Big Foot Systems

Health Protection Agency

Project Requirements

Clean Room Construction contacted Big Foot Systems when they were faced with various installation difficulties at the HPA building in Salisbury. The contractor had to renew the existing air handling equipment and install two new units on a separate part of the roof. Big Foot Systems’ design team were able to find a solution which overcame an uneven roof surface, space limitations and structural loading restrictions.

Big Foot Systems were asked to design separate frameworks for an existing AHU and Chiller located on the upper roof surface of the building. The client was concerned about the structural integrity of the old roof and wanted to find a support solution which did not penetrate the delicate surface. This would avoid the potential for leaks and allow any maintenance and possible resurfacing of the roof at a later date. To meet the requirements of both the client and the contractor a Big Foot framework was designed with large studs, raising the height of the units to 500mm above the roof surface.

Big Foot frameworks were also designed to support two AHUs used as part of the construction of a further containment facility. The capacity to adjust the height of the Big Foot frameworks was the primary reason for their selection as part of the installation on the courtyard roof. The AHUs had to be mounted on the uneven surface, spanning access covers which needed to be left unobstructed. The use of the large studs allowed sufficient space underneath the framework whilst spreading the load to protect the roof itself.

Mr Webster of Clean Room Construction commented, “The flexibility of the Big Foot frameworks gave us an ideal solution to the specific site requirements and guaranteed the protection of the roof surface our client was looking for.”