Studor provides a solution for O2 Arena

A new drainage solution was required when risks from SARS and other airborne viruses was of local council concerns at the O2 arena.

When the option to use open stacks within the tented area of the O2 in London was dismissed by Greenwich Council, Studor provided a solution, working with ME Engineers and a team at Hericot-Watt University.

Studor Air Admittance Valves were incorporated with Positive Air Pressure Attenuator units in the System solution. The PAPA dissipates pressure waves and stops them bouncing around the plumbing system.

Steve White, Studor expert commented that the data Studor produced included flow calculations, flow rates and pipe sizing to deal with air and transient pressures.

It was determined by the university tea, that any gas build-up would follow the water flow and therefore all urinals were places on a twelve-hour flush cycle to alleviate the potential of any gas build-up.

Consequently, Steve explained that this was the world’s first sealed drainage system, with no requirement for vents, minimising the environmental impact and keeping costs low with minimal materials and labour.

While inside the O2 the full drainage and ventilation system is sealed, the outside pump stations are on pillars with open vents that are spaced 300 metres apart to dispense any odours are generated within the complex.