West Midland based Fastlane Ventilation, the supplier of air handling equipment, heating and heat recovery systems, was part of the team looking after the media at the London Olympics, 2012. A Fastlane air handling unit (AHU) provided the supply ventilation specifically for the kitchens – part of the 12,000m2 catering village serving 50,000 meals per day to the broadcasters, photographers and journalists that brought the Games to a worldwide audience.
The 24-hour media hub, the International Broadcast Centre/Main Press Centre (IBC/MPC), was one of seven permanent venues located within the Olympic Park. It housed the very latest IT facilities, along with a 200m-long ‘High Street’ with banks, newsagents, travel agents and a post office, as well as a transport mall providing a drop-off facility and car parking. The buildings are now performing the same function during the Paralympic Games taking place from 29 August to 9 September.
In a concerted effort to make the best use of space within the Olympic Park, it was the first time press and broadcasters were based in the same area. The 4,500 tonne steel structure of the IBC included around 52,000m2 of studio space over two double-storey floors with a temporary gantry running along the 275m long, 104m wide building for technical equipment, with 8,000m2 of offices over five floors. The MPC included state-of-the-art utilities, power and digital connectivity and 29,000m2 of green office space by the River Lee Navigation, providing four storeys of workspace for journalists and photographers during the Olympic Games.
Blake Mansell, Fastlane’s General Manager, commented; “We are delighted to be involved on such a prestigious project. Deadlines don’t get much bigger than the opening of the Olympic Games so, like other suppliers to the Olympic Park, our ability to respond quickly was vital.”
The main contractor for the International Broadcast Centre and the Main Press Centre was H&J Martin, one of a select group of contractors to secure work within the Olympic Park. Keith Mason was H&J Martin’s Building Services Manager for the project, working closely with colleague Gordon Smith as Building Services Engineer. Keith comments – “H&J Martin has worked for many prestigious names and on landmark buildings in a history spanning more than 170 years but there is definitely something special in being involved in the Olympics.”
The air-handling unit was supplied to national ductwork contractor, Boyd & Co (Metal Workers) Ltd via distributor Angus-Air. Angus-Air have been supplying Fastlane air handling equipment for over ten years, winning numerous orders for Fastlane AHUs because of the company’s ability to manufacture and deliver quicker than many other manufacturers.
After the Paralympic Games, the Olympic Park will be turned into an urban park. The water and canals will be cleaned and widened to provide plenty of room for wildlife and footpaths and cycle lanes will be added. The IBC/MPC buildings are intended for future conversion into business facilities for the local community.
