The VUT repaired the headquarters of the Faculty of Chemistry on Purkyňova Street

Brno - The Brno University of Technology (VUT) has modernized the premises of the Faculty of Chemistry and the Institute of Forensic Engineering on Purkyňova Street during operation. An investment of nearly a quarter of a billion crowns helped to stop the sliding of part of the building from the 1980s, while also bringing it up to current ecological standards. Wastewater from the laboratories passes through a treatment facility.

Brno University of Technology acquired the building from the state enterprise MEOPTA in the 1990s. The gradual modernization began in 2009, with the main part of the renovations, partially funded by European money, starting in February 2014.

"What is interesting is that the entire reconstruction took place during operation, meaning that the faculty had to move classes to the part of the building where there was no construction happening at the moment," said Rector Petr Štěpánek.

The section of the building housing employee offices had serious structural issues. "Due to the building being undersaturated with moisture and technological shortcomings of the construction, there was a gradual sinking of the entire structure. This was manifested by cracks in the walls and floors," described Dean Martin Weiter.

The builders came up with a unique solution: they added new micropiles to the foundational structure, on which they "suspended" the new ceilings and columns. In total, 62 new micropiles with a total length of 670 meters were added beneath the building.

A neutralization station with a new treatment facility was created in the basement. It removes not only acids and alkaline substances but also metals, colloidal materials, and all waste from both analytical and organic chemistry.

"Although the waste materials from the laboratories are primarily collected in containers and subsequently handed over for disposal, while rinsing laboratory glassware, students may accidentally pour small amounts of various chemicals down the drain," explained station head Pavel Diviš. He is also responsible for the collection point where all chemical waste from all VUT laboratories is brought, with separate storage for flammable materials and corrosives, as well as a safe for the most dangerous poisons.