kwik-ZIP is confident that if contractors choose its products, it not only provides them with the confidence they are using a quality spacer on their projects, but a proven product for the spacer requirements.
As part of the Fitzroy to Gladstone Pipeline project, regular kwik-ZIP customers GCE Contractors utilised kwik-ZIP HDX-90 spacers to facilitate the sliplining of a 1067mm OD SINTAKOTE® MSCL carrier pipe into a 1290mm ID RCJP casing over four crossings under the Capricorn Highway.
According to GCE Contractors tunnelling operations manager Jesse Hooper, opting for kwik-ZIP spacers on this project was the right choice.
“The HDX 90 really proved itself in this situation under heavy scrutiny,” he said.
The HDX’s unique load sharing design maximises the load bearing capacity of each runner and reduces point loading.
The simple and efficient installation process does not require any special tools or steps.
The fusion-bonded coating on SINTAKOTE pipes is crucial for corrosion prevention and must stay undamaged to work effectively.
kwik-ZIP spacers not only provided protection but also feature integrated rubber grip pads, preventing slippage and preserving the coating’s integrity.
Like all of its products, the HDX/HDXT spacer system series are aligned with the kwik-ZIP’s ethos to provide simple, cost-effective, and high-quality solutions.
While not used on this project, one product in the kwik-ZIP HDXT range – the HDXT-58W – can accommodate Kwik-ROLLER wheels. These clip-on wheels are ideal for use in longer runs to minimise wear and to provide significantly reduced co-efficient of friction.
kwik-ZIP spacers have no metal parts and are made from kwik-ZIP’s engineered thermoplastic blend that is flexible, extremely tough and has a low co-efficient of friction.
The company’s large range of spacers caters for a wide range of carrier/casing pipe size combinations as well as providing flexibility to deal with project alterations.
In Australia, kwik-ZIP’s HDXT and HDX Series spacers have been successfully appraised by the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) against the requirements of WSAA product specification number PS-324 (casing spacers).
The WSA PS-324 product specification prescribes casings spacer requirements for correct protection of carrier pipes when installed inside casings.
The segmented design of kwik-ZIP products ensures that they are securely fastened to the carrier pipe and don’t run the risk of being knocked off the pipe, which is an issue for other similar products where each runner is individually attached to the pipe.
When this occurs, the carrier pipe can be damaged if it comes into contact with the casing pipe where the individual runners of other similar products have been knocked off.
kwik-ZIP manufactures and supplies a range of products suited to a wide range of industry sectors including production well drilling, trenchless pipelines, horizontal directional drilling, ground engineering and the general civil and construction markets.
For more information, visit kwik-ZIP’s website.
This article featured in the June edition of Trenchless Australasia.
Subscribe to Trenchless Australasia for the latest project and industry news.