McRobert Contracting Services is an Australian-owned and operated industry leader in the refurbishment of underground assets and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipeline technology. Operating since 1988, this Perth-based company has more than 30 years and nine patents behind it.
MCS has developed a patented method for structurally relining access chambers that have suffered from sulphide corrosion, more commonly known as gas attack or concrete cancer. Using 10 mm rigid PVC sheeting, the chamber walls are prefabricated into sleeves, which can then be lowered directly into the asset.
After installation, the preformed sleeves are secured to the original asset using a minimum 40 mm of high-strength grout. The grout not only secures the lining in place; it also rebuilds the concrete that has been depleted.
The grout then rebuilds the internal concrete surface and ensures that structural integrity is maintained, while the rigid PVC provides corrosion protection to the asset. McRoberts’ refurbishment systems are equivalent to less than 20 per cent of the cost of replacement and carry a minimum 50-year guarantee.
Furthermore, the peak body representing Australian water utilities – the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) – has appraised the use of PVC pressure and non-pressure pipe products as fit for purpose with a life expectancy of more than 100 years.
MCS recently completed a large project in the remote community of Amoonguna in the Northern Territory for client Power and Water Corporation, NT. The company carried out the structural refurbishment relining of 26 access chambers using its patented relining method, with 15 more scheduled for relining this year.
The Amoonguna community sewer reticulation access chambers were around 40 years old, having been installed in 1981. According to Power and Water Corp, McRobert’s method as it was the most viable option to extend the life of the assets up to 50 years, coming in at a third of the cost of new chambers.
These refurbishments were completed in less than six months and have been stamped with the company’s 50-year guarantee.
For more information visit the McRobert Contracting website.