Water and Effluent Treatment Magazine
Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/607941
DECEMBER 2015 WET NEWS 11 installation. This robust highway ironwork installation system is proven to reduce cost, wastage and disruption. The rapid set UniPak patented system features engineered polymer packing planks that raise the sub- structure to the required level and a polymer-based low slump mortar that interlocks with the planks to form a homogeneous structure. This creates a rock-solid bed to prevent movement and cracking of the foundation and frames. Unique polymer stepped wedges can be added to level ironwork during installation. Wrekin Products carried out intensive testing and road trials to develop UniPak. It worked with customers to identify roads that suffered repeated highway ironwork failures, including Westminster in the City of London and Edinburgh's A697 arterial route. Unite manhole covers fixed with UniPak were installed in these high traffic routes achieving universal success. The UniPak system also aims to achieve zero-waste. The mortar is available in a range of pack sizes, meaning the fitter can mix the right amount of product to suit the size of manhole cover or gully grate. The mortar also has a unique colour to provide a simple visual check that the correct product has been used. To better ensure correct installation every time, Wrekin Products is now providing training to improve installation standards through its newly- launched academy. Blending classroom learning sessions with hands-on experience on a specially-built training track, the academy's in-house experts will help industry professionals to achieve best practice in highway ironwork installation. As the pressure on public spending continues, finding ways to prevent rather than repair road damage needs to move higher up the government's agenda. An all- encompassing, built to last package of measures, like using the UniPak system and fitting Unite manhole covers, gives highways and utilities organisations the tools to improve standards and reduce costs. n Simon Gibson is technical director at Wrekin Products. "...the gauntlet has been laid down for contractors and utilities alike to focus on lasting installations using high quality materials Simon Gibson