Vacuum Lift Operations for Large Diameter Pipe
Posted on Jun 24, 2019FT Pipeline Systems was chosen to supply 10km of large diameter pipework for a UK Water Authority as part of a major construction project designed to guarantee future supplies to a UK city.
The pipework has been manufactured by our partner mill in two phases with phase one now on site and phase two due for arrival later in 2019. The client and contractor engaged in a detailed process to specify exactly what they wanted according to industry norms which resulted in a 1626mm OD steel pipe, lined with Eurokote 468 and coated with 3LPE. End joints varied according to the pipe lengths specified so as to reduce wastage on site with Canusa heat shrink sleeves used on the field joints for the joint protection.
Key to the success of the project was the manufacturing of tube to provide fittings ahead of the main pipe run so as to ensure fitting deliveries coincided with the work front requirements and in line with a client-agreed manufacturing, test and inspection plan. End joint tolerances also had to be compatible with the main line pipe which was achieved using cold expansion which provides an even internal diameter and an even weld gap.
FT Pipeline Systems’ experienced delivery team formed a vital part of the tender – meeting the vessel at the docks and overseeing the off-loading, movement to storage and inspection of the pipework prior to dispatching the goods to the job site. To ensure maximum safety and efficiency FT utilise vacuum lifting equipment to carry out this work as can be seen in the video:
