Brno biopharma hub relies on stainless steel from SANHA®
The new ‘Bio Pharma Hub’ is currently being built at Masaryk University in Brno in the Czech Republic. The Bio Pharma Hub is located in the northern part of the Masaryk University campus in Brno-Bohunice and provides infrastructure for pharmaceutical, medical and scientific disciplines. The hub will house the Faculty of Pharmacy, a preclinical centre including a large veterinary hospital and the National Institute of Infectious Diseases. The NiroSan® piping system is used for the drinking water supply, while the NiroTherm® series has been installed for the heating systems.
‘The MUNI BioPharma Hub will offer a unique combination of modern teaching facilities for the pharmaceutical faculty and first-class research facilities for the preclinical centre and the centre for molecular medicine,’ says Marta Valešová, the head of administration at Masaryk University.
Sustainability in mind
The architectural firm Pelčák a partner architekti is responsible for the entire planning of the construction project, which in particular fulfils all aspects of sustainability. ‘In the construction, we rely on green technologies and respect sustainability. Our goal is to use renewable energies as much as possible, to use water sparingly in the planning stage and to avoid waste in subsequent operation.
From a structural point of view, the main building is designed as a compact monolithic unit made of reinforced concrete without expansion joints. The building has three basement levels and five upper floors, making it a large complex that meets the research and development requirements in the relevant fields. The unique educational and research infrastructure will cover an area of 15,190 square metres. The ceremonial laying of the foundation stone is planned for January 2024, which also marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of Masaryk University.
New building offers opportunities
‘The shortage of medicines on the Czech market is a major problem. Therefore, the entire MUNI BioPharma Hub project, which accompanies the return of the pharmaceutical faculty to Masaryk University, is of great importance. It will significantly strengthen research that is crucial for the Czech Republic,’ said Martin Bareš, rector of Masaryk University.
The MUNI BioPharma Hub project will also help to ensure a sufficient supply of qualified specialists. ‘Our students will get to know processes in the pharmaceutical industry, work in clean rooms and classic laboratories, and thus be optimally prepared for practical work in the medical and pharmaceutical industries,’ explained David Vetchý, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy. The Faculty of Pharmacy is scheduled to move into the new MUNI BioPharma Hub premises in 2026, symbolically completing its integration into Masaryk University.
The entire project is designed to become an organic part of the university campus in Bohunice and to form a functional unit with the university's educational and research infrastructure, the Bohunice University Hospital and other existing or future specialist departments. In the medium term, a science and technology park is also to be connected.
High-quality piping systems for cutting-edge research: practical and safe
For the drinking water installation, the client chose the NiroSan® piping system - a total of well over 7,000 m of pipes alone, as well as the corresponding fittings up to the size of 108 mm. The system is characterised on the one hand by the excellent material properties of the stainless steel, which allow for the highest level of hygiene. The 1.4404 material, with a molybdenum content of at least 2.3% and an extremely low carbon content, also ensures a long-lasting and highly corrosion-resistant installation.
The heating system was installed with the NiroTherm® series – also up to 108 mm. The advantage of the pipe system introduced by SANHA® in 2009 is that no elaborate protective coating against external corrosion has to be applied as it does with carbon steel; even longer drying times are eliminated. This often significantly reduces the workload and installation work can be completed more quickly. NiroTherm® also offers clear advantages over copper fittings, as the material costs are generally lower. At over 9 km in total length, the scope of the installation even exceeds that of the drinking water area.
Another advantage: both piping systems feature combipress®. This unique function means that the fittings with all standard original contours up to and including 54 mm (SA, M and V) can be pressed – avoiding the costly purchase of new tools. What's more, the systems ‘do not leak when not pressed’, so any forgotten pressed connections will quickly be noticed during the pressure test. The Bio Pharma Hub in Brno is therefore relying on the latest technology and the highest standards in the important field of installation technology.