Diamond Scientific, Validair’s Northern Office (and a trading name of Validair (Euro) Limited) was awarded UKAS accreditation (Laboratory Number 4264) on the 1^st March 2010.  The tests covered by this accreditation can be found on the UKAS website www.ukas.com., and cover a comprehensive scope that captures nearly all of the routine tests currently offered.

This is a significant milestone in the company’s history and provides customers with a new level of assurance in the testing performed by the Diamond Team.  The rigorous assessment process and successful accreditation gives Diamond and unparalleled position in the industry.

The Validair Group are committed to the continuing improvement of all working practices, and Diamond Scientific customers can expect this reflected by the high quality work implicit in our UKAS accreditation.

Steve Ward, Validair’s Director said “It has been a tough process, the UKAS assessors are very thorough and the team at Diamond have worked extremely hard to achieve this accreditation.  It is a fantastic achievement and allows Diamond Scientific to be unique in offering such an extensive scope of UKAS accredited testing.”

Steve also added “plans are already underway to expand the accreditation through the rest of the business, and we will keep everyone posted on our progress”.

For further information in the accreditation and how we can support you, please contact Frank Cross at Diamond Scientific on 01325 481048.

Even though the recession has bitten, one company – Validair – has expanded its business over the last 18 months with two acquisitions in the field of validation and construction packages.

Based in Darlington, Diamond Scientific was acquired in February 2009, and it dovetails neatly into Validair’s testing and certification arm – Validair Euro.  Towards the end of last year, the other acquisition took place – that of Malvern-based Facility Monitoring Systems.  With its expertise in supply, installation, servicing and calibration of continuous and compliant environmental monitoring systems, this company will fit into the Validair Projects side of the business and will enhance the scope of services offered by the Validair Group of Companies.

Validair Euro was established in 1989 as a validation test house within the contamination control industry. In early 2003 the company’s services further expanded with the creation of Validair Projects – a company dedicated to providing cleanroom design consultancy, construction and project management services.

Although Validair has always offered its services across the entire British Isles from its base in Wrotham, Kent, the acquisition of these two new companies gives ideal geographical sites in the Midlands and the North of England, for even quicker response to customers’ needs.

This was an important factor, as Validair director Steve Ward explains: “We have always worked nationwide, but there are many potential clients who might have a perception of problems if you don’t have an office nearby.

“The other real advantage,” Steve continues, “is that we add to our already extensive skill bases. Training-up people to do the work is time consuming, but by having additional fully qualified personnel overnight is a massive benefit.”

The services on offer from the Validair Group of Companies are extensive – the company describes itself as being a ‘one-stop shop’ in the field of clean and controlled environments.

Validair brings to the marketplace everything from feasibility studies and design to construction, testing and validation of the facility, including the installation of environmental monitoring systems as an integral part of the cleanroom or as a stand-alone system supply direct to the end user or project developer.

Commenting on the acquisitions, Steve Ward says: “While the country may have had to contend with a recession, we have managed to continue to build our business – the acquisition of Diamond Scientific and Facility Monitoring Systems is further evidence of our continued success.” 

When life sciences specialist TREK Diagnostics was in need to fit-out a new facility in East Grinstead, it contacted Validair and got a lot more than expected.

Initially, TREK contacted Validair with a view to putting in a bid solely to develop the cleanroom facility at the heart of the manufacturing process. As director Steve Wake explains: “TREK was planning a move into new premises, and they asked us to tender for the 400m² ISO class 7 (10,000) cleanroom element. Our price was accepted, and following the detailed design phase, work was completed and ready to commission within a two month construction period on site.”

This completion was well ahead of TREK’s schedule, leaving the client with the issue of getting the rest of the building into shape. Again, Validair was able to help the client with this aspect of their facility development.

Steve continues: “We had finished the first phase of the work, but TREK still needed to appoint a contractor to do the fit-out of the rest of the building including laboratories, offices, warehouse, packing room, and toilets, together with mezzanine floors, staircases and disabled access lift.”

“While it may not be typical of the work we do, we have delivered similar schemes in the past and we knew Validair could provide TREK with exactly what they needed.”

Speedy completion of this work was essential. After just three months the building was being partially occupied, and full occupation had occurred just three months after that.

Validair was appointed to the role of principal contractor, managing all site activities including dealing with health and safety issues, and supplied and installed the physical structure, mechanical and electrical services, and some civil engineering work.

One of the biggest challenges faced by Validair was ‘working around’ the TREK staff who came in half-way through the project. However, this was successfully overcome, and TREK was delighted with the timely completion of the works, and the standards of quality that have been achieved. Work was complete after just eight months.

In a statement issued by TREK the company states: “TREK recognises and commends Validair for its excellence in technical detail and design, project management, quality personnel, commitment to deadlines and quality of end product.”

The TREK project is one further example of how Validair goes way beyond what might be expected of a specialist design and build contractor offering a complete scope of services to a demanding market sector where regulatory compliance is as important as project compliance. With its team of experienced professionals, Validair will ensure cleanroom construction is carried out to a high standard, and all the peripheral building construction can also be left in their hands.