Containerised Laboratory – Cape Verde Atmospheric Observatory

We were asked by the Science Department of the University of York to supply them with a laboratory to be shipped to Cape Verde. The laboratory was built using 2 x 40ft high containers placed side by side to create a laboratory, a boot / changing room, and an office.

Once shipped to Cape Verde the containers were assembled on site and used to test for trace elements of pollutants.

The specification was a follows:

  1. Supply 2 x new 40ft units.
  2. Line and insulate the interior using 18mm white melamine board, 50mm RWA45 Rockwool insulation. All fixed to 75×50 CLS timber studding.
  3. Create 2 x internal partitions, using 18mm white melamine, c/w timber sliding door.
  4. Fit 2mm black non slip flooring throughout c/w 100mm up stands.
  5. Re-Spray exterior of units white to reflect heat using Hempels marine grade paint, and re-number for shipping.
  6. Fabricated exterior personnel doors complete seals and ships door handles – recessed to comply with ISO for shipping.
  7. Supply and fit high security steel personnel doors to allow internal access once on site.
  8. Supply and fit 2.0mm steel fabricated cupboard 3m x 500mm x 2m lined with 50mm RWA45 insulation.
  9. Adapt the container corner posts corner posts for joining on site.
  10. Supply and fit UVPC tilt and turn window (1000×1000) complete with a steel security shutter.
  11. Supply and fit 1@ 5m long, 1@ 4m long 600mm x40mm melamine faced workbench , set on RHS framework.
  12. Fit certified Electrics to include:
    • 2 x 16way 3 phase consumer boards
    • 32 x RCBOS to suit above
    • 50 x twin sockets set in dado rail
    • 12 x double fluorescent strip lights c/w LED lamps (low energy, low heat)
    • 6x emergency lights
    • Smoke alarms
    • UPS
    • 3 x 32a recessed external sockets
    • 2 x 32 a recessed external isolators
    • 2 x earth boss
    • 2 x rotary isolators
    • All wired in low smoke cable , fixed in dado rail , plastic conduit and steel cable trays. All clearly marked.
    • Fuse spur & single socket for A/C units.
  13. Supply and fit A/C units with the auto re-start functionality.
  14. Supply and fit 10 off internet connections in each unit.
  15. Supply and fit gas piping to include 7 off Stainless steel ¼ inch pipe runs as per drawing with a maximum of 30 drops to terminate ¼ inch stainless steel ball value. All to be coloured coded set in steel tray.
  16. Fabricate steel rack to hold 13 off cylinder rack holders straps per rack sizes as bottles
  17. Fabricate recessed apertures with gland plates exterior supply of electrics etc.
  18. Supply and fit 10 x floor mounted lashing rings.
  19. Supply and fit 2x 300×300 aluminium Louvre vents c/w mesh interiors.
  20. Additionally supply a joining kit to include waterproof capping, securing bolts and instructions for local assembly.The units were then re-certified for shipping and loaded with the scientific equipment before being delivered to port and shipped on a container vessel to Cape Verde.