Construction noise from the STEM development should reduce significantly from now on as the project nears its close, although staff and students should still expect intermittent disruption right through until completion in the spring.
Activities which may cause some disturbance in the next couple of weeks are the creation of the new entrance into the Sheaf goods yard and loading bay – which will involve cutting through an existing wall – and demolition within the adjacent 4001. This work will be staggered so that access for deliveries is maintained at all times. It’s intended that the majority of these more disruptive tasks will take place outside normal teaching hours, either at weekends of before 9am. Some grinding is also scheduled to take place in this area on Monday 6 February which may be noisy.
Work to remove the old asphalt and waterproofing from the bridge across Pond Street has been completed and heavy equipment was removed from that area on Sunday. New tarmac will be laid across the bridge in the next few weeks, which will require additional equipment to be lifted into this area in around mid-February. This will necessitate a short closure of Pond Street but this will take place over a weekend to mitigate disruption to staff, students and the public.
We have now taken possession of the new chemical engineering lab, Sheaf 4014, the flight simulator room and 3006, 3007, 3009 and 3012 in EMB. These were handed back to the University a couple of weeks ahead of schedule, and it’s looking like room 4030 will be available earlier than planned as well. Underfloor heating within the new atrium should now have reached its maximum temperature which will make a difference to adjoining rooms and areas.
Preparatory work for the relocation of fire and pressurisation panels is ongoing this week, ahead of the actual switch taking place this weekend. To enable the switch to occur, it will be necessary to shut down fire detection systems in Sheaf on Saturday 28 January. As such the building will be closed to all staff, students and visitors on that day.
Finally, our contractors Houltons have appointed an company to act as BREEAM assessors for the STEM refurbishment. BREEAM, for those of you who aren’t aware, is the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for projects, infrastructure and buildings. We are aiming for a ‘very good’ rating for this project.