The document discusses the role of managing the interface between research organizations and teams involved in designing, constructing, and moving facilities. It focuses on minimizing research downtime by having a research representative embedded throughout the process to facilitate efficient planning, communication, and timely resolution of conflicts. The role involves listening to researcher needs, balancing those with flexibility, and negotiating communication between all parties.

1. Managing the interface
between research
organizations and design,
construction, and move
teams.
Presented to
ACS Division of Chemical Health
and Safety
Joseph Pickel, Ph.D
March 28, 2012

2. The Research Interface Role
Minimize research
program downtime by
- Having research
representative embedded
throughout process
- Efficient planning and
communications via
single point of contact
- Resolving conflicts and
concerns in timely
manner
2 Managed by UT-Battelle
for the U.S. Department of Energy Tradeline - Research Facilities

3. Oak Ridge National Laboratory evolved
from the Manhattan Project
ORNL in 1943
The Clinton Pile was the world’s first
continuously operated nuclear reactor
In the late 1940s the Laboratory
built only temporary structures,
such as these Quonset huts.
3 Managed by UT-Battelle
for the U.S. Department of Energy Tradeline - Research Facilities

4. Post War Years
• Transitions in Management and
Mission lead to period of growth
• Facilities built (4500 complex) to
support expanding research
activities
• Research labs are uniform
• Designed for chemistry, biology
and radiochemistry
• Hood, sink, utilities and fixed
casework on side walls
• Fixed casework, fixed utilities as
ORNL in early 1950s center bench
4500-N building in foreground • Shared utility chase (3’ wide)
Graphite Reactor and Quonset huts in the between adjacent labs
upper right corner.
• Individual fan units for each hood
4 Managed by UT-Battelle
for the U.S. Department of Energy Tradeline - Research Facilities

5. ORNL’s Strategic Plan recognized need for
modern facilities
Solution- Modernization of Laboratory Facilities Project:
ORNL’s strategy to provide facilities for the Next Generation of Science
Project Plan Includes: Timeline
2009
• Design and Build - (June) Break Ground
• Move and Hook-up - (Sept) Confirm Groups
- (Nov) Fit out and Initial Move
• Existing Lab Cleanout Planning
• Transition to Operations 2010
- (Mar) Initial Cleanout Begins
- (May) Casework Planning
2011
- (June) Occupancy, Move Begins
- (Oct) Physical Move Complete
- (Dec) Capital Project Complete
2012
(Existing) 4500 Complex - (Spring) Hook-ups Complete
5 Managed by UT-Battelle
- (Summer) Cleanout Complete
for the U.S. Department of Energy Tradeline - Research Facilities

6. Design/Project Team
• Base Building Design Completed Early 2009 Role of the Research Interface
– Distribution of Synthesis, Light and Heavy Instrument • Listen
Labs through out facility- Common Design to To what the researchers want
Maintain Flexibility • Balance and Pursue
– High Level Research Organization Involvement What the researchers need
• Fit Out Planning started Fall 2009 • Negotiate and Communicate
– Identify Special Requirements: Power, Laser Everything in between
Interlocks, Chilled Water Needs
– Involve all research personnel
6 Managed by UT-Battelle
for the U.S. Department of Energy Tradeline - Research Facilities

7. Managing the Interface
Between the Researchers and Design/Construction teams
Quick Facts:
~150,000 s.f. building LEED Gold Certified Facility
$95M Project
Opportunities Challenges
• Customize laboratories to research • Fit out planning required early
activities enough to allow on-time/on-
budget completion (1.5+ years
• Include features in order to prior to occupancy)
facilitate cultural change in
research: • Attempt to maintain balance
– Service corridors between research needs and
– Chemical Storage Rooms future flexibility
– Equipment Cooling Water Loops
7 Managed by UT-Battelle
for the U.S. Department of Energy Tradeline - Research Facilities

8. Move Planning
Develop Plans and Schedules for: Role of the Research Interface
• Office and Laboratory Moves • Communicate schedule and move
– Including disconnect/reconnect requirements
– Office furniture/amenities • Promote readiness activities
• Chemical Moves • Execute chemical move
• Vendor-supported moves of analytical
equipment
8 Managed by UT-Battelle
for the U.S. Department of Energy Tradeline - Research Facilities

9. Managing the Interface
Between the Researchers and Move Team
Quick Facts:
90 Labs in Existing Facility 57 Labs in new facility
15 Research Groups ~200 Personnel Moves
Opportunities Challenges
• Dedicated Resources (Riggers, • Aggressive schedule requires
Laborers, Pipefitters, Electricians) significant research cooperation
to safely disconnect, move, and
reconnect equipment • Research Programs down 1-3
months
• Make it Right attitude
9 Managed by UT-Battelle
for the U.S. Department of Energy Tradeline - Research Facilities

10. Laboratory Cleanout Team
Responsible for Role of the Research Interface
• Survey and Release Plans • Promote readiness activities
• Equipment Salvage or Disposal • Communicate cleanout goals and rules
• Chemical Reuse or disposal • Coordinate initial and final walkthroughs
• Legacy Sample and Waste removal and space hand-overs
10 Managed by UT-Battelle
for the U.S. Department of Energy Tradeline - Research Facilities

11. Managing the Interface
Between the Researchers and Cleanout Team
Pre-Move numbers
1800 Chemicals 1091 items salvaged
30,000 Samples 38 tons metal/glass removed
Opportunities Challenges
• Remove decades of legacy • Initial assignment of
materials that researchers forgot responsibilities
was in lab or was difficult to
dispose • Procrastination
• Develop team and strategy for • Surprise finds
addressing legacy issues beyond
this project
11 Managed by UT-Battelle
for the U.S. Department of Energy Tradeline - Research Facilities

12. Transition to Operations Team
Responsible for Role of the Research Interface
• Development of occupancy plans • Establish protocols for working in new
including Facility Use Agreement and facility
initial Fire Zone Configuration • Develop orientation programs
• Environmental permits • Coordinate transition from Move to
• Establishment of chemical storage and Research activities
waste collection area
12 Managed by UT-Battelle
for the U.S. Department of Energy Tradeline - Research Facilities

13. Managing the Interface
Between the Researchers and Transition to Operations Team
5 Local Exhaust Fans (2 HEPA) Internal LN2 fill station
Waste hoods in Synth Labs Shared cylinder storage area
Combination sashes on hoods Local access control system
Opportunities Challenges
• Utilize Transition to implement • Renew, Transition or modify all
changes in policy and culture safety documents, procedures and
– Inventory Control (RFID) systems
– Alignment of Systems (waste and • More opportunities for change
inventory)
than time to implement
– Waste collection, labeling and
disposition procedures – Sample management
– Full review of equipment configuration
• Implement changes in Operations
Structure
13 Managed by UT-Battelle
for the U.S. Department of Energy Tradeline - Research Facilities

14. Questions
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for the U.S. Department of Energy Tradeline - Research Facilities