The project kicked off in January 2020, two months prior to COVID’s arrival in North America. COVID-related restrictions impacted how everyone did business. For example, at one point inspectors were no longer inspecting, and permits were delayed, if issued at all. When we could get onsite, there were extra precautions to take including creating a clear delineation between the construction space and the rest of the building with employees on premises (we even had a separate washroom for the crew). Essentially, COVID added an extra layer of problem-solving to the project – to find ways to move the project forward with COVID-related restrictions in place, with some necessary resources unavailable, and with supply chain delays. It was a large exercise in figuring out alternatives, and in getting the job done in spite of major factors outside of our control. 

One challenge related to the specific safety requirements was to create a spill containment system. This required that the room be allowed to flood, to contain the spill to the room. To achieve this the door includes a gate that comes up when water spills. It stops the door from being opened and allows the room to flood up to two feet. The water is contained and then discharged separately so as to not contaminate the drains.