Heathrow T4 Roof Light Renovation Project

Sector context

Terminal 4 is a live, security-controlled international terminal, so any work overhead has to protect the travelling public and keep the building running. Palmers is one of only a handful of contractors pre-qualified for work like this at major airports, backed by a dedicated airports division and an in-house design department.

The challenge

Balfour Beatty needed to replace the roof-light glazing while protecting the public below and keeping the terminal running.

• More than 500 tonnes of equipment had to be craned on and off the roof from very tight, limited craning locations.
• All works ran at night, under a strict permit system, on a live airport with tight security.
• Glazing replacement had to carry on unaffected by weather, with the public protected inside Terminal 4 at all times.

The Palmers solution

Palmers developed and designed a bespoke in-house scaffold structure to meet Balfour Beatty's requirements, providing both access and full weather protection so the glazing works could go ahead in any conditions.

• The structure carried integrated lifting solutions and an intricate mobile temporary roof with internal gondolas.
• Early engagement produced a special-access solution that cut reliance on traditional scaffolding and kept people off height wherever possible.
• Delivery came from Palmers' specialist airports division and in-house design team.