After pipe rehabilitation project was complete, Virginia Regorrah, Area Engineer for the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) said, “During the course of a difficult negotiation, they (TMI Coatings) were very forthcoming with information and data needed to reach an agreement. Their commitment to safety, warranty response, and the quality of workmanship demonstrate why I would recommend them for similar work.”
The USACE contracted TMI Coatings, Inc. (TMI) to complete a pipe rehabilitation project, consisting of restoring and installing coatings on the interior metal liner of their 700-foot-long underground tunnel. Our skilled craftsmen had to complete this job in the frigid polar vortex; however, the temperatures during this project turned out to be much less of an issue than what was to come.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the reservoir level increased rapidly and breached the main entryway of the tunnel. Overnight, water rushed through the conduit into TMI’s work zone and flushed away all our platforms, piping, and scaffolding. Fortunately, no one was injured. Our crew retrieved our equipment and reinstalled all piping and scaffold.
Procedure:
- Due to the site’s classification as a confined space, TMI took the following safety precautions:
- Set up forced air ventilation.
- Placed heat ducting and temporary construction heat to always keep temperatures above 35°F.
- Took periodic air quality readings and documented for the Corps review.
- Full time confined space personnel
- Abrasive-blasted pipe interior surfaces to SSPC-SP5 White Metal Blast Cleaning.
- Applied a new vinyl coating system with a total of four coats of paint.
- Restored the watertight seal of the liner seam with an injectable joint sealant after recoating the steel liner.
- Adjusted all grout placements to ensure a flush surface.
Outcome:
Despite many challenges during this project, TMI Coatings delivered full restoration and a durable new vinyl coating system to the interior metal liner of the 700-foot-long pipe in the underground tunnel. TMI took extensive measures to ensure the safety of this project. This started with precautions due to the confined space environment and continued with our reinstallation of piping and scaffolding even after a full wipe-out of our material from a sudden rise in the reservoir level. The new coating will provide corrosion protection for years to come.
With 35 years of experience, TMI Coatings will have your project completed on time and within budget. Contact us today at 651-452-6100 for your free, no obligation quote.
