Sarco Stopper opened a new customised manufacturing, testing and Wask approved servicing facility. Allowing us to design, manufacture and service equipment to the very highest standards of quality for all our clients.
Innovative Under Pressure Ferrule Removal Solution
Current regulations require that domestic drinking water is practically lead free, with levels not exceeding 10 µg/l (10ppb). Therefore, with an estimated 40% of UK homes still having their tap water fed through lead pipes, coupled with OFWATS increased regulatory requirements to improve customer service and avoid shutting down water supplies, these lead pipes now need to be replaced using under pressure solutions.
It is often commented throughout the UK water industry, that after burst mains, ferrule related jobs are often the biggest cause of planned shut offs, customer supply interruptions and therefore poor SIM performance.
The Arctic Driver® Ferrule Extraction System allows for the under pressure removal and/or replacement of an existing ferrule, while only isolating the specific customer having their lead service pipe upgraded to the current specification in around 20 minutes. Importantly, during this process, the rest of the network remains live. By adopting the Arctic Driver solution, water companies are improving customer service levels and reducing customer complaints. Hence, the achievement of improved SIM scoring must be seen as a long term sustainable benefit, which is derived by this new way of working. In addition, the removal of cut and capped old ferrules eliminates a significant risk of future back ground leakage and re-excavation to carry out leakage repair. By removing the need to shut off and drain down sections of main, water loss through drain down, recharge and the potential for knock on bursts, (which has been previously tabled at 63% of all network interventions over the following 7 days), the pressure equilibrium of the distribution network can be maintained, leading to a more optimal operational status. This also avoids the need for any further drilling of the main and potentially compromising its integrity.
The Arctic Driver process requires the lead supply pipe connected to the Ferrule to be squeezed off and therefore stop the flow of water. The ferrule is then secured throughout the operation by the Arrestor Clamp and then frozen by delivering liquid CO2 through the Freezer Shroud which has been placed around and fixed to the ferrule. This creates a solid ice plug inside the elbow of the ferrule and allows for the supply pipe to be cut off, leaving the frozen Ferrule stub within the Arctic Driver Shroud, over which the Golf Driver Saddle is then placed. Once the saddle has been secured around the pipe, the existing ferrule can be extracted under pressure. The patented Arctic Driver Saddle, has a unique isolation feature that allows the removal of the Artic Driver equipment and ferrule stub under pressure, to leave the existing drilled and tapped ferrule hole encapsulated by the Arctic Driver Saddle.
In the case of a service disconnection, the saddle can be capped off using a brass plug, or a new ferrule and service pipe can be fitted as required for a service relay or lead renewal. This solution was initially and continues to be developed with leading tier one contractors and Sarco Stopper to eliminate shut offs during the extensive AMP5/6 lead replacement programmes, where many hundreds of thousands of lead service pipes are to be replaced.
Commercial Benefits
As no mains shut off is required for this solution, the following cost savings can be noted:
The BSI pressure certified and patent pending Arctic Driver®: Under Pressure Ferrule Extraction System is also applicable to a range of day to day network activities such as disconnections, service pipe renewals, pressure and flow complaints and all manner of supply pipe leakage jobs.
From the hangar that houses the world famous Concorde aircraft, Graham Charnley, AVK UK’s Industry Sector Manager hosted a successful exhibition and seminar on water leakage, prevention and maintenance. 60 delegates and 30 exhibitors enjoyed the majestic presence of Concorde, a feat of engineering, and AVK hospitality at the Runway Centre Exhibition and Conference Hall, Manchester Airport. The engineering theme was accentuated by a comprehensive display of AVK products, from Dn25mm air valves to Dn600mm gate valve’s and complimented by exhibitions from key UK water industry specialists (full list below).
As industry leaders in the supply and design of valves and fittings, AVK UK bought together a cross section of water experts and papers on the topic of leakage and pipeline management, to share knowledge, experience, innovation and diagnosis and prevention and much more. During the course of the day the delegates were treated to a tour on board Concorde. Attendees – Exhibitors and Delegates : Representatives from Consultants : Atkins, Mouchel, MWH and Mott MacDonald. UK Water Utilities, Yorkshire Water, Northumbrian Water, United Utilities, Thames Water, South West water and Board Gais (Southern Ireland), Contractors : Daniel Contractors and May Gurney. Various associated companies on the supply chain and design. Exhibitors : Sarco Stopper, Glenfield Valves, Hy-Ram, Denholm Pipecare, AVK Industrial, Invicta Valves, AVK Sydall and Busch Penstocks. Speakers & Papers : ARI Valves (Air Valves), Severn Trent Water (Managing your networks), MWH Consultants (Network analysis and Leakage), i2O (Pressure Management), Glenfield Valves (Launch of New Series 859) and VCS Utility Denmark (How the Danes have approached leakage and network design)
Sarco Stopper supports its partnership contractor Morrison Utility Services, at their Innovation Event held at the Williams F1 Conference Centre
The Innovation event offered solutions for:
The day was set out using a ‘Matchmaking’ approach to introduce utility companies to partners, joint venture businesses and associates in a new approach to drive innovation within the various sectors.
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