Humidification improves conditions for Air Traffic Control in Jersey
Following trials with mobile humidifiers to address problems with dry air causing people’s eyes to be uncomfortable, especially those wearing contact lenses, Jersey Air Traffic Control has installed four Condair steam humidifiers at its centre in Jersey Airport. The humidifiers serve the Control Tower, which controls flight arrivals and departures from Jersey Airport, and in the Air Traffic Control Centre — both of which were built in 2010 to accommodate the increasing attraction of flying to and from the islands.
Air traffic control in the Channel Islands has a high visual and mental workload using purpose-design interactive screens as essential tools.
Les Smallwood, senior air traffic control officer at the centre, explains, ‘The human element is important. In a job where errors could be critical, an environment that is comfortable and considers people’s wellbeing also supports their working needs. The humidifiers are part of this.’
The largest humidifier is a 30 kg/h resistive steam humidifier. It supplies the air-handling system for the first floor of the Air Traffic Control Centre to maintain around 50% RH.
Three in-room humidifiers are used in the Control Tower itself and in the Air Traffic Engineering offices, where staff are responsible for the good operation of radar, navaids, electronic equipment and associated services. They can deliver up to 4 kg/h of pure steam directly into the space.
