The design, construction, installation, and validation of four “turnkey” CL3 laboratory suites at Malta’s Mater Dei Hospital in Msida has been undertaken by Oldham-based “clean air” system specialist Medical Air Technology (MAT).
The new acute hospital is also a teaching facility for the neighbouring University of Malta, and a “flagship facility” for the country’s healthcare. Covering some 160 m2, the laboratory suites will enable research in a safe, contained environment, and are designed in accordance with the latest ACDP (Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens) guidelines. Each has a dedicated air handling unit, and will be operated at balanced negative pressures with the supply and extract air via HEPA filters. The entire suite was finished in welded sheet vinyl, but with walls and ceilings in GRP to ensure an easily cleanable, durable, and safe, leak-proof structure. The ability to seal off the suite for gaseous sterilisation was incorporated, alongside a “man down” alarm, CCTV system, and a link to the hospital’s building management system. MAT has been designing and engineering “clean air” systems to provide protection in potentially hazardous and sensitive manufacturing and healthcare environments for 30 years.
