Misleading information has recently circulated regarding the availability of TR Flex® restrained joint pipe and fittings, creating a flurry of questions and uncertainty for engineers and utilities about its service performance and integrity. How can an engineer design a project without knowing the facts? After reviewing the information in this #IronStrong Blog, one can better understand future expectations.
Welcome to our Halloween edition of #IronStrong," where we’ve compiled the spooky challenges haunting construction builders and pipeline contractors. From tricky terrain to mysterious leaks and unforeseen obstacles, we’re here to illuminate the “scary” aspects of water pipeline installations that can send chills down a project manager's spine.
See the “Ditch Doctor” advice column and a link to our blog, “Exorcising Restraint." We dissect a few daunting issues and present real-world solutions and insights to help brave contractors turn their nightmares into success stories. Grab your flashlight (and tools) as we guide you through the shadows, ensuring your next project is well-prepared to face any “frightening” twist that may lie ahead.
The choice of materials in water infrastructure is crucial in ensuring the system's durability and reliability and influencing operational costs. Water and wastewater treatment plants are typically the largest energy consumers for municipalities, accounting for 30 to 40% of total energy consumption. To protect their systems from overload, energy companies must implement rolling blackouts during extreme weather. This #IronStrong Blog discusses the benefits of using Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) in your utility water system and how its key advantages can save you money compared to other materials.
During a recent business trip, I noticed water being used randomly to combat the summer heat at various locations, construction sites, local sporting and recreational activities, fire safety, and public welfare. As I observed these activities, I wondered if the public understands how water gets from nature to human use and consumption. Most Americans can easily access a disinfected drinking water supply at home and the workplace. However, many do not know how public water treatment works before it reaches their glass. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act, a federal law enacted in 1974 to protect drinking water quality in the United States. This act is crucial in ensuring that our water is safe and clean. To celebrate this milestone, I'm sharing this #IronStrong Blog, which explains water sources in general terms, the treatment of water, the public water distribution system, and the role Ductile iron pipe plays.
In a recent #IronStrong Blog published in September 2024, we discussed, in detail, how to measure horizontal distances between offsets within a Ductile iron (DI) pipeline segment. This blog will continue that discussion by addressing how to calculate the vertical distance between DI pipeline offsets.
Straight-line distances can sometimes be deceiving when examining a set of plans for a water or sewer project. This #IronStrong Blog will address how to determine the exact amount of Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) needed when a change of direction due to horizontal offset fittings occurs.
In today's competitive business world, talent development strategies are essential for growing a skilled workforce. Cooperative education programs or Co-Ops stand out as proactive initiatives that bridge the gap between academic learning and industry experience for many students who will eventually earn degrees and become job seekers. This #IronStrong blog explores the Co-Op program at McWane Ductile, a forward-thinking organization committed to nurturing talent. By examining this program's structure, benefits, and outcomes, this blog highlights how McWane Ductile integrates classroom theory with hands-on learning opportunities, preparing students for successful careers while attracting potential job candidates to the company.
Jimmy texts Bill, "I can't get into the virtual meeting." Bill replies, "You need to click on the link I sent you." Jimmy responds, "Where is the link?" A frustrated Bill answers, "In the email about the meeting." A confused Jimmy asks, "On my computer? Bill answers again, "Yes! Is your computer on?" Jimmy fumbles to turn on his computer and texts Bill again, "OK, it is now. How do I get to the meeting?" Does this situation sound familiar to you? Have you ever explained something to someone only to realize that they knew less about the subject than you had previously assumed? In this episode of Iron Strong, we'll cover how to use an OD (Outside Diameter) Tape when measuring Ductile iron pipe.
In my previous experience, I’ve spent many hours operating numerous types of saws in various settings, such as felling a tree during seasonal work in my college years or emergency tree removal work in the aftermath of destructive storms while serving on a right-of-way crew. Whether you’re trimming a tree or cutting a piece of Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe), they share similarities, such as analyzing the situation, safety first, measuring twice, and cutting once.
Is every piece of Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) round? The short answer is no, but most of the time, a piece of pipe may be so slightly oval that it is not even noticeable to the end user. In fact, the way pipe is manufactured today, out-of-round issues are rarely a concern. At our foundries, there are quality assurance procedures in place that help safeguard this from occurring. However, there are occasions when you may encounter a piece of pipe in the field, typically on a field cut, that is too oval to facilitate an easy assembly. This #IronStrong Blog provides step-by-step instructions on how to round an oval ductile iron pipe using a field rounding kit.
In a continuous effort to make your job easier, we have developed an online submittal builder to quickly and neatly package your personalized presentation.
BUILD MY SUBMITTAL
Looking for answers to your DI pipe questions? Find decades of Ductile iron expertise with installation guides, videos, tip sheets, training resources, and more in our Learning Center.
GIVE ME ANSWERS
Stop struggling with those hard-to-figure field calculations and put ease and efficiency right at your fingertips with our Pocket Engineer for mobile and desktop devices.
CALCULATE NOW
McWane Ductile is proud to be a part of the McWane family of companies.
