Ridgistorm: Krah electro-fusion jointing has proved its worth!
Polypipe WMS re-engineers original specification for Northumbrian Water flood alleviation scheme based on Ridgistorm-XL’s proven performance and Krah electro-fusion jointing
An early involvement in a capital projects scheme in Penshaw, County Durham for Northumbrian Water enabled Polypipe Water Management Solutions (WMS) to work closely with the engineer Mott MacDonald and supply its Ridgistorm-XL large diameter pipe system – based on the Krah helical extrusion system. An alternative system was originally specified but this was re-engineered after Polypipe WMS demonstrated the performance capabilities and electro-fusion jointing technology of the Ridgistorm-XL system.
114 meters of Ridgistorm-XL pipe with an internal diameter of 1050mm were supplied to the scheme, along with 1050mm elbow joints and two large diameter 1800mm manholes fabricated at Polypipe WMS’s dedicated facility in Loughborough – the largest fabrications department for plastic drainage products in the UK.
Ridgistorm-XL’s electro-fusion jointing method was a significant factor for Northumbrian Water, Mott MacDonald and contractors Seymour Civil Engineering as this eliminated the need for internal welding within the pipework.
Once on-site, the improved handling and quicker installation of the Ridgistorm-XL system compared to traditional rigid materials enabled Seymour to reduce the overall construction programme by two weeks.
In addition to the design and technical support provided by Polypipe WMS during the initial stages of the project, Seymour’s on-site team were also trained on the electro-fusion welding of the Ridgistorm-XL system to aid in the rapid installation of the products. This offered further health and safety benefits as the need for working in confined spaces was reduced.
This project marks the first capital works scheme to use the Ridgistorm-XL large diameter pipe system, with all parties working closely together to trial the new technology. As a modern alternative to traditional rigid materials that provides unique factors such as electro-fusion jointing and bespoke, site-specific design, Ridgistorm-XL can deliver tangible benefits in terms of reduced health and safety risks, improved pipeline performance through joint integrity and an overall reduction in the construction programme.
Paul Davidson, Project Manager for Northumbrian Water commented: “We were keen to trial the Ridgistorm-XL system to understand the specific benefits the product could offer over traditional solutions and we’re very happy with the results. The feedback we’ve received from both Mott MacDonald and Seymour Civil Engineering Contractors has been encouraging and we would consider the use of the Ridgistorm-XL system for similar capital projects in the future.”
Jason Shingleton
Director of Marketing and Development
Polypipe Civils
Charnwood Business Park
North Road
Loughborough LE11 1LE
Phone: 00 44 1509 615100
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