Aircraft Hangar Transformed into Advanced Testing Facility

Klick transformed a 12,000 sq ft aircraft hangar for AFC Energy, creating five specialist laboratories with flexible furniture, pressurised environments, specialist gases and integrated M&E and HVAC services.

AFC Energy required a lab construction specialist to provide a technical solution for the conversion of a 12,000 sq ft empty aircraft hangar. Their goal was to create a state-of-the-art testing and manufacturing facility within a challenging timeframe.

Lab Design and Construction
The 5 new labs would showcase AFC’s capabilities to prospective clients and investors in the green tech sector. Design input was critical to the success of the project and Klick’s design team worked closely with all stakeholders ensuring the optimum building layout was achieved to improve workflow and offer flexibility for lab users.

The future proofed design allows for business expansion. The majority of the furniture is flexible with mobile cabinets and moveable lab tables connected with a daisy chained electrical system. Additional trunking and sockets are located around the perimeter of the labs which are surplus to current requirements but provide the infrastructure for extra workstations and equipment to be added in the future when required.

Construction of Specialist Laboratory Areas
Following design freeze Klick partitioned the space to create 5 new labs, making practical suggestions to improve functionality. Bespoke features were included in the labs to accommodate AFC’s testing and production requirements.

Klick managed the installation of the HVAC system necessary to support the facility including the pressurised sealed labs. Specialist gases and make up air were also required and Klick were responsible for managing all mechanical & electrical aspects of the project.

Other technical features to complete the project included, Cat 6 E cabling, fob entry to labs/new corridor and a specialist PIR system with recessed microwave sensors.