Client: Dematic
Type of works: installation of a series of custom-designed, fire-rated enclosures.

Troax UK Limited has installed a series of custom-designed, fire-rated enclosures to protect the baggage handling system at Cork Airport’s new state-of-the-art terminal building.  The enclosures surround the baggage conveyors to ensure the highest safety standards and prevent damage in the event of a fire.

The large baggage retrieval system at the 28,300 sq ft terminal facility, which can cater for three million passengers a year, is designed to reduce time spent by passengers queuing to retrieve their baggage. 

Troax used its Elan (formerly Excalibur), double skin, modular steel partitioning to construct the enclosures, to surround three incoming and two outgoing baggage belts. Each belt ascends from a baggage handling area up to the new collection carousels, which have six times the capacity of those in the old terminal.

The enclosures are fire-rated to 60mins and extend to around 8.5m in length and 2m in height, enclosing each conveyor completely to prevent any fire which might start in the basement from reaching the public area where the collection carousels are located.  Strip curtains have been fitted at either end of the enclosures. 

Fire-rated Excalibur panels are specifically designed to meet the fire resistance integrity criteria specified in BS 476-22:1987 for a period of 60mins.  They are of monobloc construction comprising two steel skins separated by an inert mineral-wool insulating infill.

As well as providing a high level of fire protection, another advantage of Excalibur is its smart appearance.  The panels are flush both sides and have a high quality, powder-coated finish so they are also attractive and extremely hardwearing.

The project was carried out through Dematic, who supplied the baggage handling system as well as screening equipment, check-in desks, conveyors and other associated equipment at the new terminal.

Comments Vincent Oberman at Dematic:  “Troax provided a high level of service throughout the project.  Their Excalibur system is very good quality and met all our requirements.”