LMK Technologies has entered an exclusive licensing agreement with RBM to deliver its market leading products to the Australian market.
Established in 1984, RBM Plumbing & Drainage has grown into a leading provider of maintenance services for all facets of sewer rehabilitation across the country. With a workforce comprising highly skilled and trained crews that can meet the needs of customers on time and on budget, RBM Construction Manager Michael Roberts says the company strives to continually improve its systems and work methods to ensure industry best practices.
“Our focus is to provide reliable and safe, cost-effective plumbing and excavations practices,” says Mr Roberts.
“With over 30 years in the industry, we take pride in constantly providing the highest quality workmanship [and] finding solutions to difficult works that are beyond the experience of others. RBM Plumbing & Drainage offers a seamless experience meeting expectation of clients of all calibres.”
RBM is delivering and installing LMK Technologies CIPP lining products to the Australian market.
CIPP lining technologies
RBM has been completing rehabilitation projects for the past ten years and, following the recent agreement with LMK technologies, is pleased to now be able to offer market-leading WSAA and MRWA approved products to the Australian market.
Currently available is the LMK Lateral Pipe Cure-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) Relining Inversion Technology, including insignia gasket sealing technology; LMK T-Liner Main to Lateral Relining System; and the LMK VAC-A-Tee Inspection Shaft System. The lateral pipe technology eliminates the need to access a downstream manhole, therefore limiting and even eliminating traffic management costs and inconvenience to water authority customers as multiple properties can remain undisturbed.
Mr Roberts says the liner can be stopped and started on a continuous line to keep junctions live, which also avoids the extra costs and time of reinstating junctions. Additionally, installing the additional Insignia Gasket Sealing Technology ensures a watertight seal that provides reliable, long-term resistance to root intrusions.
The LMK T-Liner main is used to fully restore the structural integrity of the host pipe with a full-circle, engineered main-to-lateral connection that also renews lateral pipes in one continuous length of up to 30 m without cold joints. The T-Liner is then impregnated with the resign system under controlled vacuum conditions and inverted through the lateral while the pipe cracks and voids are filled with resin migration, with curing accomplished within as little as 30 minutes with steam.
RBM also supplies LMK’s VAC-A-Tee, a trenchless outside inspection shaft system that allows access to the lateral pipe for cleaning, inspection and lateral lining. Mr Roberts says the vacuum excavation method eliminates potential hazards around utility lines and “minimises homeowner disruption, with no damage or restoration to landscape”.
Pending water authority approvals, RBM will also supply the Schwalm Plug System, which installs a mechanic plug in the lateral from the main line to leave the line clear for future rehabilitation works.
The RBM solution
RBM has proven success using the exclusive LMK products on projects across Australia.
Mr Roberts says one client had a requirement to rehabilitate and replace three sewer branches in Yarraville, each being 14 m long, 2.5 m deep and across a busy roadway.
The client’s estimation for completion was nine days; however, by using its exclusive LMK T-liner system, RBM was able to rehabilitate the line in a total of 18 hours, eliminating the need for council permits, substantial excavation, public inconvenience and the extensive costs of conventional rehabilitation.
On a separate project, a client needed to repair a failed 150mm diameter sewer that was 46 m long and had five house branches within 1 m of the existing properties, with this proximity a particular issue. Conventional rehabilitation would have caused major issues to the adjoining properties as well as taking an estimated eight days to complete.
Instead, RBM installed a performance liner for the 46 m reticulation line and rehabilitated the branches, completing the works within 48 hours with minimal disturbance to the adjoining houses and customers.
Mr Roberts says the RBM Solution is a “cost-effective solution in a sensitive environment resulting in a quality liner installed with many years of trouble-free life.”
This article was featured in the September 2020 edition of Trenchless Australasia. To view the magazine on your PC, Mac, tablet or mobile device, click here.
For more information visit the RBM website.
If you have news you would like featured in Trenchless Australasia contact Assistant Editor Sophie Venz at svenz@gs-press.com.au