Terminal velocity

Working within the constraints of an operational airport poses specific challenges for a construction company and its subcontractors. Add to that the need to comply with green building standards and a tight deadline, and the job becomes even more challenging.

The team at Hawkins Construction had one distinct advantage, however. Having had a staff presence at Auckland Airport for more than 20 years, the company was well equipped to deal with the safety and security requirements, says construction manager Gil Davies.

"We are also familiar with the processes involved in design and construction in this environment. For example, in this project we faced a six-week delay due to design changes. But these are a fact of life at an airport any new buildings need to meet changing aircraft designs and procedures. For this project, we brought in more resources to ensure the work would still be completed on time and to budget."

Davies says there are always extra safety and security processes to take into account when working within the airport environment.

"For example, the work often crossed the boundary between airside and landside sometimes it was simply a wire that needed to run from one side to the other. But every movement across this boundary required passage through a checkpoint. Security checks were handled by both the airport company and authorised Hawkins staff."

Davies says other specific airport requirements included the need for registered vehicles for airside operation, airside drivers' licences for staff, and hot work permits that needed to be signed off after every procedure involving heated elements. The company worked closely with airport maintenance staff to ensure construction workers avoided existing pipelines and other services.

For this project, there was also the need to meet the sustainable design requirements.

"Controlling all the waste streams from the construction to maximise recycling and minimise waste going to landfill was a completely new process for the various construction teams," says Davies. "It required buy-in' on the part of all the contractors on site. We had recycling bins for steel, Gib board, plastics, cardboard, paper and timber off-cuts. By positioning these close to where the work was being carried out we had very good compliance."

For more details, contact Hawkins Construction, Private Bag 93-214, Parnell, phone (09) 918 8100. Website: www.hawkins.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas