Spantech builds the first major explosive storage facility in New Zealand since WWII

Spantech designed and constructed five (5) Spantech 23m Earth Covered Buildings (ECB) or “igloos” and an Ammunition Preparation Building (APB) at the Waiouru Military Camp, the base where all New Zealand Army soldiers complete their initial basic training.

Background

In early 2005 the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) planned to acquire advanced weapons systems from the US.

At the time New Zealand had about 120 weapons storehouses that were built during World War II or earlier. Of these, almost half the storehouses were found to be "unserviceable." Several Defence Reports around the time identified issues including "…the poor condition of warehouse roofs, poor floors, leaky tunnels and the poor state of the perimeter security fence."

As no explosive storage facilities had been built in NZ since WWII, NZDF looked internationally for advice and support.

International Support

The US Defence Force recommended NZDF contact Spantech. The US US Army Corps of Engineers were part of the team that conducted the full scale blast trials on the Spantech buildings in the early 1990’s and were acutely aware of the safety and security offered by Spantech’s unique ECBs.

The NZDF approached Spantech to design and construct new ECB’s to meet NZDF’s operational requirements and the stringent storage and security requirements for weapons such as the army's United States-made Javelin anti-armour missiles.

In June 2005 the Army Security Assistance Command verified that the Spantech 23m ECB “meet the standards required in Army regulations”.

Key factors in NZ Defence’s decision to award the contract to Spantech included:

• the proven design of the Spantech 23m ECB

• excellent safety and security

• the extensive use of the building by other countries in the region

• Spantech’s proven track record of delivering major Defence infrastructure, and

• the efficiency and economy of a direct procurement contract with Spantech.

Spantech worked with Defence to develop a masterplan that included five ECB, an APB to maintain the EO and zones for future expansion.

A Defence Force spokesman said the igloo-style storage has the capacity to hold seven times more explosives than older stores.

“They also were much more secure and safer.”

The APB is also designed to NATO specifications. The design features extensive use of the Spantech Woomera 300 Straight panel. Spantech panels cover the main entrance and loading area with a single unsupported span of 8 metres and continue to cover the main roof. Spantech panels were also used for the external walls. Some internal blast walls were formed using Spantech panels as permanent formwork. Spantech also designed and manufactured an array of internal blast doors. The result is very safe and cost-effective building to check and maintain EO.

Award Winning Rapid Delivery

The project was completed in just 14 months from initial consultation to handover of the facility. This efficient delivery model was just one of the reasons Spantech was awarded the 2006 Minister of Defence (NZ) Awards of Excellence to Industry – Very Highly Commended.

Client
New Zealand Defence Force

Location
Waiouru, New Zealand

Builder
Spantech

Spantech Scope
Design and construct

Products
Woomera 300

Awards
2006 Minister of Defence (NZ) Awards of Excellence to Industry – Very Highly Commended