Industry News, trenchless people
The National Clay Pipe Institute welcomes Kent Carlson as NCPI’s VP. Kent has been working with NCPI since the first part of July, after a very successful career of more than 30-years with the city of Los Angeles. After serving in the U.S. Navy, Kent started working for the city as a machinist and worked his way up to Sewer Operations Manager.
While at the city of LA, Kent invented a number of tools for cleaning sanitary sewer pipes, including:
- The Hollywood Hustler (reverse three-bladed root saw used on mechanical rodders)
- Sparky or the Rat Rod (a high rpm / low-torque hydro-mechanical can cutter, used to cut protruding laterals and remove mineral deposits)
- Hailey’s Comet (a tail piece nozzle for hydraulic root saws)
- A quick change coupling for mechanical rodding trucks that has reduced operator injuries
That background gives Kent a unique “in the trenches” (pun intended) understanding of the challenges facing municipal sewer professionals. When the city of LA began tracking such things, there were over 1,000 spills per calendar year. Using aggressive cleaning techniques and tools, in 2017, that spill rate was just 70 per year for over 6,700 miles of sanitary sewers.
“I loved my job and the people I worked with at the city,” said Carlson, “but I had a strong team in-place that no longer really required my daily participation. The opportunity to meet more sewer rats like me and work with them on a broader set of challenges was too good to pass up! ”
Find out more about him in this Gizmodo article, see the Municipal Sewer & Water article about his efforts in Los Angeles or visit his YouTube channel to see some of his work.
About NCPI
The National Clay Pipe Institute represents the clay pipe industry to sewer system decision makers. They offer the unique perspective, history and knowledge of the longest-serving and longest-lasting pipe product available.
For more information on NCPI, visit their website here.
Industry News, trenchless projects
Project profile submitted by Insta-Pipe – Trenchless Pipe Repair using the Pull in Place pressure liner “PRIMUS Line”.
Client:
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Engineering and Installation
Partner:
Insta Pipe, Inc. – Trenchless Pipe Repair, Olympia, WA
Year of Construction:
September 2017
Type of Project:
Rehabilitation of an 8 inch AC low pressure Water Supply Line in one section of 850 feet
Our Services:
• Supply and delivery of the flexible low pressure 8 inch Primus Liner (ANSI/NSF 61 approved)
• Delivery of the 8 inch Primus Line low pressure connectors (150 psig)
Task:
Located just east of Bellingham, WA, Lake Whatcom covers 4,923.6 acres and is home to the Lake Whatcom Trout Hatchery owned by Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife. Fishing opportunities on the lake include resident Kokanee, Largemouth and Smallmouth bass, and Yellow Perch. Fishing for resident Coastal Cutthroat Trout is currently closed due to a decline in abundance caused by siltation from logging and urban activities in their spawning tributaries. The Lake management is of mixed species with an emphasis on Trout. The task was to provide all labor, material, equipment, and permits to rehabilitate an existing 8 inch diameter asbestos concrete water supply pipe at the Department‘s Lake Whatcom Hatchery, located at 3918 South Bay Drive, Sedro Woolley, WA 98284 in Whatcom County.
Rehabilitation System:
In choosing a contractor, technique and product to rehabilitate the 8 inch, 850 feet long water supply line to the Trout Hatchery rearing ponds it was extremely important for fisheries to consider the purity of the product with an ANSI/NSF 61 approval and the minimal impact that the installation would have on the hatchery grounds, stream buffers & surrounding forestland environment and community.
Fisheries chose Insta-Pipe, Inc. to successfully install Raedlinger Primus Line to rehabilitate the pipe-line with extremely low impact rather than to dig and replace the line that ran from a supply dam, crossed a stream and paralleled that stream to its final destination at the Hatchery.
Project Description:
The decision was to install a Primus Line® DN200MD with a nominal diameter of 8 inch and a nominal design pressure of 261 psi. Since the technology works with an annular space to achieve long insertion lengths and negotiate bends, the liner provides an actual outer diameter of 7.165 inch and inner diameter of 6.693 inch. According
to the calculation of the technical department of Primus Line, the pressure rating of the system through the 45 degree bends is 148 psi and thus easily capable of accommodating the maximal operating pressure of 8 psi along the entire pipe route. To complete the system, the specially developed termination fittings were used to guarantee a durable and tensile strong connection. The Insta-Pipe team prepared the construction site and managed to complete the installation of the rehabilitation system in two days. During the entire installation a Fisheries Supervisor was on-site.
Insta-Pipe, Trenchless Pipe Repair
REPAIR SEWERS WITHOUT TRENCHING, WITH SEWER PIPE LINING
With over 25 years of experience, Insta-Pipe Trenchless Pipe Repair can repair sewer and storm lines and repair outside drain pipes with pipe lining services in WA, OR and surrounding areas. Don’t trench when you can take advantage of our pipe lining evaluation and services.
Phone: 360-943-5840 Toll Free: 866-463-9747
855 Trosper Rd SW, 108-204 Olympia, Washington 98512
www.insta-pipe.com
Raedlinger Primus Line, Inc.
