Vulcathene chemical drainage has been installed extensively throughout new science laboratories, which have been developed from a 1930’s art deco style building at the University of Lincoln.

The new 5,500 square metre Joseph Banks Laboratories houses the University’s Schools of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Pharmacy. The facility has been designed to offer research, teaching and social space in a single, connected learning landscape. Providing state-of-the-art facilities, Joseph Banks Laboratories will conduct research into molecular biology, tissue biology, bioacoustics and DNA analysis, chemistry and pharmacology.

The east wing of the three storey building is dedicated to laboratories, with a mix of 40 small and medium sized research laboratories housed alongside five large teaching laboratories. Contractors Derry Ltd required a reliable chemical drainage system for use throughout the laboratories and with such complex research activities taking place, it was vital the selected drainage system could safely convey the mix of chemical waste that would be emptied into it.

Due to the volume of pipework needed for the 45 different laboratories, Derry Ltd selected Vulcathene due to the system’s proven track record in education and research environments, which made it the ideal choice for the project.

As a result, a mix of Vulcathene Enfusion and mechanical systems were installed in sizes up to 102mm to carry chemical waste from the sinks in each laboratory to the building’s drainage system in the basement.

Commenting on the project, Chris Newbold from Derry Ltd said: “With such a large volume of laboratories on this project, it was crucial the installed system could be relied upon to safely dispose of chemical waste. Vulcathene has a proven track record for laboratory drainage within education environments and so it was the ideal solution.”

Safety is the number one priority within educational facilities and because experiments and research in science laboratories often lead to unknown combinations of chemicals being created, it is imperative that the drainage system can safely transport any chemical concoctions. Vulcathene offers educational and research establishments the reassurance that it has a proven pedigree over many decades in dealing with all manner of chemical waste cocktails from laboratories across the world.

Available in sizes from 38mm – 152mm, Vulcathene is a purpose designed chemical drainage system available in two easy jointing methods; Mechanical for demountable joints and Enfusion for welded joints, offering complete flexibility for designers and installers of chemical waste systems.

A leading manufacturer of plastic pipework solutions, Durapipe UK has seen its systems successfully installed for building services and industrial applications in projects worldwide for 60 years.

Durapipe UK is a proud member of the British Plastics Federation (BPF) Plastic Pipes Group (PPG), the leading trade association representing manufacturers and material suppliers of plastic piping systems in the UK.

PPG Member companies have a responsibility to the industry to ensure products manufactured meet the needs of the application they are intended for, in addition PPG members fully support compliance with standards so installers and end users can assume BPF membership is a sign of quality assurance and compliance with these standards.

more about durapipe