Gatic Slotdrain from Alumasc Water Management Solutions (AWMS), has been successfully installed at Farnborough Airport’s new innovative hangar facility. The sustainable £55million development adds 175,000 square feet to the existing site, further supporting Farnborough Airport as the business gateway to Europe and beyond, and the UK’s largest business aviation hub.
Farnborough is the latest addition to Gatic’s long and successful track record in the aviation sector, which also includes installations at Manchester and Gatwick. The hangar, named Domus III, was designed by architect Gebler Tooth and delivered by main contractor McLaughlin and Harvey. It incorporates numerous sustainable features such as intelligent lighting, eco-friendly heating and translucent automated doors to maximise natural light and minimise energy usage. Sustainability is key to Farnborough; in 2018 it became the first business aviation airport to attain carbon-neutral status, and five years later was the UK’s first business aviation airport to achieve the highest level of carbon accreditation: Level 4+.
In accordance with the sustainable requirements of the project, water management on site was carefully considered. Installing contractor, Gill Civil Engineering Ltd, has a well-established working relationship with Gatic, having successfully installed Gatic products on a number of major port and airport projects. They specified Gatic UltraSlot from the Slotdrain range, for the new runway slabs and taxiways.
UltraSlot is designed for use in external concrete areas subject to F900 loading, by ensuring sufficient depth of concrete over the main body of the system to withstand ultra heavy-duty loads. However, the Farnborough project presented a number of depth restraints which required a bespoke solution. The Gatic technical team developed a new patented design, enabling the efficient and more environmentally friendly installation of a ‘hanging system’ known as Slotdrain-e. This comprises a system of brackets running along the channel, to accommodate a change in the design of the usual reinforcement mesh cage. The new design allows a reduction of mesh which not only accommodated the restrictions posed by the project, but also saved excavation time and labour costs on site. In addition, the new design can be used with all sizes of Slotdrain, allowing for further cost-efficiency across multiple applications. When maximising on the system’s economic use of time and materials, Slotdrain-e will provide users with an average cost saving of 25% per installation.
Vikram Trehan of Gill Civil was the site manager. He comments:
“Having worked with Gatic on previous projects, I was aware that Slotdrain offered the robust drainage solution required at Domus III, but that the challenges on site would require some bespoke modification to the product.
“The new system developed by Gatic’s technical team not only resulted in those challenges being addressed successfully, but it also reduced product installation time and labour hours, which is always a hugely positive outcome on high profile projects such as Farnborough.”
Gill Civil’s director, Raj Turna, adds:
“The labour savings presented by the efficient Slotdrain-e installation have impacted favourably on project costs. The overall success of the Domus III installation is testament to the teamwork that was apparent throughout the project; with client, contractors and Gatic all working together to bring this important new facility to fruition, within realistic budgets and deadlines.”
Zach Graham from Gatic concludes:
“It was a joy to work with Gill Civil and McLaughlin & Harvey on the Farnborough project. At Gatic we pride ourselves on providing a high-quality product, and the installations carried out by the contractors were of an exceptionally high standard.
“We had to ensure depth restraints were taken into account when producing bespoke access and outlet boxes for the Slotdrain system. We also provided our new Slotdrain-e for the reinforcement of the surrounding concrete which was welcomed by site management, as it made installation easier, faster and more cost effective.”
The Slotdrain range is manufactured from pre-galvanised sheet steel and will not break during transportation, storage, installation or operation, thus minimising costs for both the contractor and client.
UltraSlot units are available from 100 to 600mm wide; the largest unit having a storage capacity of 405 l/m. Slotdrain can also be supplied in stainless steel. The range offers these additional benefits:
- Quick installation times
- High capacity, strength and durability
- Maximum intake
- Impact resistance
- Reduced maintenance costs
- No moving parts
- Tamper-proof
The range can be installed in areas likely to experience extreme temperatures, and when installed in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations, should perform for the lifetime of the site.
A comprehensive range of grates and covers is available to suit every conceivable system design, supplied with locking bolts for additional safety and security.
A ‘treadsafe’ option is available for Ultraslot and Castslot, which makes the channels safe to cross when used in areas subject to high foot traffic.
Based on new detail presented by recent developments in Gatic technology, some projects may benefit from cost savings resulting from reduced use of concrete during installation.
AWMS: Leading the way in sustainable drainage
Gatic Civil Drainage & Access Covers sits under the AWMS umbrella, as one of five brands well known for innovation, quality and longevity. The four accompanying brands are: Alumasc Rainwater Gutters & Downpipes; Skyline Architectural Aluminium; Harmer Building Drainage; and Wade Building Drainage.
Our extensive product portfolio ensures the provision of Rain to Drain solutions that continue to set the standard for urban water management.
Alumasc Water Management Solutions is part of the Alumasc Group. The Group proudly holds the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark, which is awarded to companies generating 50% or more of their total annual revenues from products and services that contribute to the global green economy.