112 South Tryon Street, Suite 1130
Charlotte, North Carolina 28284
info@primusline.com www.primusline.com
Industry News, trenchless products
November 15, 2018 – LAKE MILLS, Wisc. – HammerHead® Trenchless, a Charles Machine Works Company, of Lake Mills, Wisconsin, USA, and Per Aarsleff Pipe Technology, of Aarhus, Denmark, have signed a long-term, strategic partnership agreement that includes plans for HammerHead to produce and distribute the Bluelight LED Curing System for Cured-In-Place pipe (CIPP) to markets outside of Europe and Russia.
The two groups are joining forces with a shared vision of bringing innovative pipe renovation technologies to market by leveraging the resources and expertise of each organization.
“This partnership is an ideal match,” said Kevin Smith, President of HammerHead Trenchless. “Aarsleff has developed a technology proven to greatly improve how contractors rehabilitate laterals, and HammerHead, as part of the Charles Machines Works Family of Companies, has the ability to advance that technology globally. Collaboration between our organizations will allow us to expand availability and maximize impact of new innovations, like the Bluelight System, now and in the future.”
HammerHead Trenchless is a leading manufacturer and supplier of rehabilitation, replacement and installation equipment and consumables for the underground construction market. It offers a broad range of trenchless solutions including quality equipment and materials, technical field support, and comprehensive training services to customers around the world.
Per Arsleff A/S is a top Infrastructure Contractor in Europe with extensive experience in trenchless applications. Its trenchless division, established in 1978, produces and employs its own CIPP liners, resin and installation equipment, including the Bluelight LED Curing System for 4” to 10” laterals. With more than 50,000 installations completed in Europe, the Bluelight system has a proven track record of quality and reliability.
Per Aarsleff Pipe Technology Divisional Manager Hans Christensen said, “Our continued success utilizing the Bluelight system demonstrates that LED can transform the CIPP process for customers around the world. We have found a strong partner in HammerHead and we look forward to expanding the availability of Bluelight curing technology beyond Europe. This partnership is the beginning of many developments in the ways we can renovate pipes.”
The agreement grants HammerHead exclusive rights to produce and distribute the Bluelight product outside of Europe and Russia. The Bluelight product line is currently being adapted and certified for the North American market and is expected to be available in 2019. Per Aarsleff Pipe Technology will continue to sell the Bluelight product in Europe and Russia under the Bluelight brand name.
For more information, visit hammerheadtrenchless.com/bluelightled.
Industry News, trenchless people
McLaughlin Group, Inc. and Vac-Tron Equipment, LLC come together as Vermeer MV Solutions.
Pella, Iowa, November 12, 2018 – Vermeer Corporation announced its purchase of Vac-Tron Equipment, LLC, and its plans to bring the Florida-based company together with McLaughlin Group, Inc. which was purchased by Vermeer in 2017. This acquisition and integration of the two companies builds on the Vermeer strategy to provide a comprehensive suite of vacuum excavation technology, equipment, training and support to the growing underground utility and soft dig markets.
Founded in 1997, Vac-Tron has grown to become a respected brand known for innovative, high-quality vacuum excavation products sold and serviced across underground utility markets. Headquartered in Okahumpka, Fla., Vac-Tron offices and production facilities employ more than 100 people. For the last 13 years, Vac-Tron products have been sold almost exclusively through the Vermeer dealer network.
McLaughlin, a drill tooling and vacuum excavation company founded in 1921 and located in Greenville, S.C. with more than 100 team members, brought nearly a century of industry knowledge into the Vermeer fold last year.
“This acquisition allows us to leverage the innovation, market expertise and production capabilities across our McLaughlin, Vac-Tron and Vermeer brands to meet increasing customer demand while giving our dealers a more efficient, single-point connection to a full product lineup. Coming together solidifies the long-term strategy and commitment to support customers and dealers in a unified way,” said Jason Andringa, Vermeer Corporation president and CEO.
Operating under the combined group, Vermeer MV Solutions, the organization will continue to provide Vermeer-branded vacuum excavation equipment and technology through dedicated Vac-Tron and McLaughlin series product lines as well as McLaughlin branded utility accessories and auger boring systems.
Vermeer MV Solutions will operate under one combined leadership and sales team led by General Manager Dave Van Wyk. Leadership at both Vac-Tron and McLaughlin will come together and serve as a unified team, bringing the strengths and best practices together in the areas of innovation, design, manufacturing, sales and customer support. The Florida and South Carolina locations will continue production as they work together to meet the growing demand within the soft dig markets.
“We’ve been proud to have the Vermeer name on our equipment for the past 13 years. Now, we are proud to formally be a part of the Vermeer family. We look forward to investing with McLaughlin and Vermeer to deliver the technology and equipment our customers need as we provide the highest quality product for the customer,” said Tim Fischer, Vac-Tron president.
About Vermeer
Vermeer Corporation delivers a real impact in a progressing world through the manufacture of high-quality underground construction, surface mining, tree care, environmental and agricultural equipment. With a reputation for durability and reliability, that equipment is backed by localized customer service and support provided by independent dealers around the world. To learn more about Vermeer Corporation, visit Vermeer.com. To dig into the Vermeer story, visit Vermeerimpact.com.
