Radiant heating is the plane solution in aircraft hangar at Prestwick

A continuous radiant-tube heating system positioned at high level in the 22 m roof of Ryanair’s new hangar at Prestwick airport ensures night-shift workers are kept warm despite open doorways and cold winds. An underfloor heating system was originally specified, but rejected because of the discomfort working on a warm floor can cause to employees. Instead Ryanair requested a Nor-Ray-Vac radiant system from Ambi-Rad. The hangar is used for the maintenance of Ryanair’s fleet of 737-800 aircraft. The planes are brought into the building at night for repairs and servicing, before flying off the following day to international destinations. Since all work is carried out overnight, and large doorways remain open for long periods, the temperature in the hangar can fall dramatically, particularly in winter. Although built as single space, the hangar operates in two bays. Closest to the doorway, the roof height is 22 m to accommodate the aircraft tail fins. Further inside, where the body section of the planes sit, the roof height is just 11 m. In the higher area, six burners were installed in two zones. Above the aircraft body itself, 16 burners zoned into eight separately controlled sections were fitted. The installation was carried out by Haden Young for consultant Donald Smith, Seymour & Rooley of Glasgow.

Related links:

• www.ambirad.co.uk