| |
|
Note From The Editor |
Greetings,
Many people have heard of a cross-country foot race. A cross-country race is a timed event where competitors face different challenges over a fixed distance. The obstacles can range from weather to adverse terrain. The thrill of the race might be the obstacles awaiting the competitors at every turn. However, no one would blame a competitor for using a shortcut in the race, if it were legal and within the rules.
Near Loudonville, Ohio, R&R Pipeline just finished a cross-country race of sorts. They were one of two contractors used to fuse a great distance of pipe in less than two months. Under a time limit and with several obstacles, R&R turned to some productivity shortcuts to gain speed and efficiency in efforts to meet the deadline.
The first stage of the race was a one-week time period to get the bid drawn up. R&R was awarded the contract by Dominion East Ohio to install 38,000 feet of high density polyethylene pipe (HPDE) on April 2nd. Four days later, the first six trucks delivered pipe. The finish line for the project was a very speedy May 31st.
The cross-country metaphor extends even further. R&R Pipeline was forced to perform some of the fusions and directional bores far away from the roads. The boring of holes across fields and pastures was required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The measure was in place to protect cornfields that could hold artifacts from the Mohican Indians, as well as other Native American tribes.
With 30,000 feet of 12-inch and 8,000 feet of 8-inch pipe to install, R&R Vice President Jeff Emery began mobilizing resources, which included 50 fusion operators in the 140 person firm, immediately after winning the bid. Along with the miles of pipeline to be fused, 29 tie-ins and tapping tees were required.
The rural hills created a few hurdles, leaving spotty to non-existent cell phone reception to communicate between the 38 R&R workers on site. Multiple job sites operated in unison, but at distances just out of walkie-talkie range. Also, tree-covered hillsides offered little in terms of right-of-ways. Mixed with the EPA concerns and outright speed required to complete the job on time, Emery and R&R turned to Morain Sales and Service for answers or shortcuts that could boost productivity, while still doing great work for Dominion East Ohio.
|
|
|
Jeff Hattendorf at Morain had a few aces up his sleeve, including one of the first McElroy PolyHorse PowerAssist units ever put into the field. The PowerAssist is a hydraulically powered roller that replaces the pivoting roller on the original PolyHorse design. The PolyHorse is a pipe-handling system for 3” to 20” pipe (90mm to 500mm) that allows the pipe to be delivered and stored at a single location. The powered roller aids in maneuvering sticks of pipe up, down and into the fusion machine.
With the PolyHorse PowerAssist and a TracStar 412, R&R’s fusion operators averaged 29 joints of 12-inch pipe per work day. However, the productivity didn’t stop there. When fusing some of the longer lengths of pipe out of the 38,000 total feet of pipe, R&R used a technique called piggybacking. Piggybacking is the practice of having two machines staged at one location so that a fusion technician can fuse one joint while another cools. Once a joint is cooled and pulled out of the machine, the process starts over and rotates from machine to machine, using the downtime of the cooling period to the operator’s advantage.
Emery’s go-to fusion machine of choice on this job was the TracStar 412. Between the four 412 machines on site, Emery found the maneuverability and power of the TracStar to his liking.
“I wouldn’t buy a wheeled machine. The TracStar just has too many benefits,” said Emery. “McElroy’s tracked machines are easier to line up and move.”
R&R also found value in a simple, but often overlooked piece of the McElroy productivity tool lineup. On the opposite end of the fusion site from the PolyHorse, R&R used pipe stands to save wear and tear on the TracStar, keeping the length of pipe close to parallel for faster facing and hi/low adjustment, and for ease in pulling the length of pipe after a completed joint.
When all was said and done, R&R completed the job a week and a half early. The productivity of all the tools, finding a job site setup that works and working hand-in-hand with a local McElroy distributor proved highly productive in the long run.
When planning your next job, whether it resembles a marathon or a sprint, McElroy’s line of productivity tools can help. To highlight all the products that can help, McElroy recently introduced a free productivity brochure. To learn more about these products, simply register for your productivity brochure at http://www.mcelroy.com/fusion/catalog.htm
Sincerely,
Tyler Henning
thenning@mcelroy.com
P.S. – Do you have an interesting jobsite that you would like to share? McElroy is always looking for fusion job sites where HDPE is being used and fused to solve an infrastructure problem. Contact Tyler Henning, public relations specialist at (918) 831-9286 or by email at thenning@mcelroy.com |
|
| New Product Spotlight: DynaMc™ Hand Pump Series |
The new DynaMc™ Hand Pump (HP) machines are true dynamos, giving the operator a powerful fusion unit in a small package. With a detachable easy-lift cradle, the HP machines are easily maneuvered into tight spaces. A double-action hand pump and high-velocity cylinders create fast carriage speeds for the opens and closes of the fusion process.