Industry News, trenchless people
HydroScience is pleased to announce the opening of their fifth HydroScience office, located in Carlsbad, California, and led by Regional Manager Robert J. (Jud) Warren, PE, BCEE. Jud will be leading their efforts to provide water, wastewater, and recycled water engineering services in Southern California.
Jud has close to 40 years of project delivery experience for clients throughout the Western United States, and most recently in San Diego County. He will be backed by the full resources of their engineers and support staff in the other HydroScience offices. Led by Jud, HydroScience looks forward to implementing their mission of providing the highest quality work for their clients in this new region—the first time and every time.
HydroScience Carlsbad Office
2131 Palomar Airport Rd, Suite 208
Carlsbad, CA 92011
Jud Warren, PE, BCEE
760.815.3219
jwarren@hydroscience.com
Industry News, trenchless people
Offers expert-led, hands-on curriculum in a distraction-free environment
Nov. 6, 2018 – LAKE MILLS, Wisc. – The first class of contractors to graduate from HammerHead University, the world’s most advanced trenchless technique learning center, received manufacturer certification after three days of hands-on, guided instruction Sept. 17. The training facilities and curricula had been officially announced as fully operational at the Lake Mills, Wisconsin, headquarters of HammerHead Trenchless, a Charles Machine Works company, during its annual August sales meeting.
The new two-story, 5,000-square-foot educational facilities provide trenchless method contractors, plumbers, project engineers and utility company and municipal crews both classroom and hands-on application training for every HammerHead product line. Courses are available for the pipe ramming, pipe bursting and pipe slitting methods; lateral and vertical cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) cleaning, preparation and rehabilitation; and pipe and culvert spot repair.
HammerHead University’s first graduates included six Apollo Home employees. Founded in 1910, the Cincinnati-based business provides sales, service and repair of home mechanicals including heating, cooling, ventilation, electrical, plumbing and sewer systems for more than 800,000 customers in its Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana service area.
Services such as drain cleaning, water line replacement and sewer repair are overseen by Apollo Excavation Manager Dustin White, who was one of those returning for a three-day course on HammerHead cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining systems and point repair. White received his initial HammerHead CIPP certification prior to the existence of the facilities. He compared how much the university-like setting improved the learning experience for four Apollo technicians attending with him for their initial certification.
“The controlled environment really makes a difference,” White said. “The mockup creates a better real-life experience. It takes away the anxiety of a ‘game-time’ situation. The pipe was embedded in gravel, but everything was above ground, giving our people who are new to CIPP better visual access to see exactly how it works.”
Jeff Urbanski, HammerHead Training and Technical Services Manager, said a fully controlled learning environment allows students to focus on the fundamentals of the applications without the distraction of specific, site-based complications. Initially grounded in an application’s principles, students are better prepared to anticipate how such jobsite factors will affect an operation, as well as help them to more quickly determine the root cause of any problem that arises.
“This is innovative education. It’s not just reading from a book. We simulate real-life applications, replicating situations that put participants inside a house or a manhole on a street. But taking away the soil, watery ground conditions and confined entries in their first experience with the method results in more consistently repeatable performance over a wide range of worksite conditions.”
A controlled learning environment is also a safer environment to gain practical experience before applying techniques in the field, he said. “Mistakes in a controlled setting result in greater understanding, whereas on an actual job, mistakes can cause expensive downtime due to equipment or property damage.”
For those who already have that grounded understanding, Urbanski said instructors can alter mockups to duplicate a specific site’s set of complications. “Contractors can study in advance the impact of certain variables like cobbled soils and flooded pits before they face them on the job.”
Courses are led by application experts. “Our HammerHead University teaching staff consists of former plumbers, knowledgeable factory and industry equipment specialists and experienced field technicians – all highly trusted advisors,” Urbanski said.
The HammerHead University setting enables courses to be held year-round. “No matter what the weather is outside, 365 days a year, participants can be using Same Path technologies to install, replace or rehab pipe, from gas-line slitting to CIPP applications.”
HammerHead is currently in the process of establishing an “e-learning platform” with continuing education units for its courses. Urbanski said, “In association with our courses, students will be able to go online and for a small fee take a pass-fail course to receive certification that applies specifically to their state or a given municipality if its governed by specific guidance. Certification will be annually renewable.”
Average class sizes in a given application range between two and five people. The University demonstration area accommodates up to 18 participants in as many as eight separate application stations simultaneously. Larger class sizes can be accommodated in the HammerHead University conference room.
To enroll or request information about specialized courses, contact HammerHead Trenchless at (920) 648-4848, or go to https://www.hammerheadtrenchless.com/training.
Photo 1: HammerHead University, the world’s most advanced trenchless technique learning center.
Photos 2-3: Students learn the hands-on curriculum in a distraction-free environment.
The National Clay Pipe Institute welcomes Kent Carlson as NCPI’s VP. Kent has been working with NCPI since the first part of July, after a very successful career of more than 30-years with the city of Los Angeles. After serving in the U.S. Navy, Kent started working for the city as a machinist and worked his way up to Sewer Operations Manager.
