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CASE
MULTIPLE SAFETY UPGRADES
EXPLOSION PREVENTION
COMMITMENT & EFFICIENCY BUILDING SOLUTIONS
A Canadian cosmetic manufacturing plant located in Scarborough needed to upgrade a 40×40 foot space to be Explosion Prevention (XP) rated. They would soon be taking delivery of equipment for a line of alcohol-based products. This would require significant safety infrastructure and upgrades.
In the bidding process, we took the approach of keeping it simple. By its very nature, the project had many complexities that could not be avoided. Wherever we could, we offered suggestions for simplifying elements of the design, where at first pass they might have been over-complicating matters. This was appreciated by the client and as a result, MeadowBrook was contracted to manage construction for the XP-rated manufacturing space.
Project Requirements
Explosion prevention/mitigation measures
- HVAC upgrades to accommodate fresh air circulation & exhaust
- HVAC controls, for temperature, humidity, exhaust, etc., and
- Spark-resistant materials, e.g. receptacles
Containment systems/infrastructure
- Spill
- Flood
- Sprinkler
- Fire, and
- Along the spill barrier
Explosion prevention/mitigation measures
- HVAC upgrades to accommodate fresh air circulation & exhaust
- HVAC controls, for temperature, humidity, exhaust, etc., and
- Spark-resistant materials, e.g. receptacles
Containment systems/infrastructure
- Spill
- Flood
- Sprinkler
- Fire, and
- Along the spill barrier
CLIENT NAME
LOCATION
SECTOR
MARKET
COMPLETION
CONTACT TYPE
PROJECT SIZE
Confidential
Scarborough
Manufacturing
Cosmetics
2021
Maintenance
$1.8 Million
CLIENT NAME
Confidential
LOCATION
Scarborough
SECTOR
Manufacturing
MARKET
Cosmetics
COMPLETION
Dec 2021
CONTRACT TYPE
Maintenance
PROJECT SIZE
$1.8 Million
CLIENT NAME
Confidential
MARKET
Cosmetics
LOCATION
Scarborough
COMPLETION
2021
CONTRACT TYPE
Maintenance
PROJECT SIZE
$1.8 Million
THE CHALLENGE
Upgrading safety infrastructure
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.
THE CHALLENGE
Upgrading safety infrastructure
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.
THE SOLUTION
an extraordinary customer experience
On all our projects our approach is one of collaboration with the client, their stakeholders, designers, consultants, and others. We pride ourselves on being part of the solution. When a challenge arises, we don’t stand idly by waiting to hear what the solution will be. Rather we fully participate in trouble-shooting and problem-solving, asking “How can we help?” and contributing our perspective and expertise.
THE SOLUTION
an extraordinary customer experience
On all our projects our approach is one of collaboration with the client, their stakeholders, designers, consultants, and others. We pride ourselves on being part of the solution. When a challenge arises, we don’t stand idly by waiting to hear what the solution will be. Rather we fully participate in trouble-shooting and problem-solving, asking “How can we help?” and contributing our perspective and expertise.
THE PROCESS
Seamless flow resulted in a project completed in four months with 100% satisfaction of the client.
To successfully achieve the Explosion Prevention (XP) Rating for this alcohol-based manufacturing space was the project highlight. There were so many specific requirements to this rating – containment systems, HVAC, electrical, etc – it was a relatively small space, with a very extensive list of safety requirements. It was an exciting project to work on.
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