As a leader in weatherproofing for the pharmaceutical sector, Jones Weatherproofing joined Mace Group – experts in shaping the built environment – to deliver high-quality fire-rated weatherproofing for all of the service risers on AstraZeneca’s new global research and development centre.
Located at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, AstraZeneca’s state-of-the-art facility, known as the Discovery Centre (DISC), is a place where scientists can study diseases and develop treatments. It has been designed to encourage collaboration within the bioscience community, while also making the most of data and modern technologies. It is hoped that this approach will help scientists develop new treatments that could slow or even stop disease progression, preventing or even potentially curing a variety of diseases.
Jones Weatherproofing was tasked with weatherproofing more than 50 service risers for the new building. Our specialist weatherproofing system helped to ensure that the structural and thermal integrity of the roof were maintained, while also mitigating water ingress and wind damage.
In addition to protecting the building envelope, contents and occupants from the elements, the weatherproofing for this development also had to meet stringent fire safety regulations. To achieve the required outcome, Jones Weatherproofing delivered a tailored system that ensured quality and compliance.
Overcoming complex challenges to weatherproof a pharmaceutical facility
Attention to detail is critical for the pharmaceutical industry. Clean rooms, precision equipment and potentially life-saving technologies are all housed in these structures and must be protected.
The Jones Weatherproofing method of weatherproofing service risers creates reliable seals of any shape or size. We can also accommodate clusters of multiple services, removing the requirement for ‘dog kennel’ style detailing.
Due to the unique fire hazards that can exist in pharmaceutical environments, fire protection was a particular concern for this project. To ensure compliance with all legislation – including BS 9999:2017 and the Building Regulations Part B – Jones Weatherproofing focused on accuracy and communication.
The team worked hard to ensure a thorough understanding of the brief and relevant regulations. We then collaborated with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the solution we developed would meet all requirements. This included ensuring that Rockwool non-combustible insulation was used instead of PIR. Additional structural support using galvanised steel supports was also installed.
“Astra Zeneca’s DISC facility required bespoke riser weatherproofing that achieved stringent fire safety standards. The weatherproofing also needed to keep up with the constantly changing demands of a massive construction project,” explains Steve Jones, joint managing director at Jones Weatherproofing. “Our team’s expertise and collaborative approach ensured compliance with all legislative requirements, and the weatherproofing was adaptable enough to change with site schedules.”
Coordinating weatherproofing for a multiphase pharmaceutical project
With extensive experience in weatherproofing large-scale projects, Jones Weatherproofing understands that, in order for projects to run smoothly and avoid delays, meticulous planning and scheduling flexibility are essential.
Throughout the AstraZeneca DISC project, Jones Weatherproofing maintained close communication with Mace Group. The team regularly confirmed site schedules and adjusted when needed. This, combined with the quality and versatility of our weatherproofing, as well as our commitment to customer service, ensured the project remained on track and achieved all quality and regulatory requirements.
As with many pharmaceutical facilities, roof space at the DISC was extremely limited, presenting an additional challenge for our weatherproofing team. Thanks to our flexible, on-site fabricated system, we could easily adapt to the limited space without compromising on performance or quality, while also keeping to the tight project schedule.
John Kiruthi, operations director at Mace, praised Jones Weatherproofing’s contribution to the project: “The weatherproofing team worked quickly and efficiently to ensure all service risers were protected from moisture ingress and wind. They also maintained clear communication throughout the build and worked proactively to overcome any challenges.”
Following the success of the DISC weatherproofing project, Mace Group asked Jones Weatherproofing to take on the task of weatherproofing the car park, as a design issue was allowing water ingress. Although car park weatherproofing is a departure from Jones Weatherproofing’s typical scope of work, the team was happy to take on the project.
Matt Jones, commercial director at Jones Weatherproofing, explained: “When Mace asked us to weatherproof the AstraZeneca car park, it was a confirmation of the trust they place in our skills and expertise. We are proud to continue our work at this important facility.”
John Kiruthi added: “Jones Weatherproofing exceeded our expectations throughout every stage of the project. They demonstrated attention to detail, technical expertise and friendly service throughout, and we are delighted that they will be returning for the next stage of this landmark project.”
Pharmaceutical sector weatherproofing from Jones Weatherproofing
Jones Weatherproofing has over 45 years of experience in delivering innovative and reliable weatherproofing for the building envelope. We have worked across a variety of sectors, from the pharmaceutical industry to healthcare, commercial buildings and industrial projects.
To find out more about how we can support your next project, please contact us here or using the form on this page.
Sources:
https://www.astrazeneca.com/our-company/our-locations/cambridge.html#!
https://www.macegroup.com/media-centre/mace-completes-new-astrazeneca-facility-the-hub-to-support-life-sciences-community-in-cambridge
https://constructiondigital.com/construction-projects-2/building-project-focus-mace-astrazeneca-discovery-centre
