As the lead agency for the Australian Government in science and technology application, the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) works to protect Australia and its national interests. Their specialist research facility at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia includes a Laboratory and Anechoic Chamber, which is essential for calculating radar detection probability, a key component of electronic warfare and stealth research programs.
By eliminating electromagnetic and sound wave reflections, an anechoic chamber provides a controlled setting for testing how objects and surfaces absorb radar signals. Given the high level of precision needed to build and operate such a facility, it is vital to have well-structured and accurate handover documentation.
McMahon Services, acting as the Main Contractor, appointed Dewick & Associates to provide a comprehensive suite of Building Handover Manuals and As-Installed Drawings, all produced in the mandatory Defence Format.
Our contribution to the project encompassed Architectural, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Security, and Fire O&M Manuals, as well as As-Installed Drawings complete with all necessary Metadata.
By Louise Gardner
Credit: The image depicts an Anechoic Chamber. It is not from the actual project site.
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McMahon Services is a South Australian contractor with a well-established track record in delivering complex industrial, civil and government projects, including work across the Defence estate.
The Edinburgh Laboratory & Anechoic Chamber project included the implementation of security measures & electronic access control systems. Additionally, it entailed establishing reliable power & communication connections to ensure continuous on-site operations. The project involved constructing a new storage area, installing shelving units for efficient storage, & enhancing the security of the double doors with new seals.
The precision requirements of an anechoic chamber, and the strict documentation, Metadata and formatting standards that apply to all Defence facility handovers, meant McMahon Services required a documentation partner with specific experience in producing Building Handover Manuals in the Defence Format.
An anechoic chamber is one of the most technically complex asset types within the Defence estate, requiring specialist construction methods to achieve strict electromagnetic and acoustic isolation. Every integrated system, including mechanical, electrical, fire and security, must be designed and installed without compromising chamber performance, placing significant constraints on coordination and documentation.
For the DSTG Edinburgh Laboratory project delivered for the Defence Science and Technology Group, the documentation requirements extended into a formal process with the Department of Defence. This required fully compliant Defence Format documentation with complete metadata suitable for direct integration into Defence asset management systems at handover, with no tolerance for gaps or inconsistencies.
Coordinating Architectural, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Security and Fire disciplines into a single, consistent manual set added a further layer of delivery risk and interface management.
Dewick & Associates developed the full multi-discipline manual suite covering Architectural, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Security and Fire services in the required Defence Format, working closely with McMahon Services and specialist subcontractors throughout delivery.
All manufacturers’ data, commissioning records, installation documentation, certificates and warranties were systematically collected, validated and structured to meet Defence HOTO requirements. Our produced coordinated with Defence-compliant metadata, directly aligned to the manual content to ensure consistency across all deliverables.
By managing documentation production within a single integrated workflow, we maintained alignment between site delivery, compliance requirements and HOTO milestones, reducing fragmentation and ensuring the package was ready for Defence acceptance without rework.
The project was successfully delivered as a complete, Defence-compliant HOTO package. The Defence Science and Technology Group and the Department of Defence received a fully coordinated suite of Architectural, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Security and Fire Manuals, supported by As-Installed Drawings with complete Defence metadata structure.
This provides the facility’s operations and maintenance teams with accurate, structured asset information to support ongoing performance of critical systems underpinning radar research capability, while ensuring a seamless transition through HOTO into operational use.
For McMahon Services, the deliverable enabled efficient project close-out against Defence’s stringent HOTO requirements, with documentation accepted without corrective rework and fully aligned to Defence asset management standards.
The content in this case study has been informed by project documentation and client communication provided to Dewick & Associates during and following the completion of the project. Where external sources have contributed to our understanding of relevant standards or industry practice, these are listed below.
Department of Defence HOTO Policy (Estate Project HOTO Framework) – https://www.defence.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-06/estate-project-hoto-policy.pdf
The image depicts an Anechoic Chamber. It is not from the actual project site.
Note: Some content in this case study draws on a combination of sources rather than direct quotation. Where this is the case, contributing sources are acknowledged above rather than cited inline.
Authoring of Defence Estate Quality Management Systems (DEQMS) format Building or Site Infrastructure O&M Manuals for the efficient operation, effective maintenance, decommissioning and final demolition of a building or structure. The documents are technically authored to detail each assets as detailed on the project’s GDL, recording the following:
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