A lab doorway with the door and frame taken out so the instrument could pass.

Laboratory equipment movers and a £250k instrument that needed the door off

Sometimes laboratory equipment movers have to take a door off. In June 2024 we delivered and installed a £250k scientific device, and the site survey showed the door and frame had to come out, because there was next to no room to spare. We kept the device horizontal and bridged the steps with lite deck staging.

Client type
Scope: Delivery and installation of a £250k scientific device, including door and frame removal and staging over steps
When: June 2024
Where
Results: Device delivered and installed

The challenge

The device was worth £250k and had to stay horizontal the whole way in. The doorway was tight, with up and down steps on the route.

None of that shows on a drawing. It showed up on the site survey.

Our approach

The survey found that the door and frame needed to be removed. With them out there was just enough room, and next to none to spare. For the steps we built lite deck staging with custom scaffold legs to bridge the up and down, keeping the device level.

On laboratory moves generally we check access, write the RAMS, protect the route and keep a chain of custody. Decontamination, calibration and commissioning stay with the client or the manufacturer.

The result

The scientific device was delivered and installed, with the door and frame dealt with as part of the job.

We survey the route, write the method statement, protect floors and walls, move the instrument level, and place it where the engineer needs it. We don't calibrate or commission it. That stays with the client or manufacturer, and we work alongside them on the day.

The survey showed there was no other way through. Taking a door and frame out is quicker and safer than forcing a £250k instrument through a gap with next to no room to spare. We agree that with the site first.

Yes. Here we used lite deck staging on custom scaffold legs to bridge up and down steps, keeping the device horizontal.

We'd rather build the ramp than tilt the instrument. Send photos of the route and we'll say what it needs.

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