A rapid response to a serious
leak in a main by Planned Maintenance (Pennine) Ltd prevented thousands
of premises from being without water. A major leak was discovered
in a 30 inch-diameter mains pipe at Hurst Green, near Clitheroe;
the cause was a failure of a joint between a section of concrete
main and cast iron main. Once Balfour Beatty, working with United
Utilities, had shut down the water supply, they had only 60 hours
to make any repairs. PMP were called as their proven AMEX®-10-Seal
system was the ideal solution to the problem.
As a result of the main’s age, problems were encountered with
the valve when attempting to shut off the supply. It was feared
that a different valve, further upstream might need to be used,
which would have affected many business premises (including restaurants)
in Hurst Green. However, this was averted as the original valve
was able to be closed. Once the water supply was off, PMP engineers
worked late into the night to complete the repair to the joint in
as short a time as possible. As a precaution a second seal was fitted
to an upstream joint. Access to the next downstream joint was not
possible.
The AMEX®-10-Seal is a low profile mechanical seal for internal
repair of leaking pipe joints. A robust section of rubber that spans
the joint is fitted using hydraulic expansion of stainless steel
compression rings, thus eliminating the use of chemical adhesives
and their associated hazards. The seal is able to accommodate substantial
joint movement and provides abrasion resistance. Each seal has an
independently verified life expectancy of more than 50 years
.
Being an internal seal, the AMEX®-10-Seal system was the least
invasive method of repair available. AMEX®-10-Seals can be fitted
to all pipe sizes, where man access is achievable. By completing
all repairs internally, trenching and service costs are avoided.
Balfour Beatty Area Manager Mike Rogers and Project Manager Noel
Prestage, were in charge of the operation. Noel Prestage commented:
‘Once the water was shut down, PMP repaired the joint within
4 hours of accessing it – that was the beauty of the operation.’
He added that previous experience of working with PMP and the Amex
seal system was the reason for them being called in for this emergency
repair.
