For many people, including us, Fall and Winter are favorite times of the year. There are several things to look forward to, from football tailgates and holidays with family to sled riding with the kids. However, along with the fun can come treacherous weather conditions such as freezing temperatures, freezing rain, snow, sleet, and ice. In this Iron Strong Blog, we will discuss several topics related to cold weather Ductile iron pipeline (DI pipe) installations and how to ensure your utility isn’t stranded out in the cold.
Material comparisons, in whatever format presented, are a common and useful tool for evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of one product versus another. These evaluations can assist engineers and specifiers with selecting the proper material, yet must contain relevant and factual details so as not to be vague or misleading. Otherwise, they are no more than bad marketing literature. Such is the case with a recent publication from a plastic pipe manufacturer and their most recent comparison of PVC pipe to Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe)1. In this #IronStrong Blog, we pointedly call out several erroneous claims by “writing the wrongs” contained in the published chart below.
Approximately 85% of a utility’s capital investment is underground. Since water and sewer infrastructure plays such a significant role in the total energy consumption of municipalities, more emphasis must be placed on energy savings when selecting pipe materials. This Iron Strong Blog will describe factors that affect energy cost at water utilities and how to save money.
Have you ever wondered what’s behind the AWWA standards? What do they mean? And why do we need them? They’re listed all the time in specifications, mysterious numbers on plans. Have you ever reviewed them to know why they are important for working with Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe)? In this Iron Strong Blog, we will briefly cover some of the applicable standards for DI pipe and how they help you complete your job safely, successfully, and on time.
It's hard to believe summer is ending, especially because summertime is one of my favorite seasons of the year! I love floating in the water with the sun on my face, relaxing. However, for some, this brings anxiety. The same force that allows us to float in the water affects all materials, including pipe.
This physical force is called buoyancy. Buoyancy calculations are extremely important for those building ships and boats. We don’t really think about it when dealing with buried pipe, but those same principles and forces apply. Good for boats, but bad for buried pipe.
So, you have a waterworks project with a long run of buried Ductile iron pipe where joint restraint is required. What is a reliable, affordable, and easy-to-install solution? The Sure Stop 350® Gasket (SSG) is a good choice. Not familiar with it? This #IronStrong Blog will describe a Sure Stop Gasket, what it is intended for, and how to install it properly.
With a storied history involving faults, earthquakes and piping, the city of Hayward, California sits just across the bay from San Francisco (SF), south of Oakland. The first notable seismic event was recorded here in 1868, when an earthquake with an estimated 6.7 magnitude struck, causing significant damage and deaths. Hayward rebuilt, remaining an agricultural community in the early 20th century, then grew quickly, becoming the sixth-largest city in the SF Bay Area.
There are many "moving parts," as water professionals know, in the operation of a water system. The intricacies of not only supplying customers with a safe water supply but assuring that supply is adequate, including paramount necessities such as fire protection, many times create an ever-changing balance of key parameters within the water system. When the system operator affects such changes, there should be no concern by the operator regarding the transmission and distribution system to accommodate these changes. This article will highlight two system components that can be directly affected by material selected for system underground infrastructure.
When it comes to restraining a water line, what comes to mind? Thrust blocks? Sure Stop 350® Gaskets? (locking gasket), TufGrip™ (wedge-action retainer gland), or maybe the standard default choice, TR Flex®? (Ductile iron restrained joint pipe). There is another option that might not regularly come to mind. It is known as Mechanical Joint Lock Joint or MJLJ for short. We will look at how the joint works, how it is installed, and locations where the MJLJ may be preferred.
What is National Skilled Trades Day, and what is its importance? National Skilled Trades Day is celebrated on the first Wednesday in May. City Machine Technologies, Inc. founded National Skilled Trades Day to bring awareness to the skilled trades shortage facing the United States. The day also celebrates those who work in the trades, shedding a positive light and celebrating the importance of skilled trades jobs. Many highly skilled workers fill a multitude of careers across our nation, including construction, healthcare, manufacturing, and service industries.
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