Howard Building Corporation

Work / Bio-Rad Laboratories

Project Description

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. designs, manufactures, and distributes a broad range of innovative tools and services to the life science research and clinical diagnostics markets. Founded in 1952, Bio-Rad has a global team of more than 7,750 employees and serves more than 100,000 research and industry customers worldwide through the company's global network of operations. Howard Building Corporation worked closely with architects at H. Hendy Associates on this 55 week, 7-phase laboratory remodel while Bio-Rad remained fully operational.

The project expanded the total laboratory space by approximately 10,000 square feet, and completely renovated the existing 25,000 square feet of lab space. As a result, the facility was fully upgraded to accommodate larger production volumes, with schedule and phasing developed to minimally impact current production activity. Throughout the process of construction, the large, open laboratory space was sectioned off with demising walls. With the completion of each section a full complement of City directed inspections were required, most notably individual fire alarm testing for each section. After all sections of the project were complete, a final fire inspection was completed. The team's proactive approach with the City ensured that this was a smooth process.

Scope for the project included the installation of a new DI water system, with a completely new water loop and drops, and an additional nine 10,000 pound floor scales. The project also featured diamond plated wash-pits, a 3,500 square foot walk-in cooler, and 1,500 square feet of -40C walk-in freezer space. Automatic sliding and interlocking glass doors were utilized throughout the lab to facilitate both product flow through the space and to ensure audit/inspection compliance in all clean rooms. Metal casework with new phenolic counter tops comprised the majority of the bench space, and supported the fume hoods throughout. The project also required a complete rework of the plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems in the new lab space.