Three Kilometers of 24" Fusible C-905® Pipe Installed for New Water Supply Pipeline in Sooke, British Columbia

In December 2007, Aggressive Excavating Ltd. contracted with Underground Solutions, Inc. (UGSI) to provide UGSI's Fusible C-905® pipe and fusion services for the first phase of the New Supply Pipeline to Sooke project on Vancouver Island. Pipe fusion was completed over a period spanning from late January to April working in concert with the contractor's installation schedule, which included significant rock excavation. Total pipeline length for Phase 1 was 3,140 meters (10,300 LF) of 600mm (24") DR 32.5 pipe.

Due to seismic considerations in the area, the entire pipeline was required to be fully restrained. Contractors were requested to bid four pipe options: Fusible C-905® pipe, high density polyethylene (HDPE), restrained bell-and-spigot PVC, and restrained ductile iron (DI). Aggressive Excavating, the low contractor, selected Fusible C-905® pipe based on total installed cost savings. Utilizing Fusible C-905® pipe yielded $200,000 in savings versus the next lowest bid using an alternative pipe material. Fusible C-905® pipe was the low or second low option selected by four of the five bidding contractors. Use of Fusible C-905® pipe eliminated over 500 restraints that would have been required with belland- spigot PVC or ductile iron pipe, and provided a 40% weight savings versus HDPE. Reconnections to valves and transitions were achieved using standard, readily available 600mm fittings (MJ x MJ solid sleeve and standard Megalug® connections).

Installation went smoothly despite significant rock excavation and difficult construction conditions during the wet, winter months. Fusible C-905® pipe did not require excavation of bell holes in the rocky areas and also allowed the contractor to focus on trench construction rather than pipe assembly, reducing crew size and saving installation time. In May 2008 the entire line was pressure tested in a single event at 105 psi for two hours and was accepted by the CRD.

Kevin Dunmore, Aggressive Excavating Project Manager, stated: "Installation accessibility was a challenge on this project. Using Fusible C-905® pipe simplified the installation by using fused lengths of up to 300 meters and bending radii within the allowable 164 meters to reduce the number of DI fittings. Throughout the winter project period, Underground Solutions was able to supply pipe and provide equipment and a technician to fuse their pipe on-site with no delays to our schedule. The use of Fusible PVC™ pipe has been a first time, positive experience for all involved with this project."

Fusible C-905® is under consideration for an additional 6km section of this 600mm diameter pipeline. For additional information about this project or references, please contact Patrick Laidlaw.

Cold Weather Fusion

Trench Insertion

4m Right of Way

Pipe Pulled In