Congratulations to our Hobart branch which recently completed a significant upgrade of the UTAS Chemistry Lab at the Sandy Bay Campus.
The $350-thousand project involved multiple Contact Group divisions and staff, including our specialist HVAC&R team, mechanical plumbers, electricians and a mechanical fitter.
The University of Tasmania contracted us to supply and install four new state-of-the-art Dynaflow fume cupboards.
The project, which was won through an open tender process, also included demolition work to remove old concrete plinth benchtops, a new floor and the installation of a new switchboard.
The fume cupboards are an essential piece of equipment in the laboratory, a ventilated enclosure designed to protect laboratory personnel from inhaling hazardous substances like toxic fumes, vapors, gases, dust and chemical aerosols.
Contact Group Mechanical Supervisor, Malcolm Duggan, said they provide a safe environment for conducting experiments that generate these substances, by capturing and removing them from the air.
Mr Duggan said the project was a great contract for a local company to win, allowing for local servicing, maintenance and support.
“We are Tasmania’s only Dynaflow Fume Cupboard distributor and carry a range of spare parts and expertise, meaning we can be onsite almost immediately to provide support when required, minimising downtime and interruptions for UTAS” he said.
Contact Group has multiple service technicians permanently on site at UTAS, having recently been re-awarded the fume cupboard maintenance contract as well as the fire and electrical maintenance contracts.
Project Manager, Nick Fisher, said his team did an exceptional job, considering the extremely tight timeframe and complex core drilling through the coffered ceiling to install the new exhaust fans.
Contact Group is one of the only companies in Tasmania that is NATA (National Association of Testing
Authorities) accredited for Smoke and Velocity testing for Fume Cupboard to AS/NZS 2243.8
Appendices A & B.
Having NATA accredited test reports ensures clients get access to the highest level of testing in the
world. NATA accredited reports are traceable, test instruments are calibrated annually in a NATA
accredited facility, and staff have a record of training and competency.
The accreditation is highly valued by a number of Tasmania’s leading research and educational facilities
which are clients of Contact Group, including the CSIRO including RV Investigator, AAD including RV
Nuyina, Nyrstar, Analytical Services Tasmania, Forensic Services Tasmania, and the Hutchins School.
