Zappshelter Delivers Weather-Proof Salt Storage for Aberdeen Airport

The Company:

Aberdeen Airport is an important transport hub connecting the northeast of Scotland to the rest of the world. Operating in a region known for its harsh and unpredictable winter weather, the airport requires meticulous planning and infrastructure to ensure runways, walkways and surrounding roads remain safe and operational year-round. 

Maintaining a continuous, reliable supply of high-quality de-icing salt is an essential part of their seasonal operations.

The Challenge:

Anyone involved in winter maintenance knows that exposed salt is a major operational liability. According to National Winter Service Research Group (NWSRG) guidance, unprotected stockpiles can increase annual salt consumption by 50%. 

When salt is exposed to the elements, it absorbs water, pushing the moisture content beyond the optimum 1.5% to 4% range. This leads to “tunnelling” in spreaders and uneven application, risking untreated surfaces and safety breaches. 

Temporary measures, like sheeting, are ineffective. Sheets are frequently pulled back to allow a front-end loader to access the salt and are typically left off for extended periods. Even a few hours of exposure during a rain or snowstorm completely undermines the purpose of the cover. They are also vulnerable to wind-lift, water pooling and tears/punctures. 

The Solution:

To safeguard their salt supply and winter operations, Aberdeen Airport required a permanent, weather-proof storage solution that would perform from day one. Zappshelter was chosen to provide a fast, robust setup tailored exactly to their site layout.

The installation included:

• One 8m wide x 6m long Zappshelter
• An 8m partial end wall for added weather protection
• Secure mounting on a custom-built interlocking concrete block bay

The Result:

By keeping their salt consistently dry and eliminating water ingress, Aberdeen Airport maintains their stock in top condition, enabling economical spread rates of less than 10g/m² rather than the 15g/m² required for unprotected salt. 

The Zappshelter completely removes the financial loss associated with leaching and costly remedial work, while reducing the environmental and legal risks of groundwater contamination. Ultimately, the main benefits are reliable road treatments, reduced operational time and maximum return on investment for their entire winter technology and fleet.

Needing dedicated, weatherproof storage for your salt supply?

Give our team of Sheltologists® a call today: 0208 0505 121 or hit the button below…