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CANADIAN INDUSTRY ONLINE - FEB/MAR 2013
Cube Hall
the masses. Getting into the facility
requires security protocols, and a
full uniform change—before enter-
ing the mine elevator shaft entrance
CIO team members were required
to put on traditional mining equip-
ment and coveralls in order to
enter the facility. The elevator, af-
fectionately known as “the cage”,
descends underground in mere
minutes, covering the two kilome-
tres quickly, and following the ride
underground visitors walk another
two kilometres to get to the SNO-
LAB site. There is quite a contrast
between the dusty, industrial mine
that houses SNOLAB, and the facil-
ity itself.
Support infrastructure in-
side the underground lab include
HVAC, electrical power, ultra-pure
water, compressed ait, radiological
source control, radio-assay capa-
bility, chemistry lab, IT and net-
working, and materials handling
and transportation. There are very
specific requirements for operating
a laboratory of this type, and the
SNOLAB staff (approximately 50
people) support the maintenance of
the facility. The group at SNOLAB
is passionate, dedicated, and ex-
tremely experienced in their areas
of work.
SNOLAB
-
The Cube Hall is intended for either a
single large scale (15m) detector or two
or more smaller scale detectors
-
large cavern 18m long by 15m wide by
20
m high intended for large experiments
-
base of the hall is 15m below the main
level of the laboratory with access via a
stair well
-
ramp to the base of the hall was con-
structed for excavation and will continue
to be available using an air lock to pro-
vide “dirty” access for civil work in the
hall
-
a 10 tonne monorail crane is situated
along the spine of the hall, and a series
of 20 tonne attachment points are situ-
ated on the back (roof) and sides of the
hall for attaching lifting devices.
-
access to the hall is through a staging
area and control room space.