Perfect for job sites that require just a few joints or for tight working environments, the HP series features some of McElroy’s best technology, including the patented Centerline Guidance System, DataLogger® compatibility, ISO-compliant Teflon-coated heater plates and a powerful electric facer that can be loaded from either side of the machine.
The complete line of HP machines can butt fuse pipes sized from 2” IPS to 12” DIPS (63mm to 340mm) and are available in two- and four-jaw models.
|
Click here for more information on the DynaMc 28.
Click here for more information on the DynaMc 250.
Click here for more information on the DynaMc 412. |
|
| Water industry reeling from economic crisis: consultant |
SINGAPORE — The water industry overall is still being affected by the economic crisis, according to Dan McCarthy, president and CEO of global engineering and consulting firm Black & Veatch’s global water business, according to a June 24 company press release.
McCarthy offered his views on key global economic and business trends that impact the water industry during a media conference at Singapore International Water Week. The event, which kicked off June 23, is scheduled to conclude June 25. It is being held at the Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
“Although we’re seeing hopeful signs of recovery in many regions, the water industry overall is still being impacted by the economic downturn; and protectionist approaches are unfortunately gaining a foothold in some countries,” McCarthy is quoted as saying.
Click here to read the entire story.
|
|
$33.3B Energy and Water Appropriations Bill Heads to House Floor |
By Ben Geman and Taryn Luntz, Greenwire
The House will take up the $33.3 billion fiscal 2010 energy and water spending bill this week as Democratic leaders in that chamber push to complete all appropriations measures before the August break.
The bill funds the Energy Department, Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation and several independent agencies.
It supports increases in renewable energy, efficiency and science funding but also breaks with the Obama administration in some key areas. For instance, the bill does not go along with a DOE plan to end research into hydrogen vehicles and instead provides $40 million for the effort, and also greatly pares back a $280 million plan to create eight multidisciplinary "energy innovation hubs."
Click here to read the entire story.
|
| $160M in stimulus funds to Texas for water projects |
DALLAS — The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded more than $160 million in economic stimulus funds to the Texas Water Development Board for statewide drinking water infrastructure projects, the EPA announced in a July 8 press release.
“Investing in the economy and the environment is a win-win,” EPA Acting Regional Administrator Lawrence E. Starfield is quoted saying. “These funds will not only help our economic recovery, but they will help provide safe, clean drinking water for communities throughout Texas.”
The Recovery Act funds will go to the state’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program, which provides low-interest loans for drinking water systems to finance infrastructure improvements. The program also encourages funding for small and disadvantaged communities and for programs that encourage pollution prevention as a tool for ensuring safe drinking water.
Click here to read the entire story.
|
| Many options, but no cheap fix for Bainbridge's beach sewer mains |
By Sean Roach, Bainbridge Island Review Reporter
Sewer repairs have been costly across the Puget Sound.
Last month’s sewage spill released an estimated 287,000 to 493,000 gallons of untreated sewage and effluent into Eagle Harbor.
Since the spill one thing has become clear – a fix on the aging beach sewer lines won’t come easy or cheap.
There are three alternatives the city is considering; slip-lining existing pipes; replacing lines with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe; and rerouting the pipe off the shore.
Click here to read the entire story.
|
| Atlas PyroVision Productions uses HDPE for fireworks |
By Melanie Plenda
Basic fireworks are named after the flowers they resemble when they explode such as chrysanthemums, dahlias and azalias. Then you have your brocades – named that because they are gold – willows, waterfalls, smile patterns, heart patterns – particularly popular at weddings – and peace signs, among others.
As for the explosives themselves, they start with the packed pipes, made of high density polyetheline, aka HDPE, for those in the know.
"It's what they make the new water mains out of. It's made to expand so there are fewer bursts," he said. "It's the same idea when it's used with fireworks. We used to use steel, but one of the big problems with steel is that it's so heavy. Plus, the HDPE is much safer. If it malfunctions, it expands a little and before it actually explodes, sacrifices itself. The pipe actually absorbs the shock, where something rigid like steel doesn't. It's so much safer."
Click here to read the entire story.
|
|
Water officials fear Calif. Aqueduct could sink |
By Tracie Cone, Associated Press Writer
FRESNO, Calif.—Fearing the main canal carrying drinking water to millions of Southern Californians is sinking again, water officials are monitoring the effects of incessant agricultural pumping from the aquifer that runs under the aqueduct.
Their concern is that the canal, which has sunk six feet in places during California dry spells, will buckle enough to slow delivery of water to parched points south and force costly repairs.
