The scientific laboratories used to carry out some of the most important research into climate change have been designed and built by engineers from EIC Alcester. Six specially equipped research pods – or cabooses – have been commissioned from EIC for use by the scientists from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).
Each of the pods is set up for use as a stand alone laboratory, and includes a radar station, radio monitoring equipment and an optical experimentation facility. Five of the self-contained units have already been shipped out to the Antarctic and installed on the ice near to the team's mother station, Halley VI, at 76°S, 27°W. The sixth is in storage at the BAS headquarters in Cambridge and is due to be sent out in late 2011.
Working closely with the BAS to ensure the design met the necessary functionality of the research facilities, EIC was commissioned to provide a solution for a series of structures. Among the many challenges of the project are ensuring the external shell and fittings can withstand temperatures as low as -50°C, prevention of heat loss from the cabin and maintenance of all mechanical and electrical systems in exceptionally harsh weather conditions.
The most simple, cost effective, and easy to transport design involved the use of 20ft by 8ft steel shipping containers fitted out with power to facilitate heating, lighting, data, and fire alarm provision. The units were specially fabricated to incorporate equipment, furniture and external instrumentation, floors and ceilings. Creation of doors and other necessary access points required the use of integral seals and additional insulation. EIC appointed experts from Central Site Accommodation to assist with the fit out and fabrication.
Richard Gilbert, EIC's project manager, said the assignment was challenging, fascinating and hugely satisfying in equal measure. He said: "Prefabrication of M&E units is becoming more common place in off site construction, so the concept itself was fairly straightforward. The challenge we faced was to ensure that the materials and systems we chose, and the method of installation, would hold up against that Antarctic weather. Despite recent harsh winters in the UK, polar conditions aren't something we had first hand experience about, which meant that working very closely with the BAS team would be hugely important.
"Steel containers were selected as the best option for the external shell, mainly due to the ease of transportation and the toughness of the external skin, we specified the materials and products for the rest of the design in conjunction with BAS. The internal fit out took approximately seven weeks per pod, with another week for testing and commissioning.
"We were delighted to have been appointed to this project by the BAS and, although I'll never see the labs in situ, it's fantastic to see photographs of them out there on the ice and to know they are involved in this very important research."
The completed cabooses were painted yellow – to help with visibility in the Antarctic – and transported to the BAS HQ in Cambridge where the specialist equipment was installed. The containers were then packed and shipped out to the Antarctic on board the research and supply ship the RSS Ernest Shackleton.
For more information about the British Antarctic Survey – research, living & working conditions and educational resources – go to www.antarctica.ac.uk