IWM - Hangar 4
Client: IWM
Location: Hangar 4
Value: £120,000K Approx
IWM- Hangar 4
The Challenge
The refurbishment of Hangar 4 North at IWM Duxford presented several operational and technical challenges. The works involved repairing and redecorating historic timber roof trusses and installing a new resin flooring system within a large aviation hangar environment, requiring careful planning and specialist access arrangements.
A key challenge was undertaking the works within a live museum site. While Hangar 4 North was closed for refurbishment, the adjacent South Hangar remained open to the public and continued to house valuable aircraft and exhibition items. This required strict control of dust, noise and site operations to ensure the safety of visitors, staff and collection assets.
The height and scale of the hangar structure also required safe working at height and the use of suitable access equipment to carry out inspections, timber repairs and redecorating works to the roof trusses. In addition, repairs to the existing timber members required careful assessment and precise intervention to strengthen the structure while preserving the original fabric of the building.
Working within a historically significant aviation site, while maintaining safety, protecting surrounding exhibits and delivering high-quality refurbishment works, required a carefully managed and coordinated approach throughout the project.
Our Solution
ECMS delivered a carefully planned refurbishment programme to safely carry out the works within the operational museum environment. Timber roof trusses were inspected, repaired and strengthened using targeted timber and resin repairs, before being prepared and redecorated with a protective coating system.
The existing concrete floor was mechanically prepared to remove previous coatings and defects, allowing a new resin flooring system to be installed. All works were carried out using controlled methods and appropriate access equipment to ensure safety, quality and minimal disruption to the surrounding museum operations.
The Results
- Timber roof trusses successfully repaired and strengthened
- Durable protective coating applied to roof structure
- New hard-wearing resin floor installed
- Works completed safely within a live museum environment
- Improved condition and longevity of the hangar interior
Health & Safety Considerations
All works were carried out in strict accordance with current Health & Safety regulations, with detailed risk assessments and method statements in place, ensuring safe access to high-level areas, protection of operatives, building users, and aircraft within the hangar, alongside careful consideration of the heritage building and its original features throughout.
