Heading into its 25th year of operation, kwik-ZIP has had plenty to celebrate in recent months, with the WA-based company receiving some esteemed endorsements.
In August last year, kwik-ZIP’s HD series was successfully appraised against the Water Services Association of Australia’s (WSAA) product specification for casing spacers (WSA PS-324).
WSA PS-324 covers casing spacers used to facilitate the insertion and protection of carrier pipes when installed inside encasement pipes (casings).
Meeting this rigorous standard means that kwik-ZIP’s HD series meets specification requirements and quality assurances needed by the utilities the market.
While the entire kwik-ZIP spacer range is designed to meet WSA PS-324, the HD range is the third series of kwik-ZIP products formally certified as compliant with WSA PS-324, along with the HDX and HDXT.
The HD, HDX and HDXT series spacers have no metal parts and are made from kwik-ZIP’s engineered thermoplastic blend with high flexural strength, high temperature resistance, low co-efficient of friction, abrasion resistance and outstanding chemical resistance.
In other words, kwik-ZIP is delivering highly durable spacers, backed by a WSA PS-324 certification. Fortunately, high quality does not have to mean complex.
Installation of kwik-ZIP spacers is simple and efficient, without the requirement of any special tools or setup equipment, nor is there any requirement to pre-wrap pipe.
The HDXR-103 spacers were used late last year, when contracting company Jonishan utilised kwik-ZIP HDXT-103 spacers to facilitate the slip-lining of a 914mm Sintakote® mild steel cement lined carrier pipe into a 1200mm reinforced concrete jacking pipe casing.
The work was conducted for the Upper South Creek treated water main.
This installation was part of the larger Upper South Creek (USC) project, which was implemented to improve environmental flows by transferring treated water from the new advanced water recycling centre (AWRC) to local waterways.
The AWRC and USC project are Sydney Water’s largest infrastructure investment in Western Sydney.
Whilst this installation was fully grouted, the HDXT spacers adequately supported the pipe and water for the life of the installation.
kwik-ZIP HDXT-103 spacers were installed to facilitate the slip-lining of a mild steel cement mortar lined (MSCL) wastewater pressure main into a RC Jacking pipe, running under a rail line for the Gosnells Main Pumping Station Wastewater Pressure Main Realignment project, which was run by utilities infrastructure experts Rob Carr.
Rob Carr Project Manager Marie Piette was thoroughly impressed with kwik-ZIP and its innovative spacers.
“The MSCL pipes insertion is making good progress despite a challenging environment, with production efficiency notably enhanced by the simplicity of installation of the kwik-ZIP spacers,” she said.
Pezzimenti Trenchless were also among those praising kwik-ZIP’s products.
In one project instance, kwik-ZIP HDX-90 spacers were installed to facilitate the slip-lining of an 813mm cement lined steel water main into a steel encasing pipe by Pezzimenti Trenchless.
“Whether the carrier pipe is plastic, GRP or heavy weight steel, kwik-ZIP has a spacer to do the job,” Managing Director Joe Pezzimenti said.
“Their technical support and excellent customer service make using kwik-ZIP spacers an easy decision.”
Aside from spacer developments, the kwik-ZIP team have settled nicely into their new head office location in Bayswater.
The move was made to ensure the business is strategically positioned to service its customers.
The move has enabled kwik-ZIP to service WA clients more efficiently, while also allowing for increased inventory to be held on the west coast of Australia.
Existing or prospective customers are “always welcome to drop in and say hello at kwik-ZIP’s new facility,” wik-ZIP General Manager Paul Jeffreys said.
As well as seeing its products involved on projects in Australia and around the globe, kwik-ZIP also showcased its range at a number of events in 2024.
In Australia, the company exhibited its products at OzWater24 in Melbourne, followed up with a booth at the Australian Drilling Industry Association showcase in Perth.
As a Water Industry Operations Association (WIOA) member, kwik-ZIP also exhibited at the 2024 WIOA of Australia conference in both Bendigo and Tamworth, getting the chance to be in front of the water industry.
kwik-ZIP also exhibited at the 2024 No-Dig Live, which took place in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, UK from 1–3 October.
For more information, visit kwikzip.com
This article was featured in the February edition of Trenchless Australasia.
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