Design and development
Technical and consulting services for buildings, infrastructure and cities including architecture, engineering, surveying, landscape architecture and urban design.
Airfield Data Network, Gatwick Airport
We provided Design services for the installation of the Airfield Data Network upgrade for Gatwick Airport, including the design for the replacement of the Instrument Runway Visual Range (IRVR).
Key details
Project name
Airfield Data Network, Gatwick Airport
Client
Gatwick Airport
Location
Gatwick Airport
Services provided:
- Airfield Services
- Electrical Engineering
Challenge
The current Airfield Data Network consists of copper data cables running across the airfield connecting the various Air Traffic Management System equipment. Without the ADN the airport could not operate aircraft landing and departing, and it is a potential business risk. To improve resilience, the airport required the replacement of the copper cable with a more robust fibre network and upgrading of the data equipment.
Our design involved the installation of new cabinet bases, power supply, associated civil engineering works and the replacement of the existing copper ADN cable with two new fibre optic systems.
Our design responsibility included a survey specification to obtain the correct site information, a survey report, and to undertake the detail design. The design had to ensure the new equipment did not affect the operation of the airport through the installation process and when in operation mode. Therefore, buildability and airport safeguarding were key issues that needed to be addressed.
Solution
Our phased approach ensured the data collection and detail design met with the programme. The initial phase involved gathering the necessary data through stakeholder meetings or surveys on the airfield. Through stakeholder management we were able to assess proposed base locations, existing infrastructure and substations. The surveys enabled us to gather and review utility, geotechnical and topographical information that could support the following two design stages.
The design stages included safeguarding checks to ensure the position of the new equipment did not interfere with the operation of the runway. Our design team worked collaboratively with the airport project team and stakeholders to provide a compliant design, including details of equipment locations and foundations, electrical power, lightening protection, flood risk mitigation and surface water.
To ensure the equipment could be installed safely while maintaining an operational system, we collaborated with UK Power Networks Services (UKPNS) to ensure power from their network could be utilised for some of the airport substations.
