AMMRL: Re: Drain, pipe line above ceiling tile /NMR lab (summary)

From: banghao chen <chen_at_chem.fsu.edu>
Date: Sat, 22 Sep 2012 12:54:19 -0400

Dear All,

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience and expertise(sorry, can’t
name everyone here). Here is a summary. Because many of them were
basically the same idea, I didn’t include all responses. I hope it may
help others in future.

1.Strategy

The similar situations have been met in many universities. Different
argument strategies were used by smart brains to realize the same
goal: renovation for safety of magnet instead of praying nervously
every day. For example: (a) average the cost over how long the magnet
will reside in a new location, and make it sounds reasonable; (b)
think about anything that could happen and the price of damage that
would cause, which could then show some return on investment; (c) Try
to get support from those faculty who use and understand NMR; (d)
argue, argue, and argue….

2. Change mind
Choose the top floor of the building at the end of the hall which has
the least amount of overhead utilities in the ceiling.

3. Ceiling modification
(a) Clearance above magnet is needed for L-He filling and magnet
assembling. If the magnetic materials above ceiling are stationary,
the field will be shimmed-out during installation. The power lines
don’t seem to cause much trouble if they are well grounded and
assembled with conductive pipe sealant at the threaded joints.
(b) If there is no possible to cap off fire sprinkler systems
(normally hard to get the approval of fire authorities) but the room
permits, installing a non-magnetic metal tray (hung from the ceiling
with stainless steel metal rod). The tray has a drain with copper
pipe going to a sump-pump. It's kind of ugly but works.
(c) a 22 gauge or slightly thicker sheet of Mumetal (Alloy of Iron and
Nickel) as a false ceiling to cover up all magnetic materials. The
metal will provide easy path to the magnetic lines and can be shimmed
off; or install a soffit above the magnets which would allow you to
service the magnets yet still clearly isolate the space above the
ceiling from that below the ceiling.
(d) install "dry" sprinklers/ "double preacting" sprinkler system,
with a double trigger, smoke and heat, before the lines filled with
water. It is expensive but worthies; replace the liquid filled
bursting heads with a solder melting head, thus any sudden freezing
wouldn't rain water down.

Thanks again for your reposes.


Banghao Chen

-- 
Banghao Chen, Ph.D.
Director of NMR Facility
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Fl 32306-4390
Tel (850) 644-3334
chen_at_chem.fsu.edu
----- Message from chen_at_chem.fsu.edu ---------
     Date: Wed, 19 Sep 2012 16:58:39 -0400
     From: banghao chen <chen_at_chem.fsu.edu>
  Subject: Drain, pipe line above ceiling tile /NMR lab
       To: "ammrl_at_ammrl.org" <ammrl_at_ammrl.org>
> Dear All,
>
> We are planning to move an Oxford 500M activated shielded WB magnet  
> from old building (flood risk) to new building. However, the rooms  
> designed for NMR cannot host our expansion NMR facility (eight  
> spectrometers from 300-700M). So, the new spots can be only chosen  
> from the general instrument labs or offices with minimum modification.
>
> Current situation: The vertical and horizontal 5G lines of magnet  
> are 2.4 m and 1.7m, respectively.  The size of rooms is   around  
> 25-30 m^2. The heights of concrete and ceiling tiles are ~5m and 3m  
> to floor, respectively. It seems to be ok to raise the ceiling tile  
> for Cryogen filling and keep blank above the magnet for assembling.
>
> The problem is there are too many pipe lines above the ceiling tiles  
> (3m) of those rooms available. It is hard to find a spot with  
> sufficient “blank” space. The vent of air conditioner can be  
> re-routed, the light can be moved, static metal line near to  
> concrete will be shimmed out. But the sprinkler, the pipe lines for  
> heating/cooling water, the drain, and the power line located at  
> 3-3.5 m from floor are not easily to be capped off. No one wants to  
> see those stuff above magnet.
>
> I have checked the previous email archives, similar questions were  
> asked, but no answer to our situation. The department and committee  
> need a creative and minimum cost resolution from NMR facility. In  
> order to avoid lots of headaches (and expenses) down the road, I  
> would like to ask suggestion from those who have an experience to  
> deal with this situation. Any input will be highly appreciated.
>
> Thanks a lot,
>
> Banghao
>
> -- 
> Banghao Chen, Ph.D.
> Director of NMR Facility
> Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
> Florida State University
> Tallahassee, Fl 32306-4390
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
>  Sent via webmail for Chemistry & Biochemistry _at_ Florida State University
>  https://webmail.chem.fsu.edu
>
>
>
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Received on Sat Sep 22 2012 - 06:54:22 MST