Hatfield Station Footbridge: RPR Heat Induction Coating Removal and Recoat
The Hatfield Station Footbridge is a 44 metre structure spanning multiple tracks in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. Working with Construction Marine Ltd, Specialist Painting Group restored the footbridge after its existing protective coating failed, using RPR heat induction to remove the old system before applying a new protective coating.
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The Challenge at Hatfield Station Footbridge
A significant percentage of the footbridge was showing signs of corrosion, and the failed coating was no longer protecting the steel beneath it. Once a paint system breaks down on this scale, spot repairs are no longer enough. The old coating has to come off so the steel can be properly prepared and recoated.
Footbridges over live railways present their own difficulties. Access is limited, the structure sits directly above the tracks, and anything that falls or becomes airborne during the work is a risk to the railway below. Every method has to be chosen with those constraints in mind.
Why RPR Heat Induction Suited Hatfield Station Footbridge
Traditional abrasive blasting and heavy mechanical surface preparation were ruled out because of the sensitive rail environment. Both methods generate dust, spent abrasive and noise that are difficult to contain next to operational lines.
RPR heat induction takes a different approach. An induction field heats the steel just behind the coating, which breaks the bond between the paint and the substrate. The coating can then be lifted away in sheets, producing far less dust and waste than blasting and keeping the working area cleaner and safer.
At Hatfield, this approach kept mechanical preparation to a minimum while still meeting the stringent surface preparation standards required for the new protective coating system. Learn more about our RPR heat induction coating removal service.
Applying the New Protective Coating System
With the old coating removed and the steel prepared to the required standard, a new protective coating system was applied to the footbridge. A correctly applied system over well prepared steel is what gives a structure like this its long service life, protecting it from moisture, pollutants and the everyday wear of a busy station.
The result is a footbridge with restored corrosion protection, secured for long term durability and safety, with the integrity of the surrounding environment preserved throughout the works. See our wider corrosion protection services.
Coating Work in Sensitive Rail Environments
Rail infrastructure owners such as Network Rail expect contractors to control every aspect of the work, from dust and waste to the safety of people on and around the track. Choosing the right surface preparation method is central to that. RPR heat induction, mechanical preparation and abrasive blasting each have their place, and the right choice depends on the structure, the coating being removed and the environment around it.
Planning a Coating Refurbishment
Every successful refurbishment starts with understanding the condition of the existing coating and the steel beneath it. A survey identifies where the coating has failed, how far corrosion has progressed and whether the old system can be overcoated or needs to be removed completely. That information shapes the choice of surface preparation method and the new coating specification.
SPG supports asset owners through each of these stages, from coating inspection and specification advice through to preparation and application. Projects such as Hatfield Station Footbridge show how the right plan, agreed at the outset, keeps work safe, efficient and on programme.
Why Choose SPG
Specialist Painting Group has delivered industrial coating projects since 1997. Our operatives are ICATS certified, and we hold RISQS, SafeContractor, ISO 9001, ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 accreditations, giving clients the competence, safety management and quality systems they expect from a specialist contractor.
Explore the sectors we work in, or contact us to discuss a footbridge or rail structure that needs attention.
