Vancouver Airport W4 deicing pad project

A unique and intricate fluid drainage system

20,000 m² of new PCC and
4,400 m² of new HMAC pavement

Accommodating one Code F
(Group VI) or two Code C (Group III) aircraft simultaneously

Challenges

A deicing pad was needed to service both Code F and Code C aircraft.
A drainage system was needed to isolate and control the fluid discharge.
Complete preliminary design, detailed design, and construction had to be completed in one year in time for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.

Completed the detailed design, prepared tender packages, and undertook full-time construction services.
Designed and constructed a deicing pad to facilitate parking, servicing, deicing, and anti-icing during the aircraft holdover time.
Designed and installed hot mix asphaltic concrete (HMAC) and Portland cement concrete (PCC) pavement for Code E aircraft traffic.
Connected a unique fluid-drainage system to the airport's West Lagoon.

The deicing pad was designed to allow either one Code F aircraft to deice alone, or two Code C aircraft to deice simultaneously.
Because aircraft deicing and anti-icing fluids can potentially kill fish, create algae blooms, and contaminate surface or ground waters, the project controlled the fluid discharge during deicing operations by designing an intricate drainage system.
The drainage system now isolates the deicing and anti-icing fluids via valve chambers and pump stations before sending the fluids to the airport’s West Lagoon for treatment.