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Real Madrid’s refurbished stadium is coated using Graco sprayers
Graco’s King E60 Electric Airless Sprayers prove indispensable to coat a massive football stadium with passive fire protection material.
What’s the best way to coat a huge football stadium with fireproof material? This was the question asked by the contractor responsible for the on-site painting and coating work of the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid.
The Santiago Bernabeu stadium is home to one of the most famous and successful football clubs in the world: Real Madrid. Yet this iconic place was in need of a facelift. With the Bernabeu stadium looking rather dated and below par in recent years, Real Madrid made the decision to invest heavily and give the complex a comprehensive makeover. The objective was to create a home befitting of the team’s reputation in the sporting world.
The redeveloped complex will include a roof, a 360-degree video screen, a host of entertainment facilities, as well as shops, restaurants and a hotel, and will be surrounded by extensive gardens.
Facing the main challenge
However, when it comes to spraying passive fire protection material on such a huge structure, there is one overriding problem: getting enough air compressors on site. This is a particular challenge in a building like a stadium, with its steeply sloping terraces and dense network of underground tunnels.
Thankfully the solution is straightforward: use electric airless sprayers! For the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, the contractor selected Graco’s King E60 electric airless sprayers. These were provided by Graco distributor Clemco International through its local affiliate in Zamudio, Bizkaia, near Bilbao.
Easily use anywhere
The King E60 is the perfect solution for the Bernabeu stadium renovation project as the contractor can apply the fireproof material perfectly without having to bring in multiple air compressors. Moreover, the King E60 runs on multiple power options (120V, 220V or 240V). This was very useful as 220V electric power sockets are readily available throughout the stadium, both above and below ground.
Operates quietly and saves energy
In addition, the King E60 benefits from quiet operation. For example, it’s up to five times quieter than a traditional air motor. This significantly improved working conditions in the stadium. At the same time, it saves up to 80% on energy costs when compared to an air-operated sprayer – and doesn’t require an expensive compressor to run it either. (And it also removes compressor maintenance from the equation too!).
No icing
The benefits of this machine don’t end there. By eliminating the need for an air motor, it avoids icing. This is a common problem in Spain due to its high levels of humidity. Icing of an air motor results in a slowing of the motor and loss of pressure which can be detrimental to productivity. By eliminating icing, the King E60 sprayer keeps spraying at the pump’s maximum potential in any conditions.
Intumescent coating
For the work on the stadium, the King E60 sprayers are equipped with 30 meters of 3/8" hose, and tips of size 219. They are used to spray Hempacore One FD from Hempel. This is a single-component, solvent-borne, physically fast-drying intumescent coating for passive fire protection of structural steel. The King E60 sprayers are operated at a maximum flow of 5.2 litres per minute and a pressure of 414 bar.
Conclusion
On sites such as the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, where air supply is not easy to find or clean enough, the King E60 electric airless sprayer from Graco is the perfect solution. It doesn’t need air to operate it, and it’s easy to find a nearby 220V socket.
The King E60 can handle Graco’s most popular airless spray tip sizes. They provide a consistent spray pattern thanks to the low rate of pulsation provided by electric operation. This smooth spray pattern is noticeable at the gun and leads to an outstanding final coating quality.
Along with all the above, the Graco King E60 is ATEX, IECEx, and Class 1, Div. 1 approved. This means that the King E60 can be used in most locations including chemical plants, paint shops, refineries, and offshore.
More information
If you are interested in learning more about Graco’s King series of electric airless sprayers or want a product demonstration, fill in the form below.
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