
The Dublin Airport Authority commissioned a design team to create a new check in facility within the basement of the main terminal building in Dublin Airport. The design brief for the team was to create a pleasant and appealing environment within the basement area of Dublin Airport. This was to achieved without causing disruption to the ongoing operations of the Airport. AtkinsRéalis were responsible for new public transport, new baggage handling system and Mechanical & Electrical services.
Public Transport
The scheme required five new escalators, two of which were taking the public to the basement from the arrivals hall were the longest installed with Ireland at this time. Three more escalators were provided within a newly formed core to take passengers from the basement to the departure area on level 2.
Baggage Handling System
Within the check in area, 22 No. new check-in desks were provided with a maintenance gantry at high level. A completely new baggage handling system was installed within the existing baggage handling hall. However due to space constraints the handling system was constructed on a new Mezzanine level which was suspended from the ceiling. The SCADA system for the installation is monitored and controlled from AtkinsRéalis head quarters in Epsom.
Mechanical & Electrical Services
The ventilation system serving the main hall is adequate to cater for 1,000 passengers at any one time with the Air Handling unit located at roof level and it includes heat recovery to increase the efficiency of the system. Because there was no services riser available to run ductwork it was necessary to reduce the size of the ductwork and significantly increase the velocity. However when the ducting reached the hall new attenuators were provided to attenuate break out noise. All items of plant, AHU’s, pumps, etc are monitored and controlled via the site wide Building Management System. The complete installation is covered by sprinklers while the five escalators have internal fire suppression systems.
Electrical Services
The Baggage handling system is served by 2 No. 400 amp rated supplies providing full back up in the event that one of the supplies fails. Lighting within the main hall is achieved by a mixture of dimmable fluorescent luminaires mounted within ceiling discs with metal halide spotlighting to provide wall washing. The 4.5 metre discs incorporate LED lighting with the facility to change colour as required. The emergency lighting system is fully addressable. All fluorescent luminaries are complete with high frequency control gear and illumination levels are in accordance with the relevant CIBSE guides.