Air Services – Coolangatta Airport Radar Upgrade
Ryan Wilks has recently completed a major project to upgrade the air conditioning systems at seven strategic radar sites at airports located around Australia, including Adelaide, Cairns, Coolangatta, Melbourne, Stradbroke Island, Perth and Sydney, value $1.5 mil.
The Mount Somerville radar site is located in the hills overlooking the airport and plays a critical role in the provision of air safety and traffic control along the east coast and operate 24/7 365 days a year.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
The works involved the replacement of the existing equipment room air conditioning units and new stainless steel mechanical services switchboard. In addition the existing screen security gates and side panels were modified to suit the new larger units
Due to the critical operations of each site prior to commencing of any works Ryan Wilks had to set up dual temporary air conditioning system to provide duty and stand-by temporary cooling. The temporary air conditioning had to be run and tested, then the back up system run and tested and all signed off prior to commencement of the replacement works.
The temporary air conditioning was provided by 2 off 30 kw package units which Ryan Wilks set up on a trailer, complete with control panel , temporary cabling & flexible ductwork which allowed us to arrive on site, set up and start running the units in test mode on Day 1 on site. This trailer was then transported by rail and road around Australia to each of the sites. The trailer travelled a staggering 13500 kilometres during this project.
The works involved a high level of co-ordination and planning with our client who based in Melbourne and with the on site facility managers in Coolangatta. Our works were just one step in the overall co-ordinated upgrade of the facility, our completion being critical to the start of the next stage of works on site.
The site was located about 35 minutes drive from the airport and was located at the top of the mountain, within a farmers paddock. Access was hampered by a steep gravel driveway , a series of farmers gates and wandering livestock. Once at the site the views were spectacular north to the Gold Coast and south as far as Byron Bay.
We are please to say that the works were completed on each site on time, and more importantly our client is extremely happy with installations and commented on the professionalism of Ryan Wilks
This project enabled Ryan Wilks to showcase our ability to provide “Ryan Wilks Quality and Service” nationally and is accredit to all involved.