Portakabins to replace fire-ravaged university lab
● 44 units to make biomedical science facility
Temporary science labs made from Portakabins are to be built at St Andrews University after a fire ripped through the biomedical sciences building, which undertakes worldleading research.
While the original building’s compartment design restricted the spread of the blaze in February, the operation to douse the flames caused extensive water-damage to all areas of the facility on the North Haugh.
No-one was injured in the blaze, but extensive research and specimens, including stored reagents and biological material, were lost in the process.
Installation of the new facilities will start this month. Construction and specialist internal fit-out works are due for completion by mid-october at a cost of £9 million.
Starting from Monday, forty-four Portakabins, which fit together to create a specialist laboratory complex, will be transported from York to St Andrews and craned into position to create the new building.
The modular units will be transported by articulated lorry and this may cause some temporary disruption to traffic on the North Haugh on delivery.
The Portakabins will allow important research to be restarted, while the lengthy operation to recover the building continues.
The new temporary complex will accommodate biology teaching and research laboratories alongside bespoke office spaces. The specialist modular units are built at the Portakabin factory in York.
Professor Tom Brown, dean of science at the university, said the new temporary labs would “show the world we are open for business”.
“The fire at the biomedical sciences building was devastating to not only the researchers, students and staff here in St Andrews, but was also felt across the whole scientific community.
“The construction of the temporary lab facilities ensures that the groundbreaking research carried out within the biomedical sciences building continues ... delivering results of real global significance.”
Further development of new chemistry research labs within the Purdie Building at the North Haugh will also take place at a cost of £3m. Existing biology teaching within the Purdie Building will be relocated to the new modular labs.
Following the clearance works, a full assessment of the damage will take place over coming months.