SciMed, a subsidiary of Boston Scientific Corporation, develops and manufactures interventional cardiology catheters. The Phase II building is a two-story building comprising approximately 253,000 gross square feet of floor area, not including the interstitial space platforms or catwalks. From a mechanical standpoint, attention was focused on clean environments and production spaces. Both of these areas, have stringent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements for temperature and humidity levels which must be maintained at all times.

SciMed’s manufacturing processes are continually changing. In other facilities, when changes are to be made, CE spaces must be shut down to allow for construction or maintenance crews to come in and make modifications to the mechanical and electrical systems. The challenge to MCE was to develop an interstitial space where changes could be made immediately, without having to stop production. By using a state-of-the-art system of catwalks and gridwork, we were able to accomplish this very task. Ductwork and piping were carefully coordinated with the catwalk systems to avoid conflicts, and a grid system was installed approximately two feet from the ceiling. Ceilings and lights were hung from the underside of this grid to keep all hanger wires from interfering with the interstitial space. In addition, gas service piping was installed below the grid to allow for easy reconfiguration of these systems. The interstitial space was equipped with exhaust systems with variable speed fans to accommodate the addition or removal of exhaust air. As a result of the innovative engineering solutions MCE employed for the SciMed facility, this project was entered in the prestigious MSPE’s Seven Wonders of Engineering competition.