WET News

18 | WET News | February 2014 | PiPes & drainage Organised by Supported by Dermot Nolan Chairperson, Commission for Energy Regulation Phil Hogan, T.D Minister, Environment, Community and Local Government Ronan Larkin Director of Finance and Regulation, Northern Ireland Water Dr. John Tierney Managing Director, Irish Water Anthony Cox Head, Climate, Biodiversity and Water Division OECD EXPERT SPEAKERS INCLUDE Ian Talbot Chief Executive, Chambers Ireland Dermott Jewell Chief Executive, Consumers' Association of Ireland Claire McCamphill Policy Offi cer, WFD Implementation and Water Policy, DG Environment European Commission Water Ireland 2014 is a must-attend annual conference for anyone involved in or affected by the evolution and sustainability of the Irish water sector. Attend to: • Gain fi rst-hand insight into the development of Irish Water • Explore the potential for Ireland to tap into business abroad • Understand the change in infrastructure delivery within Ireland • Gain fi rst-hand insight into the Water Framework Directive and the vision that the EU has for safeguarding water resources • Hear new perspectives on the water cycle and integrated water resource management challenges facing Ireland • Find out new approaches to changing consumer behaviour and attitudes toward water consumption and conservation Charity partner follow us @WWTlive using #waterireland BOOK NOW at www.WWT-ireland.net Water Ireland-245x170mm.indd 1 06/01/2014 13:15 The British Standard for the specifi- cation of reinforced and unreinforced manholes and soakaways is about to be revised. Stuart Crisp, business development director for the Concrete Pipeline Systems Association, outlines the most important changes. Chambers made to fulfil potential SuCCeSSful innovation is about creating value for customers through the development of new products and processes or by improving existing ones. Concrete Pipeline Systems Association (CPSA) member companies are at the forefront of innovation with the manufacture of precast pipe, manhole and water management systems. The industry's new circular precast manhole systems are a range of off-site manufactured solutions that are quicker and cheaper to install, using components designed to fit together to make a watertight construction and, most importantly, they help improve safety on site. A circular precast manhole system comprises a concrete base unit, complete with pre-formed channel and benching, with predetermined combinations of inlet(s) and outlet plus thicker walled chamber rings that are stronger, eliminating the need for in-situ concrete backfill during construction. In addition, the design flexibility of precast concrete means that, in addition to standard features, many special features can also be incorporated in the factory and simply placed into position on site, replacing lengthy in-situ operations. The technical requirements for reinforced and unreinforced manholes are described in the British Standard, BS5911 Part 3. Part H of the Building Regulations, which deals with drainage and waste disposal, makes reference to this product Standard. Compliance with the Building Regulations is a legally binding obligation and, in the context of concrete manholes, is dependent on meeting the requirements described in BS5911-3. The problem for specifiers and contractors looking to take advantage of the benefits of a precast manhole solution is that until now the Standard has not included a specification for the precast base unit. That is set to change when the latest revisions to the Standard are published later this year. An advantage of using a precast solution is that users would expect products to comply with the Standard and all necessary technical requirements. One change, for example, is that the new Standard includes a clarification of the requirement that nominally vertical benching to the main channel is as high as the soffit of the outlet. Another important change to the Standard will be the The precast solution uses less concrete ensuring less waste and excavated material inclusion of two new preferred sizes of rectangular manholes 1,000mm x 1,000mm and 1,250mm x 12,50mm. With the inclusion of these rectangular manholes, customers need to understand the correct equivalent functional size of circular and rectangular manholes. Guidance on minimum nominal sizes for circular and rectangular manholes is provided by the Standard, BS EN 752: 2008 Drain and Sewer Systems Outside Buildings and the publication Sewers for Adoption 7th edition. For example, a square manhole 1,250mm x 1,250mm is equivalent to a circular manhole of 1,200mm diameter. Regardless of the shape of the manhole, where it includes a ladder or step irons, contractors also need to ensure there is sufficient clear space between the ladder and the back of the shaft. The Health and Safety Executive's confined spaces regulations recommend 900mm clearance. Since ladders and steps usually protrude more than 100mm, a rectangular manhole 1,000mm x 1,000mm or a circular unit measuring 1,050 diameter are not of circular and rectangular manholes. Customers need to be aware that there is a lower maximum depth at which rectangular manholes can be used; a new annex has been introduced to the Standard to provide users with the means to calculate if the Strength Class of the selected manhole is structurally adequate at the required installation depth. Landfill The Standard also includes new test loads for cover slabs, to align them with Eurocodes. The test load of 250kN over a 400mm x 400mm contact area is a combination of the expected to comply with the HSE guidance. However, a 1,200mm diameter or 1,250mm x 1,250mm rectangular manhole will, generally, meet the HSE guidance. If the sewer is to be adopted, customers also need to be aware that 1,050mm diameter circular manholes and 1,000mm x 1,000mm manholes are too small to comply with the Sewers for Adoption minimum nominal internal dimension requirements. The revised Standard also makes a distinction between the structural behaviour Special features can also be incorporated and simply placed into position on site A specification for the precast base unit has not been included in the Standard until now February 2014 | WET News | 19 PiPes & drainage | Chambers made to fulfil potential Contact the sales team on Tel: 0161 231 9140 info@hambakerpipelines.co.uk | www.hambakerpipelines.co.uk Ham Baker Pipelines, the pipe and fittings supplier you can always depend on in times of need. We promise to give you: • Rapid enquiry response and excellent technical advice • Significant stock of a wide range of high quality products • A 'one-stop-shop' for all of your needs, even specials, fabricated in the UK • On-site delivery, on time and on budget Put your trust in a long-term pipeline and fittings partner that won't let you down. Give us a ring today. With Ham Baker Pipelines you've got it made – and delivered! DUCTILE IRON PIPE FABRICATED PIPE COUPLINGS & ADAPTORS FITTOSIZE DUCTILE IRON FITTINGS VALVES HAWLE REPAIR CLAMPS One pipeline partner you can always rely * on {*v. To have faith or confidence in somebody or something.} 150kN and 100kN wheel loads from adjacent lanes simplified as a single load. The publication of the new Standard will ensure users benefit from time savings of 20-50% from using the circular precast manhole system. This has the potential to reduce installed costs by well over 15-30%, particularly when the manholes are installed without a concrete surround. The precast solution also uses less concrete and there is less waste and excavated material to be disposed of as landfill. The CPSA estimate 15,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent of embodied carbon would be saved annually if all manholes manufactured by the Association's members changed to the new circular precast base system. The CPSA's precast circular manholes are further enhanced by responsible sourcing of raw materials from local suppliers to ensure cradle-to- site miles are low and the use of recycled materials helps keep embodied impacts to a minimum. In addition, because the complete system is manufactured under factory conditions by quality assured companies, the quality and finish is better than could be achieved on site. n For further information on changes introduced in the Standard, the CPSA has published a technical bulletin. www.concretepipes.co.uk/page/ quality-and-standards A perfect base plan

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