Equipment from Actionair is helping to train engineers at GlaxoSmithKline in the design and operation of specialist airconditioning systems for the pharmaceutical industry. Actionair volume control dampers form part of an HVAC Training Rig developed by the pharmaceutical giant to meet its specialist needs. GlaxoSmithKline's Engineering team, at the product supply site at Ware in Hertfordshire, was unable to find external courses that addressed their training requirement for understanding and maintaining HVAC systems serving pharmaceutical manufacturing areas.

To solve the problem a suitable Training Rig was designed and built with the aid of Actionair and other leading building services manufacturers and the system is now fully functional. The Rig is linked to two small test rooms, which can be used to replicate conditions required for full-scale development and manufacture of pharmaceutical products.

This initiative in developing work-based building services training has won widespread praise and admiration. It's also being put to practical use. Apart from GlaxoSmithKline's own internal courses, the Rig is being offered to their own maintenance contractors and suppliers as a source of "hands-on" training in pharmaceutical a/c techniques.