March 2009 Vol. 64 No. 3
General
First Look: New Pressure Pipe Uses Electro-Fusion Joints
A new spiral-wound pressure pipe has been introduced to the North American market for use in water and wastewater systems.
Krah spiral wound pressure pipe was exhibited for the first time at the 2009 Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT) last January in San Antonio. It is available in the United States, Canada and Mexico in diameters from 12 to 120 inches.
“Krah has developed the most reliable and advantageous large diameter pipe systems available,” said Joachim Mittmann, general manager of Krah Pipe Systems, Greenwood, SC. “Krah pipe is flexible, durable and impact resistant. Our pipes ensure a long lasting solution to piping requirements.”
Mittmann describes Krah pipe products as safe and field proven alternatives to conventional clay, PVC, steel or concrete pipes. The NSF grade polyethylene and polypropylene pipes are reinforced with a patented three layer glass fiber system, and are compliant with ASTM standards.
Krah Pipe Systems provide optimum security and resistance against chemical corrosion and damaging UV rays. It resists cracking and abrasions in harsh environments ranging from extreme cold to intense heat. It is promoted as having a 100 year life cycle.
“Our pipes,” Mittmann continued, “are earthquake proven and resistant to rodents and termites. The smooth interior surface of the pipes also resists all forms of microbial growth, which is especially good to prevent tuberculation.
Patented jointing
Krah pipe systems employ a patented electro fusion jointing technique that provides a clean, simple and secure jointing method, allowing pipes to be installed in a very short amount of time, which keeps project costs and manpower to a minimum.
Electro fusion wires are integrated into bell and spigot, and joints are made with inexpensive fusion machines making it affordable to have multiple units on a project for fusing several joints in a short time period. Mittmann said “cooking” time ranges to 30 minutes, depending on wall thickness, but always significantly shorter than the butt fusion process. One hundred percent leak proof joints are stronger than the pipe itself, and fabricated wyes, tees, elbows and reducers are part of a monolithic system. Integrated electro fusion bell and spigot are included in the cost of the pipe. Krah pipe can be easily connected to other types of pipes.
While new to the U.S., Krah pipe products have proven their quality on projects internationally for more than 30 years. Krah Pipe Systems is the newest member of Krah AG, Schutzbach, Germany, with manufacturing facilities in Spain, Croatia, Chile, Turkey, Germany, Russia, Argentina and Kuwait, in addition to the United States offices and manufacturing facilities in South Carolina. The North American facility includes engineering, manufacturing and corporate offices.
Although Krah pipe has not previously been actively promoted in North America, several projects using Krah pipe systems have been completed or are under way in the United States, said Mittmann.
Krah pipe systems are sold through distributors and directly from Krah.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Krah Pipe Systems: (864) 223 0592, www.krahpipesystems.com
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