Woodward Group’s specialist hazardous area electrical engineers installed a complex gas monitoring system for the brand new Rolls-Royce facility in Derby. 

Testbed 80, the world’s largest and smartest indoor aerospace testbed, is the global hub of Rolls-Royce’s testing capability and is the home of large engine development for the company. Testbed 80 took almost three years and a £90m investment to construct and features the most advanced testing technology the business has ever used.

Woodward Group’s involvement was to install specialist gas monitoring equipment to prevent the presence of gas in the building and ensure a safe working environment.

Following a competitive tender process and pre-qualification assessment, our team of ATEX engineering experts installed sophisticated gas monitoring equipment and control panels, specialist cross-site cables for sensors and audible and strobe alarms, all with the utmost care and attention to ensure segregation of power and instrument cabling. The system was fully tested and certified with commissioning and ATPs delivered on completion.

In addition to the gas monitoring system, Woodward Group also installed electrical equipment within potentially explosive atmospheres containing aviation fuel and within the engine test cell where high volumes of air movement and water are present. Here we installed strong, anti-vibration fixings throughout.

The project was completed on time and under budget and as a result of the team’s workmanship, Woodward Group has been awarded a further electrical installation project of Testbed 103 at Rolls-Royce Bristol.