Floor joint sealing solutions for Heathrow T5

Specialist mechanical expansion jointing systems from Tremco illbruck developed for Heathrow T5.

Specialist mechanical expansion jointing systems from Tremco illbruck have been developed for use in floor areas installed in the new Heathrow Airport T5 development.

In a building the size of Heathrow T5A, structural and thermal movement is a primary consideration.

To meet the large joint movement capability required, and also to accommodate a high specification finish as well as passive fire resistance, a customised expansion jointing system has been developed using Compriband Interspan profiles.

As part of the challenging installation process undertaken by flooring contractor Vetter, building temperatures were taken each day to assess the impact on the install width of the floor joints and the necessary adjustments made to the profile being installed.

For example, as the result of a mini heatwave, on one occasion the floor structure had moved 10mm from the original installed joint width.

To meet all of these demands, the new jointing system utilises a heavy duty all metal Interspan profile which is combined with a waterproof membrane and specialist Jointspan FR fire and smoke sealing materials to effectively seal the structural movement joints incorporated in the floor sections.

The special movement jointing system used at Heathrow comprises extruded aluminium profile sections in an interlocking and self-adjusting design that accommodates the greatest possible degree of movement caused by expansion and contraction.

A special feature of this system allows the removal of the top surface plate for cleaning purposes without disturbing the integrity of the joint.

By incorporating the special Jointspan FR ceramic fibre and aluminium foil blanket material within in the structural joint below the surface, a highly effective passive fire and cold smoke sealing system is provided with up to 2 hours of fire protection.

The main Heathrow T5 Concourse A building will be 396m long, 176m wide and 40m high.

It will contain 80,000t of structural steel and include 175 lifts, 131 escalators and 18km of conveyor belts for baggage handling.

Compriband expansion jointing systems have been specified by architects for over 35 years and used in commercial buildings of all types including shopping centres, exhibition halls, rail and airport terminals, factories and warehouses.

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