Where life interacts with infrastructure.

Rehabilitate Pipes Below Post-Tensioned Slab Without Demolition

Post-tensioning systems for concrete floors is a commonly used construction procedure that increases strength within the concrete. Although beneficial, some construction companies and engineers might think twice before installing this system above known pipe systems, because it is a complex and tedious task to remove post-tensioned slab once it is installed. So what do you do, as a property manager or building engineer, when you experience failing pipes below this structurally-sound, interwoven block of steel and concrete? You can stop worrying and contact Nu Flow. Project: Rehabilitate an underground fire suppression main that is located below post-tensioned slab. Customer: Complete Building Services is one of the leading Washington D.C.-based facilities management and maintenance companies for world-class buildings. Site: Foxhall Condominium is a high-end, 9-story condominium in a park-like setting in Washington D.C. This residential high-rise was constructed in 1971. System: A black iron fire suppression main with an 8" diameter. This main is located outside of the condominium, under a wall, a patio and post-tensioned slab, near the underground parking garage. Problem: The underground fire suppression main cracked due to natural ground shifting. Maintenance tried to perform a traditional repair, but the presence of post-tensioned slab (concrete with tension wires inside to increase its strength) made the pipes inaccessible, so a traditional repipe is therefore not feasible.

Nu Flow rehabilitated a fire suppression main within two days, preventing any destruction and using only one access point.

Circumvention: Demolition of post-tensioned slab is very challenging. If the customer ignored the high risks and chose a traditional pipe replacement as the solution, a large portion of post-tensioned slab would have to be cut open by a jackhammer and the tensions wires would be cut via acetylene torches. This would be a loud and disruptive procedure, and it would result in the loss of structural integrity for the nearby post-tensioned concrete walkway. Next, the de-tensioned wires would have to be pre-stressed and grouted. Then, the broken piece of pipe would be replaced and either post-tensioned slab or plain concrete would be placed over the work area. This would be several weeks of work to fix one crack in the failing main, which will inevitably suffer from other failures in the future, due to its age. Solution: Nu Flow provided the customer with the easiest, lest expensive and least disruptive solution. The project only took two days and resulted in no destruction to the area. Just one access point was utilized to clean and line the underground main. After the pipe was cleaned using compressed air to push an abrasive agent through the pipes, the Nu Flow technicians soaked our structural liner with our red epoxy that is used to coat failing pressurized pipe systems. Next, the technicians used a push rod to push the liner through the main and put it in place. Then, the internal bladder inflated, to push the epoxy-soaked structural liner to the internal diameter of the pipe. This liner cured to form a protective barrier coating throughout the fire suppression main, which will prevent future cracks, pinhole leaks, MIC build-up and other common failures with these systems. During the projects 48 hours, the condominium had security on 24-hour fire watch to ensure optimum safety of residents. No matter what is above the pipes, Nu Flow can use a single access point to rehabilitate the pipes without destruction.

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North America: 1-800-834-9597 | International: 1-905-433-5510 info@nuflowtech.com | www.nuflowtech.com