Case Studies

This large project involved the installation of new dedicated fire main, potable water main and sprinkler main to replace old defective mains on a live pharmaceutical plant.

The majority of the works was carried out using open trench excavations for the underground pipework, with a small portion of the pipework being installed above ground.

The construction works was made problematic due to the large quantity of existing underground services, many of which their location was unknown. As well as this, there were areas of work where there was a high risk of fire or explosion, therefore specific precautions had to be implemented.

The works included several kilometres of new high pressure pipe installation, most of which is HPPE pipework with butt fusion and electrofusion jointing, the fire main constructed using FM Global approved HPPE pipes and fittings, with some ductile iron pipework, scour valves, air valves, gate valves, fire hydrants and chlorination and pressure testing of the mains. Pipes ranged in size from 315mm to 50mm.

Due to the site being operational, the works was split into sections to enable a planned approach to making new sections of pipe live.

Various forms of earthwork support were used including sheet piles, walers and trench boxes, to support the varying ground conditions. The presence of running sand in several areas, required the use of well pointing to assist with the installation of the new pipes.

The works included two main connections to Scottish Water incoming pipeline to the site as well as numerous connections to existing building, services and other pipework feed connections on the site.

Much of the works was carried out within the site roads, therefore reinstatement of the road surfacing was carried out following the pipe installation works.

The works have been ongoing for over two years and they are now nearing completion and have been carried out to the satisfaction of the client, for whom we have been a long serving Civils contractor.