Vacon clinches Heathrow Terminal 5 contract

Vacon has won the prestigious contract to supply the HVAC drives for Heathrow`s Terminal 5 complex, which is due to open in the Spring of 2008. The terminal - one of Europe`s largest construction projects - will be able to handle about 30 million passengers a year.

Vacon will supply drives in the power range 0.75-400kW to control pumps and fans in the new terminal`s heating, ventilation and air-conditioning plant. Under an agreement with the British Airports Authority (BAA), Vacon is not allowed to disclose details of the contract, such as its value or the number of drives involved.

Vacon is working on the project with its UK HVAC partner, Trend Control Systems. It has already started to supply the first drives and will continue to do so until 2008. The drives will incorporate direct Ethernet connections to the terminal`s building management system, to allow close control and monitoring of the HVAC plant.

Terminal 5 (shown above in an artist`s impression) will include a core terminal and two satellites, 41 aircraft stands, 13km of tunnels (including train and Underground extensions), a new control tower, a people-mover, and car parking and hotel facilities. It will accept the most advanced passenger aircraft, including some not yet in service, such as the A380 Airbus. The 260 ha site represents just under a quarter of Heathrow`s current area.

The project is being funded by BAA, which is also one of the principal contractors, along with Amec and Laing O`Rourke. Amec will also have overall responsibility for the building services. The project`s sub-contractors include London-based DSSR (for mechanical and electrical services design and engineering) and Novar Projects (for design and installation of building management systems).