In March 2014, the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) requested a quote and specifications from Blast-Ex for a portable, 30m-long jet-blast deflector fence.
Blast-Ex jet-blast deflector fences can deflect jet-blasts of up to 300m/s at an angle of up to 90° upwards. Dublin was looking at a maximum of 40m/s (Code C breakaway thrust) and we quickly decided, together with DAA, to choose our Type R fence with a maximum deflection of 50m/s.
As workers were constantly shifting to different parts of the airfield and fixing the tarmac and runways, this was exactly the solution DAA was looking for. When it comes to protecting these workers the rules and regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) are very strict.
It was important to design the concrete bases in a way so that they can be picked up and moved with a forklift easily and quickly. Our jet-blast fences can be bolted onto the base without using a rod. The threaded holes with a fixture solution assure fast dismantling and easy storage of fences and bases.
Having discussed and understood all our customers needs, we provided our offer to DAA for our mobile jet-blast deflector fence. The Irish authorities ran an in-depth check on us as a potential supplier, assuring that we meet their standards. As expected, we passed all checks, the supply contract was signed in April 2014 and the production began.
The jet-blast fences for Dublin were treated with a hot-dip galvanization process, guarding the fences effectively against corrosion. After production the fences were loaded with standard palettes compactly onto a small truck, and transported via road and ferry directly to Dublin Airport. Immediately after delivery, a team of Dublin Airport’s own personnel set up and implemented the Blast-Ex deflectors.
Without this jet-blast protection, the construction would have been on hold, but the quick and effective execution of the complete project assured the uninterrupted continuation of the process. This was very important for an airport which serves as the premier gateway for Ireland. More than 20 million passengers traveled via Dublin Airport in 2014. The main carriers operating from this busy airport include Aer Lingus, Ireland’s flag carrier, and Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost carrier.