BIA New International Pier

BIA New International Pier
Birmingham International Airport

As one of Laing O’Rourkes preferred demolition contractors, we were contracted to demolish the International Terminal at Birmingham Airport. The contract involved very close co-ordination with the Principal Contractor, our works were split into several phases, over a year. This allowed the airport to operate as normal while the Principal Contractor constructed the new terminal.

Phase 1

Involved separation cuts to two airbridges divorcing from the terminal and the careful removal and storage of the mechanical docking bridge, for re-use later on in the new construction.

Phase 2

Saw us working within the departure lounge removing an existing ramp within the retained building, while remaining operational. To reduce the impact on the passengers we worked a 24-7 double shifts, keeping the noisy works during the nights.

Phase 3

The main bulk of the demolition, was undertaken when Laing O’Rourke had built the new terminal only 3 metres from the old terminal. Our client and the airport were all delighted when the 8m high by 80m long steel frame was successfully removed without a any damage to the new structure.

The success of our previously completed worked resulted in us getting the variation to demolish the 18 metre high Air Traffic Control Tower, using our Ultra High Reach excavator. This too was completed without any disruption to the airport and the to amazement of the on looking holiday goers

The project was complicated by the fact all of the works were carried out Airside and therefore required all operatives to go through a rigorous and stringent security checks. All transport, plant, tools and equipment had to also go through the security checks before anything arrived at the work place. Our lorry drivers went through the Birmingham Airport airside driving training and test to allow us to maximise productivity and maintain the extremely tight programme.

There were many important restrictions imposed on our work, but the most important stipulation of working on and around the runway, was to prevent any Foreign Object Debris (FOD) from leaving our restricted site boundary. This made us look at alternative methodology and our working times, especially when we were working within 10m from aeroplanes.

Our client was delighted when we completed all our works on time, without any accidents, incidents and any disruption to the airport operations.