The recent delivery of two laboratory autoclaves up to the 6^th floor of the School of Pharmacy in London’s Brunswick Square was a logistical challenge for Relay. Being unable to deliver them by more conventional means due to restricted access, we decided that a crane was the answer.

 

Timing was also critical. Because the street had to be closed for the duration, we arranged for the project to start at 8am on a Saturday, when there would be minimum disruption to traffic. The morning was also predicted to be less windy, an important consideration when lifting fragile but bulky equipment – each autoclave measured 760mm x 1280mm x 1600mm, weighted 330 kilos and was valued at £12,500. Effective planning and project management, together with skilled lifting and installation, ensured that the work was completed in only 1½ hours.

 

The School of Pharmacy is part of the University of London and the autoclaves are vital equipment used for sterilising laboratory growth media, instruments and lab waste. The sterilisation chambers have a 320 litres capacity, with operation up to 138^o C – 2.4 Bar.