Waterworks Solutions PresentationBy Michael Rullo, Smith-Blair Corporation

Smith-Blair Corporation

The Global Leader in Waterworks Fabrication since 1939

Smith-Blair's 44 acre site in Texarkana, Arkansas, builds and ships thousands of products globally each day and employs over 200 people.

water & industrialwater product solution center

Our commitment to excellence has produced a vast range of products for pipe joining, restraining, tapping, coupling and repairing for the water markets throughout the world.

Steel Couplings

TappingSleeves

FlangedCouplingAdapters

Restraints

What can BLUE do for you?

What Causes Water Main Breaks?

Natural Disasters

Severe storms, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes can dislodge or overwhelm mains, fire hydrants, valves and other distribution

system components.

Weather and Environmental Change

Thermal expansion and contraction from the effects of freezing and thawing damage distribution systems. In hot weather, a shallow depth

of cover can result in water quality problems and customer complaints.

Ground and Soil Movement

Breaks or leaks that have washed out bedding and fill material, asphalt or other surface treatment can expose the pipe or cause it to rupture,

causing extensive damage.

Defective and Aging Pipes

Chemical reaction of the water, the by-products of the internal chemical reaction, and the activity of corrosive soils externally all

cause deterioration of pipe materials—potentially causing the pipe to break, burst, crack and split.

Tuberculation

Localized corrosion results in knoblike mounds of rust that builds up more quickly in a compromised pipe. As a result, water flow through the pipe is reduced, making it impossible to maintain adequate water

pressure and ultimately leading to breaks and cracks.

Defective or Improper Fittings and Connections

Leaks occur when pipes are improperly connected, bolts are incorrectly tightened, or a rubber gasket is improperly placed.

Water Hammer and Pressure Surges

Compromised pipe material can be blown out by water hammer or pressure surges – resulting in enormous water loss and tremendous

cleanup effort.

Corrosion – Internal/External

When water gets between the lining and the inside pipe, it causes tuberculation. External integrity is compromised when the pipe is

placed on improper bedding, causing corrosion.

Poor Design or Inspection

Designers of water conveyance systems must determine the minimum diameter and thickness of the pipe to effectively withstand a range of

pressure. Otherwise, a main break will result.

Improper Construction Practices

If proper consideration is not given to pipe support, securely tightened fittings, proper placement of rubber gasket, thrust blocks and restraint

fittings then movement will cause leaks.

Traffic Loads and Insufficiently Deep Cover

Insufficient depth of cover above the mains can contribute directly to breaks and leaks when there is a heavy traffic load.

Unmarked or Mismarked Water Mains

If an excavator encounters an unidentified water main, the excavation equipment could slice through it or dig it up, likely breaking or

damaging the pipe in the process.

Construction Damage

In some cases, the contractor may cause the leak or break. Not only must the pipe be repaired, but often the affected area must be dried

out, or the oversaturated soil must be removed and replaced.

