New fire protection infrastructure enabling commercial expansion within Terminal 1.
The scheme involved the provision of a new fire protection infrastructure to Terminal 1 at Heathrow Airport. The original building fire strategy had not envisaged the retail modules that the airport now required, and the existing infrastructure was insufficient to accommodate commercial activities in previously restricted locations.
As a subsequent exercise, both central terminal area water supply pump stations were completely refurbished with new plant to provide a water supply suitable for fire protection use across the terminal.
Survey, design and installation supervision across the full terminal footprint.
Osborn Associates surveyed, reported on and designed the entire sprinkler infrastructure throughout the live Terminal 1 building, covering both landside and airside areas. The company then supervised the subsequent installation works to deliver a fully compliant and certified arrangement upon completion.
As a secondary exercise, the company surveyed and designed the full upgrade scheme to both central terminal area water supply pump stations, then supervised the installation works including all testing and commissioning.
Delivering fire protection works within a live international airport terminal.
Working within a live terminal building demanded compliance with Heathrow Airport's strict construction protocols at every stage. The pump station upgrade required particular care, as 50% of the pumping capacity needed to remain operational at all times while the other half was taken offline for refurbishment - maintaining an uninterrupted water supply to the terminal throughout the works.
The existing in-situ cast reinforced concrete structure presented significant routing challenges for the new sprinkler pipework. Finding viable pipework routes through the dense concrete structure required detailed survey work and close coordination with the airport's engineering team to identify pathways that would not compromise the building's structural integrity.
