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22 December 2024

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Breaking out roof and extending lift shaft at Gatwick South Terminal

9 Oct We have been working at London Gatwick Airport to help the implementation of a new Passenger Search Area (PSA) to create a Next Generation Security Checkpoint (NGSC). This is to meet the UK Department for Transport directive for new passenger and baggage security screening requirements.

Breaking out roof and extending lift shaft at Gatwick South Terminal

The alterations will significantly improve passenger circulation as they make their way to the departure lounges following arrival at the airport. The roof replacement and services upgrades that we have completed, are designed to reduce energy usage and the associated carbon emissions, helping the airport on its journey towards net zero carbon by 2033, whilst improving the quality of the passenger experience.

What did we do?

We worked alongside Balfour Beatty towards the installation of the PSA’s in the South Terminal building. This involved demolishing the lift shaft lid and floor, removing the pond roof and forming a new opening for a staircase in the roof. We also removed an existing upstand wall.

We needed to ensure that the lift system was uninterrupted throughout the works and had to remove over 31 tonnes of reinforced concrete, using a Twinka electric powered high tip loader and lift hoist. To minimise disturbance to day to day operations of the airport some activities were completed during night shift periods.

The lift

We used our Husqvarna WS 482 track saw to form cuts around the lift shaft lid and floor. We then broke out the opening using our Husqvarna DXR95 demolition robot. Our robot is lovingly nick-named George (after one of the operatives 5 year old son, who thinks it’s the best machine ever made!). The demolition of the lift shaft lid included all roofing, cladding, steelwork and RC.

The roof

The existing pond roof was removed including all cladding, paving slabs, roofing materials, steelwork and reinforced concrete. We formed pockets in the roof for the new pond roof staircase. We removed the existing upstand with the Husqvarna CS10 wire saw.

The framework for the lift now stands in place with the pond roof completely opened up.


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