Hatfield Station Footbridge is a 44 meter Network Rail footbridge spanning several tracks in Hatfield, Hertfordshire.
The existing protective coating has failed over a large percentage of the structure, with localised areas of corrosion clearly visible. Due to the sensitive environment the footbridge is located in, abrasive blasting cleaning and ongoing mechanical surface preparation were considered a non-feasible means of preparation prior to the application of a new protective coating system. In this instance RPR heat induction was considered the preferred means of coating removal alongside the reduced need for mechanical preparation required to achieved the specified surface preparation standard.
The existing protective coating has failed over a large percentage of the structure, with localised areas of corrosion clearly visible. Due to the sensitive environment the footbridge is located in, abrasive blasting cleaning and ongoing mechanical surface preparation were considered a non-feasible means of preparation prior to the application of a new protective coating system. In this instance RPR heat induction was considered the preferred means of coating removal alongside the reduced need for mechanical preparation required to achieved the specified surface preparation standard.
 |
The existing protective coating has failed over a large percentage of the structure, with localised areas of corrosion clearly visible. The section of the structure that spans the rail track will be completed under possession. The remaining span and internal elements of the structure will be completed during traffic hours. |
 |
Due to the sensitive environment the footbridge is located in, abrasive blasting cleaning and ongoing mechanical surface preparation were considered a non-feasible means of preparation prior to the application of a new protective coating system. In this instance heat induction was considered the preferred means of coating removal. |
 |
The RPR method uses heat induction to delaminate bonded coating systems from the steel substrate. The RPR process is a non fatigue, silent and productive method of coating removal that can remove existing coatings at thicknesses up to 15mm. |
 |
Due to the location of Hatfield footbridge and the potential interface with the public when refurbishing this type of structure, RPR heat induction was deemed the safest and most effective means of removing the lead based coating system from the structure. |
 |
After an initial inspection by the coating manufacturer to determine that the surface preparation standard had been achieved, a zinc rich primer was applied to all elements of the structure. The coating system was chosen due to the reduced overcoating times and ability to be applied outside of the normal ambient parameters. |
 |
All elements of the structure that spanned the rail track were completed under possession. Our project team were able to work under isolation for a single twenty four hour window. Running two twelve hour shifts utilising six ICATS operatives, the rail span was completed over five separate possessions. |
 |
Hatfield Station footbridge was completed in December 2016. SPG worked in conjunction with Construction Marine to complete this refurbishment. Over four thousand man hours went into completing this structure in a difficult period of weather and a complex and critical programme. |
