ADELAIDE'S $240 million airport terminal breaks new ground with its flexible configuration.

The 750m long and 110m wide building houses an International and two Domestic terminals. But when the centrally- located International is not in use, it can be re-configured for Domestic flights. Swing gates have been devised for Customs, Immigration and Duty- Free facilities to be isolated.

“It’s a true multi-use terminal, providing much better use of resources,” said Peter Harrland, Project Engineer for Bestec, consulting engineers, working in association with builders Hansen Yuncken and major contractors Frigrite Air Conditioning.

Fantech fans provide multiple services including smoke spill of 312,000 L/s exhaust from the building and general exhaust of 50,000 L/s exhaust from baggage handling, carparks and amenities. “Everyone has been focused and we have had good support from suppliers and contractors,” Peter said. “Fantech’s Fan Selection Program saved us time and kept the design going at a quick pace.”

Grant Oates, Project Manager for Frigrite said it is “the biggest contract we’ve ever worked on.”

“The important point was organising the logistics for such a big job, to ensure that when things were meant to be there, they were there,” Grant said. Grant said there was no major changes, “rather, lots of little changes,” such as having fans re-pitched. Another approach was dual use of economy cycle fans, doubling up as smoke spill fans. “These added an extra layer of protection to the sprinklers,” Grant said.

The two-level terminal can service 3,000 passengers per hour and 27 aircraft simultaneously, with first planes scheduled to fly out on October 15.