Terminal 5, Heathrow, London
Permenant Building Maintenance Unit (BMU)
Terminal 5, Heathrow is one of the most complex buildings in the world. Many different facades in different sections provided a real challenge for the designers to ensure that all surfaces could be safely accessed for maintenance and cleaning.
Alternative Access Logistics Ltd have designed, supplied and installed bespoke Building Maintenance Units for the project. The BMUs run on aluminium tracks parallel to the facade and can be parked out of sight on the roof tops.
The BMUs allowed full access to the various facades of the Lift Towers and lobby area above a delicate ETFE roof. By using the BMUs on a horizontal rail system secured to the roof access was also permitted to the Sky Bridge running between the main T5 terminal and the transport interchange buildings.
The BMU machines were also designed to permit the installation and replacement of complete glazing panels. A glass panel handling unit together with the glass or cladding panel, up to a total weight of 1000Kg, could be suspended from the main jib [arm] to facilitate the installation to the facade. This allowed installation of the panels during construction of the building and could also subsequently be used for maintenance purposes.