Arrived at Job-Site Monday AM

SOLUTIONFull Circle Repair Clamps

200 Series

226 – Single Band 2” thru 14” pipe

size Max working

pressure – Up to 300 PSI

Temperature Range -20°F to +180°F

Full Circle®

method of repair

261 –All Stainless Steel 2” thru 12” pipe

size Max working

pressure – Up to 150 PSI

Temperature Range -20°F to +180°F

Full Circle®

method of repair

SOLUTION:Full Circle Redi-Clamps

240 Series

244 –Full Circle® with Ductile Lug

1/2” thru 2” pipe size

Max 150 PSI Allowable working

pressure determined by size of the pipe

Temperature Range -20°F to +180°F

245 –Stainless Steel with Ductile Lug 1/2” thru 12” pipe

size Max working

pressure – Up to 250 PSI

Temperature Range -20°F to +180°F

Allowable working pressure determined by size of the pipe

Service ConnectionRepairs

SOLUTION:Service Saddles

300 Series

313 – Double Bale Service Saddle Ductile Iron Body Flexi-

Coat®with Carbon Steel Bales

Nom. Sizes in 1- ¼ ” thru 24” with ¾” and 1” NPT taps - 5/8”, ¾ “ and 1”CC

2” thru 24”, with 1-1/4” , 1- ½ ”, 2” and 2- ½” taps1-¼, 1- ½ and 2” CC taps

6” thru 18”, with 3” and 4” NPT taps

315 – Service Saddle TaperSeal™ – Ductile

Iron Body with Stainless Steel Straps

Fusion bonded Flexi-Coat®

Nom. Sizes in 1” thru 14” with 5/8” , ¾” and 1” CC taps- ¾”,1” NPT

2” thru 14”, with 1- ¼ ” 1- ½ ” CC taps- 1- ¼ ” , 1- ½ ” and 2” NPT

SOLUTION:Bolted Couplings

400 Series

441 – OMNI ™ Coupling System Ductile Iron Sleeve

and Flanges Versatile, straight,

transition and reducing coupling 2” thru 16” Stab Insertion of

pipe ends 250 PSI Rating

SOLUTION:Top Bolt

Coupling System

421 – Top Bolt

Wide Range Easy to Install – one

bolt on each end to tighten Stab Insertion of

pipe ends 260 PSI Rating

Special Fabrication Products

Model 670 Bell Pack Clamp

36” Bell Repair Coupling

Stainless SteelCut-in Tee

TESTING

The Process of Repairing Water Main Breaks

• Is the main critical to a portion of the system or the entire system?•Are any critical institutions on that main?•Are any special-needs customers in the affected area?•Did the break result in extensive damage?•How long has the pipe been leaking?•What is the leakage rate of the break?•Are there any major traffic safety concerns?•Are the necessary components available?

Prioritizing Repairs

Prior to the repair, or as part of the process, all affected customers should be notified.

If it appears that repairs will be extensive and take several days, affected customers should be advised to store enough water for their essential uses until service is restored.

The water provider should provide an alternate water supply.

Notifying Customers

The main requiring attention may be adjacent to another underground utility, such as gas or electric, causing repair or replacement to be difficult and time consuming.

The water utility should be prepared to share the following information:•How their service will be affected by the •break•Alternative service options•A designated contact person for •regular •updates or changes

Notifying Other Utilities

The damage to the pipe will dictate what is used for repairs.

The following are examples of breaks and leaks:• A point break (pinhole leak)•A latitudinal or longitudinal break•A section or partial blowout as a result of a pressure surge•Damage to the majority of the pipe•A corrosion leak•A defective fitting•A loose bolt or improperly placed rubber gasket

Identifying Equipment, Materials and Personnel

The use of leak detection equipment by staff or contractor reduces the time spent trying to find the leaks while accuracy of pinpointing the location greatly improves.

Pinpointing the Location of the Leak

Skillful operators are sensitive enough to underground utilities and obstructions that they are able to expose the damaged main or service effectively without causing additional problems such as damaging another utilities infrastructure or further destroying the water line being exposed.

Excavating for Leak Exposure

It’s important to inspect not only the pipe but the soil around it and any adjacent connections, fittings and/or structures when evaluating the cause of the leak and condition of the pipe. The soil around the pipe or fittings may be corrosive and instrumental in the process of degradation.

Evaluating the Pipe Damage and Leak

When the leak is exposed and several previous repairs are evidenced by repair clamps or other repair devices a short distance from the latest break, it’s better to replace a larger portion of the pipe – or even the entire section.

Multiple or Complex Leaks

The following are types of breaks that should be considered and planned for BEFORE they happen:

Complex Main Breaks

•A break involving one or more section of pipe fitting•A break at a fire hydrant branch line or service connection•A break on a large-diameter pipe at a tapping-valve connection•A break adjacent to, just above, •or just below another utility

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