The Translational Research Hub (TRH) is part of Cardiff Universities £300 Million Innovation Campus master plan. The 12,000 m2 facility is comprised of a 6 Level Tower Block, homing Industry leading laboratory facilities, 6 Level Plant Room Block (CUB) and a Microscopy suite homing a state-of-the-art research microscope. In addition to this, there is an ISO 5/6 rated Cleanroom set up in 15no Bay/chase arrangements circa 1,600m2 with a separate plantroom.

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The Translational Research Hub will be home to two institutes: CCI (Cardiff Catalysis Institute) and ICS (Institute for Compound Semiconductors), with the expertise needed to transform industry. The TRH will foster partnerships with national and international enterprises to promote academic-to-business, and business-to-business relationships and fuel economic growth in Wales and beyond. High-tech lab space will support excellent research alongside facilities designed for industrial collaboration, helping to overcome traditional barriers between academia and commercial application.

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CMB first became involved in the TRH project in early 2019, getting approached at short notice. Within just 2 weeks, CMB had agreed costs of £32 Million for the project and commenced the Stage 4 design in Ernest. We had a 6-month intensive design period and began works on the site in October 2019. As the project progressed, we overcame a number of Design, Vibration and Logistical issues through detailed client/end user engagement workshops.

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In January 2020, CMB were instructed to proceed with the M&E fit out of the Cleanroom facility, including the toxic gas monitoring system that took the overall contract value to Circa £40 Million.

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The project has over 30 different M&E systems, both standard HVAC and specialist systems. The level of coordination involved in this technically challenging project was paramount to achieve the quality of the installation and functionality of the building. You can read some examples of the M&E works we carried out on the project below:

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• Vibration Isolation & Acoustics

• House, Toxic & Flammable Process Gases

• Acid/Solvent Developer Wastewater Treatment

• Process Vacuum

• Clean Dry Air

• Ultra-Pure Water

• Process Cooling Water

• Sensible Cooling

• Chemical Extract to Lab Areas

• Cleanroom Supply Air

• Acid & Solvent Extract

• General Thermal Extract

• Gas Abatement Systems

• Acid Wet Scrubbing System

• Toxic Gas Monitoring & Liquid Leak Detection.

 

The successful delivery of the TRH project reinforced CMB’s “can do” attitude, and the dedication and hard work of the entire CMB team throughout this project deserves a special mention. We are extremely proud to be part of a prestigious, landmark project in our home City of Cardiff.

 

“We contracted CMB to provide the Mechanical, Electrical, Process & Specialist Gas connections associated with the TRH Cleanroom wet deck hock up post validation, and we are extremely pleased with the quality of the level of professionalism, management and coordination they were able to provide. CMB carried out the service connection installation, testing and commissioning whilst the clean room remained in its operational state.

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We plan to Partner with them again and can recommend them without reservation to others in need of similar projects.”

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–  Rhys Garfield, Bouygues UK Commercial Manager.