January 2012, Vol. 67 No. 1
Features
IPBA To Unveil New Pipe Bursting Guidelines At UCT
The International Pipe Bursting Association (IPBA) has completed new guidelines for the pipe bursting process which will be introduced at the 2012 UCT Show (Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exposition), Jan. 24-26, in San Antonio, TX.
The IPBA is a division of NASSCO (National Association of Sewer Service Companies), and information about the new guidelines will be available at the NASSCO booth at UCT, said Matt Timberlake, IPBA leadership team member.
“Until now, the Trenchless Technology Center Guidelines prepared in 2001 and NASSCO guidelines released in 2004, are the most widely used standards for pipe bursting and both relate primarily to sanitary sewer replacement,” said Timberlake. “Pipe bursting in the United States has matured dramatically in the last five to 10 years and guidelines available today to industry professionals should reflect the most current information available.”
The new IPBA guidelines focus on the overall applications of pipe bursting and will be followed in 2012 with individualized documents that relate specifically to water, sewer, gas, lateral and large diameter pipe bursting.
“We believe,” Timberlake continued, “that there are many project owners and engineers who may be considering pipe bursting but have no firsthand experience and knowledge to adequately consider whether the technology is applicable to their situations. The goal of the IPBA is to be at the forefront of providing the most up-to-date information about techniques, products and applications.”
Comprehensive guidelines
Timberlake said the IPBA Pipe Bursting Guidelines is an educational guide covering the basics of pipe bursting. Basic sections of the guidelines include:
• The two primary classes of pipe bursting: static and pneumatic with industry standard definitions;
• Design considerations;
• Construction considerations;
• Geotechnical conditions and their effects on pipe bursting design and construction;
• Risk management;
• Typical layouts and pit configurations; and
• Troubleshooting in the field.
A sample specification will be available as a supplemental attachment.
Timberlake said drafters of the new guidelines have devoted intensive effort to clarifying pipe bursting terminology so that all those communicating with one another about the technology understand the common meaning of those terms.
Timberlake said upgrades of the IPBA web site currently are being made to be accessed on NASSCO’s web site (www.nassco.org) and will be posted on it soon after UCT. Free downloads of the guidelines and free specification guidelines may be accessed on the site.
“The IPBA education committee,” said Timberlake also will concentrate efforts to promote the guidelines at regional and national educational seminars and other industry events. We will do everything possible to make the guidelines available to all in the industry who can benefit from them.”
Many inputs
The pipe bursting guidelines are the collective work of IBPA’s leadership team with input from many industry experts, said Timberlake.
He explained that while the IPBA is a division of NASSCO, backed by NASSCO’s resources and operating under its by-laws, it operates as a stand-alone association with the freedom to set its own direction and agenda.
“IPBA developed an aggressive, five-year strategic plan in 2010 that includes a number of high-level goals to benefit the pipe bursting industry which we are in the process of implementing,” he concluded. “The new pipe bursting guidelines are a key element in that plan.”
Timberlake serves as chairperson of the IPBA marketing committee. He is vice president and senior project manager at the Ted Berry Co.
The IPBA is committed to advancing the acceptance of pipe bursting through education, training, marketing and governmental support and to promote the replacement of existing pipe infrastructure using the most cost effective method.
NASSCO, based in Owings Mills, MD, is a national association composed of several hundred members representing sewer and rehabilitation industry manufacturers and suppliers, municipalities and utility districts, engineers and contracting firms dedicated to establishing and implementing standards for rehabilitation of underground utilities.
FOR MORE INFO:
IPBA, (410) 486-3500, www.nassco.org
UCT, (281) 558-6930, www.uctonline.com
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