when undertaking refurbishment of a CL3 laboratory.
Armourglaze is a highly chemical-resistant two-pack polyurethane hygienic coating developed by Construction Specialities. During this particular CL3 University lab refurbishment, Construction Specialities Armourglaze FG Heavy Hygienic Coating was specified for installation to the walls and Armourglaze FG Light to the ceilings.
For further protection, the junctions between the walls and ceilings employed specialist coving installed by Goss. Pre-formed tri-mitre joints at the internal and external corners, where walls, ceiling and coving meet, were utilised to facilitate ease of cleaning and sterilisation together with additional fibreglass protection.
Installation of Armourglaze Systems
The installation of hygienic coating systems in these environments is complex. The whole process takes several days to complete, especially to meet the high and exacting standards required of CL3 labs.
Our professional and experienced team of hygienic coating installers followed an organised and well-structured installation process to achieve the desired ends:
Day 1 – Ensure safety regimes are in place. Protect sensitive surfaces. Install coving and prime the areas to be treated.
Day 2, 3 and 4 – Fibre-glassing of the areas to be treated is carefully developed, quality checked at every stage; then, on practical completion, re-checked.
Day 5 – Once the previous stages have been completed to the highest standard, the final topcoat is applied. After checking the top coating has cured, and is fully cross-linked, the team then de-mask the area. Final quality-control checks are then carried out in preparation for sign off on the completed project with the client.
Goss have over 25-years’ experience of working in CL3 labs. We have developed the installation techniques needed to create the high standards, hygienic and durable environments the sector demands.
We are proud to say that the University of Warwick were delighted with the outcome and execution of this installation, and we look forward to working with them again in the future.
