Virginia Tech’s Environmental Health and Safety department in conjunction with Wiley Wilson, a professional architectural and engineering firm, received the Honor Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Virginia for the design of the university's Materials Management Facility.

Working with engineers from Environmental Health and Safety, Wiley Wilson designed the 7,500-square-foot facility located on Airport Road to safely and efficiently manage a wide range of waste materials, accommodate changes in waste characteristics, and allow for future expansion if needed.

"We are proud of the Materials Management Facility, which is the result of exceptional collaboration between Wiley Wilson and university staff," said Vice President for Administrative Services Sherwood Wilson. 

The facility, built by G&H Contracting of Salem, Va. was completed in 2010 at a cost of $3.5 million. It enables Virginia Tech to safely handle a wide range of wastes. Special storage rooms accommodate each waste type, positively separating incompatible wastes. Flammable liquids are confined to areas rated for explosion hazards with special static electricity grounding provisions for containers. One area incorporates blast damage venting construction for special wastes stored inside. All areas of the facility have spill containment and exhaust systems to protect workers and the environment.

"Maintaining a large research program means Virginia Tech researchers will use materials with properties requiring extensive precautions,” said Lance Franklin, director of environmental health and safety. "We are fortunate to have this facility to consolidate waste materials generated from research and academic programs. 

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students and manages a research portfolio of $513 million. The university fulfills its land-grant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.

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