The Colborne Architectural Group was commissioned by SFU Facilities Management in the fall of 2002 to review site plan options for location of a 1,200 sq. ft. hazardous materials storage facility to consolidate central campus science lab waste. No processing was to occur, simply bulking of chemicals and holding in a secure environment for regular removal by waste disposal contractors. The facility was also to be accessible to Science Faculty and campus Safety Office staff.

Due to the sensitive nature of the use, several potential sites were considered. Eventually, it was decided that adjacency to SFU’s Facilities Management Administration / Central Stores complex with its existing service vehicle loading and holding facilities was the preferred location, immediately adjacent to a secure flammable storage area.

The new single-storey, concrete and steel frame building is set into a steep embankment, easily accessed from central doors facing an expanded loading dock with freight lift. The interior is a simple, open plan with flexible work area, bulk chemical storage rack area, administrative office and washroom. Finishes are very durable – sealed concrete slab (sloped to a central spill sump), painted concrete or concrete block walls and open steel frame roof structure with exposed mechanical and electrical fixtures. Work surfaces are all non-corrosive as are all fixtures, storage racks and bulk storage containment pallets.

The fully grounded building uses all ‘spark-proof’ light fixtures and mechanical equipment. Large skylights were introduced to eliminate the need for light fixtures to be activated other than for winter or night usage. A base building ventilation system runs at all times with high velocity capacity available during bulking activities. All aspects of the buildings operation and fit-out were carefully reviewed by City of Burnaby authorities for compliance with strict Provincial hazardous material handling requirements.