Around 26 million air passengers took off and landed here in 2019: The KKIA in Riyadh is Saudi Arabia’s second largest airport in terms of passenger numbers. The airport was completed in 1983. Its unusual features include its area of 375 square kilometres, of which only approximately a quarter is currently being used, as well as its control tower, which at a height of 81 metres is among the tallest in the world. The renovation work is being carried out across various phases so as not to disrupt operations. The target of the project is to expand the passenger capacity of KKIA, including a new 5th terminal, and to improve services. fischer product solutions are being used in Terminals 3 and 4, each of which comprise seven storeys. 

Safety when it burns
“We are pleased that our fischer FireStop solutions are being installed in the KKIA as a crucial safety measure”, says Constantin Wiegert, Head of facade and fire protection systems at fischer. “After the construction of the new Istanbul Airport, the renovation and extension of the KKIA is the next major airport project in a short time for which we realize the passive fire protection. The reasons are that we offer the right products and services from a single source, cooperate successfully with our trade partners and bundle our central know-how with the competencies of our local subsidiaries, which enable further proximity to customers and markets”. All MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) application openings and construction joints at KKIA were securely sealed using fischer FireStop products. Products used also included the fischer FiAM fireproof bulkheads made of fire-resistant mortar which forms a highly isolating barrier when exposed to fire, sealing rooms for up to five hours. The Universal FireStopping Sealant UFS 310 was also used on the project. The product expands its original volume in case of fire before curing to an elastic and flexible fire seal, providing up to four hours of fire resistance. The fischer FAZ II, EA II and FZEA II steel anchors were used for multiple fixings applications in concrete. 

And the fully hot-dip galvanised fischer massive heavy-duty system with all its accompanying accessories was also used to install and support all large pipes in the mechanical rooms. This installation system replaces the need for a complex steel construction, which necessitates in-house planning and prefabrication and often leads to construction tolerances on site. Thus, the FMS enables less construction and assembly time and lower costs for installations of heavy pipelines and cable trays. The heavy pipe installations are supported by the fischer heavy-duty system FMS. Compared to a conventional steel construction, the FMS system offers decisive advantages in terms of installation. The hot dip galvanized profiles are cut to size on site and screwed together permanently and securely with brackets. This eliminates the time-consuming welding of steel structures and the application of corrosion protection on site, and the assembly time is considerably reduced - resulting in lower costs. 

Product and service solutions from a single source
“We convinced the client with our ability to supply suitable high-quality product solutions for all project requirement starting with providing wide range of fixing systems applicable with all type of building materials, installation systems for all MEP applications as well as outstanding solutions of fire protection, all to be come from a single source served with premium service”, says Mr. Osama Farhat, The Area Sales Manager in Saudi Arabia - Central Region of the fischer subsidiary of United Arabic Emirates. The comprehensive technical support during the planning and implementation of passive fire protection was in particularly high demand. Mr. Farhat elaborates: “We provided our clients with full evaluations and approvals according to international standards along with the FireStop solutions which guarantee maximum safety and the best performance. We also supported the contractors by providing several training sessions and certifications free of charge. As such, we will continue to support the renovation project with our wide range of services until its successful completion.”