Objectives

The primary objective of this project is to perform a comprehensive upgrade, refurbishment, and replacement of aging infrastructure and systems at the high-capacity Jet-A1 bulk fuel storage depot at O. R. Tambo International Airport. The works aim to improve reliability, capacity, safety, compliance, and operational efficiency of the fuel storage and distribution systems, ensuring minimal disruption to airport operations and adherence to the highest safety and regulatory standards.

Scope

The scope encompasses multiple concurrent workstreams across civil, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and control disciplines, including:

• Replacement and upgrade of storage tanks (Tanks 1-13), including testing, coatings, and structural integrity certifications.
• Upgrading piping, valves, and hydraulics for fuel receipt, transfer, and apron supply systems.
• Refurbishment and expansion of pump bays, filtration, and metering stations.
• Electrical & instrumentation upgrades, SCADA integration, and automation enhancements.
• Fire protection and safety systems, including foam suppression, fire detection, and emergency shutdowns.
• Civil and structural works including foundations, bunds, drainage, pavements, and site infrastructure.
• Refurbishment of administration, control rooms, and auxiliary buildings.
• Design, procurement, construction, and management of associated utilities, water, stormwater, and environmental systems.

Technical Requirements

The project mandates compliance with international and South African standards, including but not limited to:

• API standards (650, 653, 2610, 520, 610, 677, 421, 2000, 1530, 1535)
• NFPA codes (30, 15, 75, 25)
• SANS standards (10400 series, 10252, 10254, 10142, 10160, 10131, 1475, 241, 10228, 10292, 10313, 10389)
• ISO standards (14644, 8573, 62443, 27001, 13374, 60584)
• IEC standards (60364, 61511, 61784)
• Occupational Health & Safety Act (85 of 1993) and Construction Regulations
• Environmental legislation including NEMA, WUL, and local by-laws
• ICAO, SACAA, and international aviation fuel handling standards

The works must meet performance targets related to structural integrity, leak tightness, fire safety, environmental protection, system redundancy, and operational resilience, validated through factory acceptance tests (FAT), site acceptance tests (SAT), and commissioning protocols.

Skills Requirements

The project requires an integrated, multi-disciplinary team with extensive experience in brownfield petroleum infrastructure upgrades within high-security, operationally sensitive environments. Key skills include:

• Petroleum and aviation fuel system engineering, design, and refurbishment expertise.
• Structural, civil, and geotechnical engineering with experience in tank foundations, bunds, and site infrastructure.
• Mechanical engineering with proficiency in tank design, piping, fire suppression, and fluid systems.
• Electrical, control, and instrumentation engineering, including SCADA, PLC, safety systems, and cybersecurity.
• Environmental management, including spill containment, stormwater, and waste handling.
• Health & Safety management, including risk assessments, permit-to-work systems, and emergency response planning.
• Project management with skills in EPCM delivery, scheduling, quality assurance, and compliance monitoring.
• Specialist skills in high-risk hazardous environment operations, including ATEX/IECEX-rated equipment and safety-critical systems.

Personnel must demonstrate relevant certifications, experience in similar projects, and adherence to safety, quality, and environmental standards throughout the project lifecycle.