The University of Melbourne’s Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience is at the forefront of scientific research into human health and disease. 

Recognised for its innovation in teaching and medical research within specialist fields including neuroscience, metabolism, diabetes and cell biology, the department’s facilities are integral to the employment of novel and innovative research methods.

The redevelopment of the University’s Anatomy Facility involved extensive infrastructure assessment to determine the capacity to achieve new exposure limitations. The re-purposing of the ageing building to accommodate complex and sensitive teaching functions was a particularly complex challenge for the teams involved.

This project, driven by a significant reduction in the exposure limit to formaldehyde imposed by Safe Work Australia (SWA), comprised upgraded anatomy teaching facilities within the medical building (BN 181) and provides the university with operational readiness to allow the facility to continue its operations when the new exposure limits are ratified.

The project, one of the first nationally to address the new SWA requirements, includes:

• A new anatomy teaching laboratory, replacing the existing facility on the same level;
• New HVAC systems that incorporate high air change and single pass air, designed for ventilation effectiveness;
• Major upgrades of HVAC systems to the existing support areas comprising embalming, preparation and cold storage;
• A real life mock-up incorporating calibrated formaldehyde sensors mounted into the breathing zone to verify outcomes from the CFD study in real working conditions.