Business Continuity

Case Study - Heathrow Sewage Spillage

A multi-million pound loss and massive disruption to thousands of people's travel arrangements was avoided by ISS Damage Control after sewage flooded Heathrow's Terminal 4.

More than 10,000 litres of sewage flooded through baggage halls, check in desks, offices and public areas just as the airport was heading for its busiest period of the year.

Heathrow airport attracts 68m passengers a year and Terminal 4 specialises in long haul flights.

A 19-inch sewer pipe burst above baggage carousel 2 early on Sunday, December 4. ISS Damage Control responded immediately after being alerted by its sister company, ISS Facility Services.

A 30 strong team of technicians worked round the clock stripping and cleaning check-in areas, offices, baggage conveyors and public areas.

Within 11 days the bulk of the work was completed and the Terminal was given the all clear to resume business.

"This was a particularly nasty flood which had the potential to cause millions of pounds worth of business interruption losses." - Project Manager

May 2007