Aston Group Awarded UCL Fume Cupboard Replacement Project
Aston Group is delighted to announce we have been awarded the Fume Cupboard Replacement Project at University College London. Phase 1 of this landmark project is valued at £1.5 million, part of a wider programme worth £7.2 million in total. It represents another proud chapter in our long-standing partnership with UCL, which now spans over two decades.
Project scope
This project is highly specialised and technically demanding, covering every aspect of fume cupboard replacement across the estate. Our team will deliver the full scope end-to-end, including:
- Full survey and design for each fume cupboard
- Removal and reinstatement works (ceilings, flooring, fire stopping and decoration)
- Specialist installation of fume cupboards and extract ventilation
- Local electrical, gas and water connections
- Fire suppression systems
- BMS controls integration
- Full testing, commissioning and extract system balancing
Our track record at UCL
This award is built on a strong foundation. Below we showcase three landmark projects completed for UCL that demonstrate our capability, collaborative approach, and commitment to innovation on one of the UK's most complex live estates.
Floor Cooling Works — 6th & 7th Floor, University College London
This project involved the installation of a new chilled water system as an extension of the existing house cooling infrastructure — supplying chilled water for specialist lab equipment on the 6th floor and providing new air conditioning to rooms on both the 6th and 7th floors.
Floor Cooling and Cryostat Works — 9th & 10th Floor, University College London
Following the successful delivery of the 6th and 7th floor cooling works, Aston Group was commissioned to carry out a further phase of floor cooling and cryostat works across the 9th and 10th floors. Applying the same high standards and tested approach developed on the earlier phase, this project further cemented our working relationship with UCL's estates and facilities teams and demonstrated our ability to scale complex M&E programmes across an entire building whilst maintaining continuity of operations.
Bespoke Laboratory Safety System — UCL Ice Laboratory
As part of the refurbishment of UCL's ice laboratory in central London — used by world-leading researchers studying Antarctic ice samples — Aston Group was tasked with designing and installing a bespoke safety system. The facility operates at approximately −20°C, dropping as low as −30°C, limiting researcher access to 20-minute periods.
When briefed on the requirement, our team undertook an extensive search for an off-the-shelf solution — and found none existed. Rather than wait up to a year for a third party to develop one, our Electrical Compliance Manager, Martin Barlow, designed and built a bespoke system from the ground up, with a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) at its core.
The PLC-controlled sequence works as follows: a researcher opening the laboratory door triggers the system. They must close the door and press a green button inside to confirm their presence and start an 18-minute working timer. An amber light and sounder warn at 16 minutes, giving 2 minutes to prepare for exit. The researcher must then press a button outside the lab (safe zone) to complete the process. If this is not pressed, a local alarm sounds and a signal is sent to the GSM and Building Management System. Panic buttons with a 5-second reset window prevent false alarms. If the door is left open without reason, the alarm also sounds to protect ice samples and staff.
“We are delighted with the laboratory safety system developed for UCL by Aston Group. Although a solution wasn’t immediately apparent, their team took a proactive approach to creating a safety system for us. The unique system gives us complete peace of mind that our staff and researchers are safe while working at extreme temperatures. It was a pleasure to work with their teams.”
Looking ahead
The award of the Fume Cupboard Replacement Programme is the natural continuation of more than 20 years of trusted partnership with University College London. From complex M&E installations in occupied buildings, to world-first bespoke safety systems for extreme-temperature laboratories, our team has consistently delivered with technical precision, collaborative spirit, and an unwavering commitment to quality.
We look forward to bringing that same dedication to Phase 1 of this landmark programme, and to the many chapters of our partnership with UCL that lie ahead.