"We have spotty data saying it's active again," said engineering geologist Al Steele, of the state Department of Water Resources.
On June 1, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and other users of state water signed a $255,000, two-year contract with the U.S. Geological Survey to monitor by satellite the California Aqueduct along a vulnerable 70-mile stretch west of here, between Los Banos and Kettleman City.
Click here to read the entire story.
|
| Soil sampler finds 54-inch water main |
AUSTIN, TX — A 54-inch water main that was damaged while a contractor bored for soil samples has been repaired, and mandatory water restrictions for some Austin Water Utility residential and business customers have been lifted, according to local reports.
The water restrictions, issued July 7 for some Austin Water Utility customers, were lifted July 8. Crews repaired the main that began to drain water when a contractor accidentally drilled a 4-inch hole into it while boring for soil samples.
Austin Water Utility issued the restrictions in order to maintain water pressure for drinking and fire protection, News 8 Austin reported July 7.
Click here to read the entire story.
|
| Hot, dry weather causes Houston main breaks |
HOUSTON — Relentless hot, dry weather here has caused soil to become dry and to shift, resulting in numerous water line breaks, according to a June 29 Houston Chronicle story.
There currently are more than 200 recorded leaks, and Roberto Medina, a senior staff analyst with the Public Works Department, said the city is prioritizing crew and contractor workloads.
“The breaks that are determined to be major are ones where water is shooting up and potentially causing structural flooding and street flooding,” Medina said in the story. “Those are the top priority. We ask the public to be patient as we address the other ones.”
Click here to read the entire story.
|
| Oil of the 21st Century |
G8 leaders urged to address global water crisis
By Adam Lisberg, New York Daily News
ROME — Advocacy groups such as Greenpeace, Water Aid and End Water Poverty issued a call to leaders of the G8 nations prior to the start of their 2009 summit in Italy to tackle global water and sanitation issues, especially those in developing countries.
The 2009 G8 Summit is set to be held in L’Aquila, Italy, on July 8-10. Italy now holds the G8 Presidency. The G8 are highly industrialized nations in the northern hemisphere — France, Germany, Italy, Great Britain, Japan, the United States, Canada and Russia, plus the European Union government, represented by the presidents of the European Council and European Commission — which hold a yearly meeting, the G8 Summit, to discuss global issues.
Click here to read the entire story. |
Water services in Indian lands get $90M stimulus boost
WASHINGTON — The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Health and Human Service’s (HHS) Indian Health Service (IHS) on July 8 announced $90 million in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (economic stimulus program) for improved access to drinking water and wastewater services in the American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
The release said the funds will be invested in “shovel ready” infrastructure projects “designed to better protect human and environmental health in Indian Country and to create jobs.”
EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson is quoted saying the projects will address “long-standing water issues in tribal communities.”
Click here to read the entire story. |
El Niño is here, and could help water supplies
WASHINGTON — El Niño has arrived again, which could be good news for water supply managers in the drought-plagued southwest United States, according to a July 9 statement by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the nation’s weather forecasting agency.
A warming of the waters of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean that occurs about every two to five years, an El Niño event lasts about 12 months. Among its likely positive effects are more winter precipitation for the Southwest, as well as less-wintry weather to the North, a reduced risk of wildfires in Florida, and reduced Atlantic hurricane activity, NOAA said.
Click here to read the entire story.
|
NC town running out of water
BOONE, NC — Town of Boone officials are seeking permission to double the town’s draw from the New River to meet drinking water and other water demands, according to a June 29 WFAE news report.
The proposal is facing opposition from some residents. Mia Hartsook, who lives near the spot on the river where Boone hopes to build a new water intake, told WFAE that “more stringent water conservation measures” may offer an alternative to the proposed new intake.
Click here to read the entire story.
|
San Diego Faces Water Supply Challenges
By Ed Joyce
Mandatory water restrictions could be the beginning of a new way of life in California. As we start a week-long examination of our water supply, KPBS Environment Reporter Ed Joyce tells us how we got here, and what the future may bring as we begin our series "H2NO: San Diego Going Dry."
Three key factors are reducing California's water supply:
- A third year of drought.
- Judicial restrictions on pumping from the state water project to save endangered fish in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.
- And the Colorado River Basin has been in a drought for eight of the past 10 years.
Click here to read the entire story. |
McElroy Connections welcomes your feedback, story ideas, tips, or anything else related to PE Pipe and Pipe fusion. Please email your comments and story ideas to:
McElroy Connections is published by McElroy Manufacturing Inc. The information contained within each issue is meant as a service to our customers, distributors, and those involved with Polyethylene Pipe applications.
|
