Delta Obstruction Lighting installs aircraft warning lighting systems in the Middle East

(30/09/2009)

The Oldham based LED specialist Delta Obstruction Lighting (DOL) is experiencing a period of sustained international growth driven by expansion in the Middle East.

The company recently signed off an aircraft warning light system on the Gold Crest Tower in Dubai’s prestigious Jumeirah Lakes district. This followed the completion of work at the Arabian United Float Glass Company Factory, Saudi Arabia in March and at the Dubai Arch Tower (also at Jumeirah Lakes) in May. With satisfied contractors at all three sites and more projects in the pipeline DOL is confident of expanding its Middle East portfolio further.

“We’re delighted to have signed off three major projects since February,” said DOL Managing Director, Tariq Mukhtar. “There were unavoidable delays on each project but we showed great professionalism in delivering our services on time and to budget. We’re aware that this has been noted by contractors in the region as the number of invitations to tender we are receiving has increased significantly.”

DOL’s Arabian year began at Saudi Arabia’s Arabian United Float Glass Company Factory. Situated in the booming coastal city of Yanbu, the factory is now at full production processing 600 tonnes a day of the highest quality float glass to both domestic Saudi Arabian and Export markets. However, in accordance with Saudi Arabian aviation legislations, the plant’s monster 150m chimney needed to be illuminated to above and beyond international civil aviation regulations.

DOL were invited to tender for a contract to design and manufacture an external aircraft warning lighting system and an internal emergency lighting system for all platforms and walkways.

DOL proposed a system equipping the tower with 9 Delta designed medium intensity LED Lights (less than 50 watts of power, last for up to 10 years, save light wastage with a tight beam, and can be either flashed or steady burned) on three levels going up the tower and an extensive internal lighting system with emergency power supply.

DOL were awarded the contract and the lights were delivered in October 2008. Three months later a team from sister company, Delta International Steeplejacks (DSJ) gained access to begin installation.

“We have a wealth of experience installing external aircraft warning lighting and internal emergency lighting but very rarely are we asked to provide both in one job,” said Tariq. “The undoubted success of the Arabian United Job gives us confidence to secure further contracts of this nature in the Middle East and throughout the rest of the world.”

The Yanbu job was subsequently signed off in the March, at which point attention switched to the slightly more glamorous location of Dubai’s Jumeirah Lakes, where a team of DOL steeplejacks team were ready to begin work. Their job – to install an aircraft warning system on the impressive residential development, the 5-star standard Dubai Arch Tower.

Chief contractors, Al Ahmedia awarded DOL the contract to design and manufacture an aircraft warning system for the tower in June 2006 but unforeseen delays in construction meant DOL were not able to gain access until late March 2009.

When they were able, DOL’s brief was to install one single DOL designed red Medium Intensity Aviation Obstruction Light at the pinnacle of its distinctive arch, 153 metres above the ground. The job progressed without snag and Tariq’s brother DOL Operations Manager, Asif Mukhtar was able to sign the job off at the end of May.

“Despite the presence of just one light the Dubai Arch Tower was a tricky job,” said Asif. “Access was not easy as it involved a lot of scaffolding to get up there. Offering greater longevity than our competitors, our products are designed to account for access issues. The medium intensity light lasts 100,000 hours.”

After completing the Dubai Arch Tower it was only a short trip across town for DOL’s most recent Middle East job. “We could actually see the Gold Crest Tower from the Dubai Arch Tower,” said Asif. “It was a more complex job than the Dubai Arch but it’s always good to know the area in advance and size up the job in hand.”

DOL were first asked by the luxurious Gold Crest’s chief contractor to tender for the tower’s aircraft warning light system in September 2006. It proposed to illuminate the 172m Gold Crest Tower with 2 Delta Designed medium intensity WL6000s (an omni-directional LED, omitting horizontal, red light with over 50,000 burning hours) at the top of the tower and 8 Delta Designed WL1000s (a low intensity, high powered, surface mounted LED, with over 100,000 burning hours) at four levels going down.

This proposal was approved in December 2006 and the lights were designed and supplied in June 2008 but delays including difficulty obtaining a certificate from Dubai’s Civil Aviation Authority put the installation date back to the end of July this year. After gaining access a team of operatives worked with an unrivalled efficiency and thoroughness, enabling Asif to sign the job off last week with time to spare.

“The sheer scale and specification of some of the construction projects in the Middle East is mind boggling,” said Asif. “Our aircraft warning systems are the final piece in the jigsaw for these structures marking the culmination of years of hard work and creativity by architects and contractors. It’s an absolute pleasure to be providing such a service.”

Tariq added: “Our success in the Middle East is testament to the hard work of our employees from design through to installation and a good example of how our reputation is spreading across the globe. We aim to secure more and more contracts in this very exciting arena as the need for our services increases with every new building that rises.”

Related categories:  Industrial   Lamps   Lighting system