Troax Partitioning Creates New Calibration Laboratory at the New and Renewable Energy Centre

Industrial safety and partitioning specialist, Troax UK Limited, has supplied its double skin, steel Elan (formerly Excalibur) partitioning to create a new calibration laboratory at the New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC) in Hebburn, Tyne and Wear. The recent opening of the new facility makes NaREC the leading high voltage measurement laboratory in the UK, setting the benchmark for the UK’s High Voltage Reference Measurement Standards.

Established in 2002 as a Centre for Excellence for new and renewable energy technologies, NaREC works to enable the move towards a low carbon economy, both nationally and internationally, by assisting the development and growth of new energy technologies.

NaREC’s new calibration laboratory, which is located within an existing 140m high testing hall at the centre, was built by Aaran Design using Troax’s modular steel partitioning.

The solid steel Excalibur panels reach a height of 5m and have been installed together with a solid-steel ceiling, also supplied by Troax. A specialist contractor was brought in to fit a Faraday Cage to the structure to earth every component within it. The doors reach a height of 3.25m, providing access for both staff and large items of electrical equipment.

Excalibur’s double-skin steel construction was ideal for this unusual and demanding project; the two steel skins, which are of monobloc construction, are separated by a composite insulating infill which complies with all relevant Health and Safety legislation. This design ensures excellent sound and heat insulation and provides a half-hour fire rating.

Commenting on the project, Mark Ridden at Aaran Design said: “This was an interesting project which, because of the nature of the facility, involved a number of quite complex issues, such as the installation of the Faraday cage to earth the structure. Troax were involved from the outset and worked with us both on the initial design of the testing facility and throughout the construction to solve technical issues as they arose. We’ve used their partitioning systems for a number of years and they always prove to be helpful, thorough and easy to deal with.”