SPIE Awarded Clean room Design, Supply, Install and Commission Contract with The University of Manchester

SPIE UK will undertake the work as part of a new build being constructed by Balfour Beatty on behalf of the University

London, December 11, 2019 – SPIE UK, a subsidiary of SPIE, the independent European leader in multi-technical services in the areas of energy and communications, has won an 18-month design, supply, install and commission contract for a clean room at The University of Manchester, as part of a new build being constructed by Balfour Beatty.

Encompassing the company’s first contract win with Balfour Beatty, SPIE is responsible for the design, supply, install and commission of the fabric, mechanical and electrical works for a clean room, access lobbies and concourse areas within an envelope of a new build in the University.

The activities taking place within the clean room require vibrations to be kept to a minimum, and therefore they are located within the basement of a seven-story building. To ensure the right utilities are brought to SPIE’s working area, means that those undertaking the planning work are required to coordinate with the general M&E contractor.

In 2012, Manchester University announced an ambitious £1 billion, 10-year investment to create a world class campus, part of which was to embed sustainability within the estate and increase the positive impacts the University has on the environment. Part of the works contribute to this endeavour. The meters for the utilities form part of a coherent metering strategy to detail current energy efficiencies within the building.

SPIE was awarded the contract based on the organisation’s expertise of clean room environments, the team’s understanding of what architectural elements, such as panelling system to use, the mechanical design for climate control and pressure regimes and SPIE’s electrical expertise also proved indispensable for knowing the correct fittings for use within the clean room. SPIE’s BIM model and ‘client walk through’ capability also helped secure the works as it was possible for the client to view how they would look prior to them commencing, meaning numerous potential issues could be discussed and addressed far more quickly and efficiently.

As a result of securing this contract, SPIE was also invited to review the Textiles Laboratory at the University, which also needed critical climate control. SPIE has subsequently been awarded these additional works.

Steve Farmer, Divisional Managing Director at SPIE UK, said, “SPIE works with a number of Universities. Earlier this year we were awarded a three-year framework contract with the University of Dundee, so we were confident that our team was best placed to undertake the works as part of the contract with Balfour Beatty. We are really excited to be working at such a renowned institution as The University of Manchester and look forward to carrying out the planned additional works and developing our relationship with the University.”

Aaron Fearon, M&E Manager at Balfour Beatty said, “While looking for a partner to work on the clean room contract, we received several recommendations about SPIE’s capabilities. So far, we are impressed with what they have brought to the table. Their ability to interrogate existing designs and analyse how it may affect the ultimate use of the space and potential issues going forward meant we could iron out any unexpected problems at the outset, preventing any future roadblocks to the work.”