Benchmark Services were recently contracted by Nottingham University’s environmental sciences teaching laboratory to relocate two -80 freezers. With a tricky route between the original location and the new site, a site survey and lateral thinking were required to ensure the freezers were installed in their new home safely and securely.
Benchmark Services are experienced experts in freezer relocation. If you require any of the services covered in this case study, then please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Relocating two -80 degree freezers for a Nottingham University laboratory
Ultra-low temperature freezers, although bulky, are sensitive pieces of equipment which require care when moving. They are heavy, but the internal components can be delicate, with even minor impacts knocking a freezer out of calibration. With over twenty years of experience in laboratory relocations and calibrated equipment logistics, Benchmark Services was chosen thanks to countless previous examples of successful freezer transportation projects.
The initial enquiry from Nottingham University warned of the tricky route between sites and the necessity for a careful approach. Marble stairs provided an obstacle thanks to the lack of grip, and safety for both the equipment and the relocation specialists was foremost in the mind of the team during the planning stage.
Whenever an obstacle or awkward path between locations presents itself, the team dedicates time to a site survey to walk the ground and mitigate any risks identified. Visual inspection is always more reliable than measurements or photos by email, and it is this attention to detail from Benchmark that has rightly earned their reputation for diligence and quality of delivery. The survey team isolated key issues with the route, in particular the lack of stability underfoot, thanks to the marble staircase and instead identified ways to deliver the items without compromising their sensitive calibration or risking costly damage.
If you have a complex relocation project, then contact us for a quote here.
Relocating the freezers without using the stairs
One area where Benchmark Services sets itself apart from other less experienced or less specialised delivery companies is in its preparation before the move. Often, logistic providers will try and work “on the fly” and find a route while also moving the equipment. The two -80 freezers were too heavy and too delicate to move across the staircase while simultaneously trying to compensate for any issues that were likely to occur from the slippery surface. The freezer relocation team instead took the time to work out alternative routes between sites, including looking into ways that didn’t involve the stairs.
The laboratory had a service lift that could provide a logical and safer alternative to the marble stairs. The freezers are large, and with their wheels and handles, the dimensions were slightly too substantial to fit in the lift. As experts in sensitive laboratory equipment, the team were confident they could remove the wheels and handles without risking damage to the freezer units. Combined with the transport equipment Benchmark Services provided, this meant the stairs could be bypassed and the service lift used to deliver the freezers to their new floor.
We specialise in the relocation of laboratory equipment. Contact us here to find out more.
Delivering the freezers to their new laboratory
Once the freezers’ superfluous wheels and handles had been temporarily removed, it was then a straightforward move, via the lift, to the new laboratory location. Once located in the right positions, the Benchmark Services team refitted the removed components and checked the calibration of the freezers before signing off on the delivery. Calibration of sensitive laboratory equipment is another service offered by Benchmark Services, through a team of trusted partners and so if any issues had occurred, the team were fully equipped to ensure the recalibration could be completed before the project closed.
The freezers were successfully delivered without damage to the stairs or equipment. Stakeholders at Nottingham University were delighted with the service they received from Benchmark:
Darren Hepworth Senior Technical Manager echoed the thanks from everyone at the lab when he said: “I am genuinely impressed by how professional you all were and [how] you made a very difficult job look easy. It has been an absolute pleasure to deal with you all”.
Laboratory equipment relocation – delivered by experts
This project was an excellent example of what Benchmark Services does best. Complex relocations involving delicate equipment, requiring problem-solving, precise attention to detail and technical expertise. It’s the difference between costly repairs and downtime, and an approach that protects people, facilities and expensive equipment.
Our services include:
- Expert planning and project management
- Safe and secure transportation
- Installation and commissioning
- Storage solutions
Freezer relocation: Frequently asked questions
What is the benefit of using a specialist provider when moving ultra-low temperature freezers?
ULT freezers are much more sensitive to movement than standard commercial freezers. Specialist relocation experts such as Benchmark Services understand how to factor in weight, vibration and potential weak points so the equipment travels safely during transportation. We are also experts in delivering to difficult-to-access areas, such as first-floor delivery.
Find out more about our relocation services here
What does a full laboratory relocation service include?
Our full service includes site surveys, route planning, equipment and load assessment and a full turn-key relocation service from packing and protection of sensitive equipment through to installation and calibration after the relocation has been completed. We aim to ensure your lab teams can be up and running as soon as possible after the relocation.
Ask for a quote on laboratory relocations here.
How do relocation teams manage the risks associated with moving sensitive scientific equipment?
Planning is key to successful relocation. A site survey, like the one conducted at Nottingham University, will identify potential risks or obstacles, and our team will provide mitigation options during the planning phase before any move. We are also extremely experienced in the relocation of delicate and sensitive machinery, so we know how to assess tilt limits, providing the right lifting and transportation equipment. Plus, we can support any recalibration requirements after completing the move.
Find out more about laboratory relocation here.