USYD Engineering Technology Precinct: Lab Gas and Life Safety System Design Across 3 Research Levels
Client: University of Sydney / FDC
Project: Engineering Technology Precinct
Scope: Levels 7, 8, 9 — Lab Gas and Life Safety Systems
Completion Date: March 2023
Location: Sydney, NSW
Specialty Gas delivery system
Umech was engaged by FDC to design and install laboratory gas delivery and life safety systems across three floors of the new Engineering Technology Precinct (J03) at the University of Sydney. This complex infrastructure needed to support high-containment, research-critical labs using a wide range of gases — from common house gases to ultra-high purity hazardous systems.
Lab Gases Installed:
House Gases: Compressed Air, Nitrogen, Argon, Vacuum
Inert Specialty Gases: CO₂, O₂, Helium
Hazardous Gases: Hydrogen, Methane, Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen Sulphide, Ammonia
Design & Engineering:
Hydraulic sizing and distribution design for all gas lines
Revit modelling and coordination with mechanical and electrical trades
User group meetings to understand research needs and workflows
Life Safety System Design
System designed to comply with AS61508 and LOPA-based SIL targets
Gas hygiene assessments of all rooms
Safety Instrumented Functions defined and verified
Control system architecture drawings + cause and effect matrices
Three PLC-based control panels fabricated and tested in-house
Over 11 gas cabinets, sensor arrays, and gas manifolds sourced and installed
Installation Highlights
Over 10 km of gas piping installed
Mix of copper and electropolished UHP stainless steel tubing
All stainless steel lines orbitally welded
Helium vacuum leak testing on all UHP lines
System commissioning, pressure testing, O&M documentation, and asset registers delivered to University requirements
Outcome
The system was delivered on time, fully verified, and ready for live research environments. Umech’s integration of hazardous gas systems, gas detection, and life safety protocols sets the benchmark for multi-level research facility fitouts.
Planning a new research lab or upgrading gas infrastructure?
Umech has delivered lab gas and life safety systems for Australia’s top research facilities.
Laboratory gas installation