Structure Tone is a leader in safety during construction. So when Novartis decided to renovate its facilities in New York and New Jersey they turned to Structure Tone for its construction management services. For the past five years Structure Tone has been responsible for demolition; renovation; build-out; mechanical, electrical, and plumbing upgrades; fire protection and logistical planning work in six facilities throughout the region.
The most important aspect of any job for Novartis is safety. With work being completed in occupied spaces, special considerations were made for each project. Structure Tone’s team, in conjunction with our safety director, developed a site specific safety program for each project to ensure that all employees, construction workers and visitors were cared for during construction.
Decommissioning of a Laboratory
Structure Tone’s work at Building 404 in New Jersey included architectural, plumbing, fire protection, mechanical and electrical demolition and renovation construction on three floors. Work also entailed the decommissioning and demolition of an existing laboratory and animal testing facilities, including water purification and feeding systems, cage washes, epoxy lab flooring, casework and MEPS items.
The project required a high level of logistical planning and coordination with Novartis, the architect and the building manager since construction was completed on all three floors simultaneously and while occupied by Novartis employees throughout the construction.
Clean Room Construction
At the Old Mill Road in New York facility Structure Tone provided general contracting services for the renovation and expansion of a 2,500sf clean room. The project began with the demolition of the existing room—located in a highly sensitive laboratory area. The new space is a clean zone area and successfully met Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) standards and requirements. The project was conducted on an eight week, fast-track schedule and included installation of new doors, stone hard epoxy floor and ceiling. A key project feature was the installation of temporary walls with negative pressure in the existing adjacent packaging area in order to keep the packing plant’s air system separate from the expanded area’s system. The new area now includes a new packing line and additional open space for packaging equipment.
