In the trenchless industry, kwik-ZIP’s large range of spacers have come to facilitate a variety of carrier and casing pipe size combinations, providing flexibility to deal with project requirements.
In recent years, use of kwik-ZIP’s spacers have expanded internationally, including them being successfully installed on two significant New Zealand projects.
In June 2020, kwik-ZIP was contracted by HEB Construction for spacers to be installed as part of the Waiari trunk watermain project located in Te Puke, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.
kwik-ZIP General Manager Paul Jeffreys said the spacers were installed around the circumference of a 710mm PE pipeline to ensure the newly installed PE pipeline would sit centre while pulling the pipeline through a 1040mm steel jacking pipe.
“By using the kwik-Zip spacers, HEB Construction have avoided any potential damage to the PE pipe on installation and protected against any future damage caused by the steel jacking pipe coming in to contact with the newly installed PE pipeline,” he said.
kwik-ZIP spacers have no metal parts and are made from kwik-ZIP’s engineered thermoplastic blend which is flexible, tough and has a low co-efficient of friction.
HEB Construction selected the kwik-ZIP brand due to the easy and quick installation with the screw lock system.
Jefferys said this was key due to the complexity of working below ground level.
“If the installation was to take longer or was more complex it could have created delays for the drillers pulling the pipeline through the jacking pipe, and therefore caused knock on delays for the project,” he said.
“At either end of the jacking pipe, HEB Construction installed one kwik-ZIP pipe spacer. The spacers were then installed at intervals between each end, to avoid any sagging in the pipeline.”
Following the success of the 2020 installation, HEB Construction used kwik-ZIP spacers again in October 2021 as part of the Te Maunga Outfall pipeline project located in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. Spacers for this project were supplied by kwik-ZIP’s New Zealand distributor Blick Group. Blick service the New Zealand market and are based in Hamilton, with warehouse located in Hamilton, Tauranga, and Christchurch.
Jeffereys said the spacers were installed around the circumference of a 1200mm PE pipeline to ensure the newly installed PE pipeline would sit centre while pulling the pipeline through a 100m-1500mm existing concrete duct under the TEL.
“HEB Construction successfully used the kwik-ZIP on the Waiari Pripeline Project in 2020 due to the easy and quick installation with the screw lock system. This was a key part of the project, and we needed the certainty during installation.”
Jefferys explained that due to site personnel having previous experience using kwik-ZIP, and following the installation guide, it ensured the product was used correctly and efficiently.
kwik-ZIP worked closely with HEB Construction to provide appropriate technical support during both projects.
kwik-ZIP’s HDX/HDXT spacer system series are aligned with the company’s ethos to provide simple, cost-effective, and high-quality solutions. Manufactured and designed to be utilised on and in many types of pipes, including corrugated pipe installations, the HDX/HDXT series are one of the most versatile and adaptable spacers on the market.
The use of kwik-ZIP products helps contractors to comply with the numerous regulations which require casing centralisers or pipe spacers (slippers or spiders), including wastewater and sewerage codes as well as well construction standards.
Since its inception in 2000, kwik-ZIP has been designing centralisers and spacers systems for a wide range of applications across many different industry sectors. Available in various product series (HDXT, HDX, HD, GT, and 155), each series is available with varying bow/runner heights, making these highly flexible products
This article featured in the October edition of Trenchless Australasia.
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