What is Airport Infrastructure Maintenance?
Airport maintenance is the set of engineering, civil works, coatings, and industrial electricity services applied to passenger terminals, maintenance hangars, ground support equipment (GSE) workshops, taxiways, and operational areas. Its objective is to guarantee operational safety, the continuity of air traffic, and the structural integrity of facilities under national and international regulations.
SINE México offers comprehensive solutions ranging from surface preparation and application of high chemical resistance polymeric floors, to space reconfiguration through civil works, structural welding, and power electrical systems.
When is it needed?
An airport administrator or maintenance manager should intervene when the following operational signs appear:
- Contamination by Skydrol and fuels: Concrete degradation or detachment of previous paints in hangars due to aggressive hydraulic fluid spills.
- Cracks and potholes in concrete slabs: Spalling or damaged cold joints on runways, taxiways, or hangars that jeopardize aircraft safety due to FOD (Foreign Object Debris) detachment.
- Loss of reflectivity and signage: Wear on safety demarcation lines in taxiway areas and hangars.
- Failures in grounding systems: Electrical variations that endanger navigation equipment, radars, or runway lighting systems (ALS).
- Corrosion in hangar structures: Visible oxidation in steel trusses exposed to weather and condensation.
Problems resolved by specialized maintenance
- Risk of FOD (Foreign Object Debris): Immediate repair of damaged concrete prevents stone or cement fragments from being sucked into aircraft turbines.
- Unscheduled operational shutdowns: The application of fast-curing materials minimizes downtime for contact positions and hangars.
- Regulatory sanctions: Avoids fines and disqualifications from AFAC (Federal Civil Aviation Agency) and SCT by keeping facilities up to standard.
- Occupational insecurity: Reduces skidding of personnel and ground support machinery through anti-slip textures on floors exposed to oils.
Types of solutions and systems available
| System / Solution | Recommended Thickness | Chemical Resistance | Curing Time | Recommended Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Novolac Epoxy | 30 - 45 mils | Excellent (Skydrol, Jet A-1) | 24 - 48 hours | Major maintenance hangars, pump rooms |
| Cementitious Urethane | 4.0 - 6.0 mm | Outstanding | 12 - 24 hours | Ground support workshops, engine wash areas |
| Polyaspartic Systems | 15 - 20 mils | High | 2 - 4 hours | Terminal corridors, baggage areas, fast-curing hangars |
| ACI Repair Mortars | Variable (2" - 6") | Structural (High compression) | 8 - 24 hours | Taxiway slabs, structural joints on platforms |
| Intumescent Coating | According to structural calculation | Fire resistance (ASTM E119) | 24 hours | Metal structures of passenger terminals |
Materials and technologies used
At SINE México, we don't improvise. We select technologies from leading global manufacturers to guarantee project durability:
- Sika y Sherwin-Williams: Epoxy and aliphatic polyurethane formulations resistant to UV radiation and chemical attack from synthetic lubricants.
- Fosroc y BASF (MasterBuilders): Shrinkage-compensated, accelerated-setting cementitious mortars for the repair of structural concrete slabs.
- MMA Systems (Methyl Methacrylate): For exterior applications on platforms requiring heavy traffic enablement in less than two hours.
- Firetex Intumescent Paints: For passive fire protection of steel structures in passenger terminals.
Applicable Regulations and Standards
Our processes and applications strictly adhere to:
- AFAC / SCT: National airport infrastructure safety guidelines.
- ACI 302.1R / ACI 360R: Guides for the design and construction of industrial and airport concrete floors.
- ASTM D4263: Standard test method for indicating moisture in concrete before applying coatings.
- NFPA 409: Standard for aircraft hangars (drainage systems, fuel containment, and fire protection).
- NOM-001-SEDE: Electrical utilization installations, ensuring stable grounding systems for radio communication equipment.
Our Work Process at SINE México
- On-Site Diagnosis and Evaluation: Visual inspection, substrate moisture tests (ASTM F1869/F2170), and concrete compressive strength evaluation (sclerometer).
- Operational Planning: Logistics coordination for access to sterile areas and design of a phased night work plan.
- Substrate Preparation: Diamond grinding, shotblasting, or milling to create an anchor profile (CSP 3 to CSP 6 according to ICRI).
- System Application: Application of vapor barrier primers, base coats, repair mortars, or epoxy/polyurethane coatings under controlled temperature and humidity conditions.
- Quality Control: Wet and dry film thickness measurement, adhesion tests (Pull-Off ASTM D4541), and conductivity/static dissipation verification if the area requires it.
- Delivery and Release: Joint inspection with airport construction supervision and delivery of a technical dossier with data sheets and written warranty.
Common mistakes when hiring / installing (And how we avoid them)
- Omitting concrete moisture testing: Applying epoxies to slabs with high osmotic pressure causes blistering. At SINE, we always measure moisture and, if necessary, apply epoxy vapor barriers.
- Poor surface preparation: The exclusive use of acid to clean concrete does not generate the necessary anchor profile. We use mechanical preparation with integrated vacuum equipment to avoid dust in hangar areas.
- Not considering Skydrol resistance: The use of commercial polyurethane paints or standard epoxies results in immediate floor softening upon contact with aviation hydraulic fluids. We exclusively use industrial-grade coatings tested against Skydrol.
Factors determining cost
The cost of an airport maintenance project varies depending on:
- Access logistics and schedules: Night work or work in sterile areas with strict airport security controls.
- Current substrate condition: Degree of oil contamination, number of cracks to repair, and need for leveling.
- Thickness and type of system: From thin-film coatings for pedestrian traffic areas to cementitious urethane mortars for heavy-duty workshops.
- Geographic location: Mobilization of specialized crews and equipment to branches in Torreón, Saltillo, Piedras Negras, or any airport in the country.
SINE Mexico Warranty
All our airport coating maintenance and installation projects come with a written warranty that backs the material's adhesion and the quality of the workmanship. We work closely with material manufacturers to offer extended warranties of up to 5 or 10 years on selected systems.
Request your quote
Optimize the safety and lifespan of your airport facilities with the engineering team from SINE México.
- WhatsApp: +52 871 228 3838
- Email: ventas@sinemantenimiento.com
- Headquarters: Torreón, Coahuila. Coverage in Saltillo, Piedras Negras, and throughout the north of the country.
Schedule a free diagnostic technical visit at your facilities today.