The Laboratory design was initially prompted by the client's need to upgrade its current facilities. Our initial brief was to look at renovating the current facility however when this was investigated it quickly became apparent that the imposition to the refinery would be unacceptable and the proposed cost warranted looking at a new stand alone facility. The proposed facility would also need to be a blast resistant structure due to its location on the refinery site.

The new 1500m2 facility provides laboratory process spaces, administration, plant rooms and dangerous goods store. The design of the building was further complicated by the need to be designed as a blast resistant structure. The final design is a single storey blast resistant structure which has been developed to an advanced level of detail because of the technical nature of the facility. Peddle Thorp were responsible for liaising with the laboratory staff directly to incorporate their detailed process needs. This was evaluated by creating a uses matrix for the process tests required to be completed in the testing of a variety of petroleum and petroleum by products.

An internal process of investigation and research had to be undertaken by Peddle Thorp as every laboratory design and type differs dependent on its use. In this laboratory the need for storage of a variety of gases, solvents and alkalies in reasonably large quantities provided its own challenges because of the need to segregate certain chemicals and allowing for spill events. The paramount consideration is the provision of a safe work environment and having in place rapid response and safety measures in the event of an accident to keep people safe.