Supply, Delivery, Installation & Testing of UPS and Aircraft Stand Signs at GBIACAO

Overview

Supply, delivery, installation, and testing of illuminated aircraft stand identification signs, online UPS systems with batteries, switchgears, and associated electrical accessories were carried out for the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal at Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIACAO), reference SF-79-2669. The work covered installation, system integration, testing, and commissioning across the domestic and international apron areas and the International Terminal Building, and was completed on 1 June 2024 after a duration of 11 months and 28 days.

Scope & Deliverables

• Supply, delivery, installation, and testing of 300 kVA and 150-160 kVA online UPS systems.
• Supply and installation of accessories for a 60 kVA UPS, including relocation and testing.
• High mast LED floodlights installed for the domestic and international apron areas.
• Illuminated Aircraft Stand Identification Signs (ASIS) installed at the international apron area.
• Copper power cables of various sizes, including 240 sq. mm power cables laid in the existing cable trench, plus related electrical accessories.
• Battery racks and SMF VRLA batteries transported from ground level to the basement, three floors below ground, in the International Terminal Building.
• Switchgear and associated electrical distribution equipment installed and commissioned.
• Commissioning services and training provided for airport personnel.

Outcome

The UPS units arrived on site partially damaged in transit, with faults in both electronics and mechanical parts; insurance claims for the damage were filed internally and with the insurance authority. Before energizing, UPS pre-system checks and pre-commissioning were carried out under OEM guidance. After site acceptance testing was completed, a fire occurred in a panel board installed by a separate contractor in the same room as the UPS and battery banks; a CO2 fire extinguisher used to put out the fire drew extinguishing particles into the operating UPS fans, causing a further UPS fault. The affected UPS was repaired at the contractor's own cost within a month and handed over to the client in operating condition. This third-party incident extended the project by approximately four to five months under force majeure. The installed systems now provide UPS-backed power continuity, illuminated aircraft stand identification, and upgraded switchgear and electrical distribution infrastructure at GBIACAO.