Here, Nikolajs Arhipovs, Senior Engineer at Mabey Hire explores the importance of a rapid and collaborative emergency response plan when it comes to repairing our country’s water infrastructure.
Within the UK’s utility sector, aging water infrastructure is a known and recognised challenge. In fact, around three million litres of water are lost from leaking pipes every day – the equivalent of 1,182 Olympic size swimming pools¹. Burst pipes are another issue facing the sector, with the potential to cause immense disruption – not just the loss of a valuable natural resource and the affected water supply but also any road closures from the subsequent repairs and damage from the flooding water. Of course, as soon as there is a problem of this nature, the clock starts ticking, with consumers able to apply for compensation if their water supply is disrupted for an extended period of time.
It therefore goes without saying that repairing damaged pipes quickly and efficiently is vital. A crucial element of this can be the implementation of a rapid, effective and collaborative temporary works support scheme.
The process and actions that utility companies take will of course differ depending on the scale of the emergency faced. For the smaller projects, many water companies will already have lightweight shoring equipment to hand, such as trench boxes or trench sheets, enabling them to react immediately. To aid this fast response, it’s important that the shoring equipment is both lightweight and easy to handle, able to be transported and stored in an easily accessible location (such as the back of a van) ready for when it is needed.
For the larger emergency projects, whereby a burst water main could be causing significant damage and disruption, utility providers will often call upon a temporary works provider and its emergency response team. Whatever the time of day or night, the temporary works supplier will work to engineer and provide the required groundworks support equipment and get it out to site as soon as possible, enabling the safe excavation to reach and repair the damaged water main.
Either way, it is clear that flexibility is key – with miles and miles of services under our feet, whether that be electricity and telecoms cables or water and gas pipes, it’s no surprise that adopting a ‘one size fits all’ approach isn’t always effective. While smaller excavation projects may (overall) be similar, every trench will be different – from the ground conditions, to the size of the trench, to the number of services present.
Here, modular equipment can be important, enabling contractors to quickly adapt to the site conditions. Consider, for example, the value of a system that can be used to create a two, three or even four-sided trench shield, with the ability to remove panels to allow existing services to pass through, all with the same single piece of kit. Or using lightweight trench sheets with aluminium walers or frames for more complex excavations with a heavy presence of services.
As well as the physical temporary support equipment, there are also other factors to consider, particularly with regards any noise disruption to local residents (in the case of the excavation being located in a residential or built-up location) or access challenges, with a large portion of water mains pipework found in rural countryside areas. Here again, working with a temporary works specialist with capabilities in all areas can make the response faster and more efficient, with all solutions available from once source.
With any disruption to the country’s water supply treated as a priority, timing is understandably critical on emergency response projects within the utility sector. That said, getting the job done safely is even more important. Working below ground can present the same level of risk as working above ground at height, with trench collapses a very real danger. As a result, maintaining safety at all times is vital, with temporary works having an important role to play – not only are they an enabler of the repair works but also an integral safety solution.
Another challenge faced on emergency utility projects can be the lack of information. In usual circumstances, engineers will rely on geotechnical surveys or borehole logs to provide them with information on the ground conditions before a temporary works scheme is designed. In an emergency situation, such as a burst water main, time is of the essence, with teams often relying instead on their depth of experience and educated assumptions.
It is for all of these reasons that working with an experienced temporary works specialist can be invaluable, seeking advice on the best course of action and helping you to deliver a temporary works plan speedily and safely. Coordination is also key, with numerous teams to call into action at a moment’s notice, potentially even in the middle of the night. Having a collaborative and effective relationship with a temporary works specialist is an essential part of successfully adopting and delivering an emergency works response.
With skilled and experienced teams at 17 depots across the country, you can rely on us to provide you with the support and equipment you need in an emergency, fast.
¹ Water UK
