Product Versatility
The two projects included several different diameters, stiffness classes, pressure classes and installation types. The first project, Riverdale Wastewater Pumping System, was constructed by B.R.S. Inc., of Rickfield, N.C. This direct bury project included over 2,200 ft. of 36, 48 and 66 in. gravity pipe and 6,500 ft. of 36 in. 100 psi force main with 36, 46 and 72 psi pipe stiffnesses as required by differing cover depths. HOBAS also supplied several different fitting combinations including reducers, lateral wyes, elbows, flanges and nozzles. Also constructed were several 66" x 48" eccentric, tangential T-base manholes with small platforms in the risers, near the crown elevation of the 66" line to serve as a safe foot hold, out of the sewage flow, for maintenance or inspection personnel. All of the pipes and fittings were field connected with gasket-sealed HOBAS FWC couplings.

Quality Commitment
The contractor's staff was thoroughly impressed with the pipe and, in particular, the large diameter fittings including a 66" x 66" wye and several reducers which were supplied to the job. Representatives for the contractor stated that they preferred HOBAS over products they had used in the past because it was so easy to install. The contractor noted that the lightweight material and gasket-sealed coupling joints made it easy to handle and join even in the larger diameters. HOBAS pipes provided many advantages, indirectly saving the contractor money, by producing zero leak performance on the first test, thereby eliminating reinstallation, repairs and retesting which would have been required with a less reliable material. The contractor also noted one of the most important benefits resulted from the extensive quality control program which is ongoing at the Houston facility. This assured the consistent quality enjoyed by B.R.S. Each and every pipe is completely checked and individually signed off by one of the inspection technicians prior to leaving the HOBAS facility. The contractor, who had never installed the pipe before, was so pleased with the dependability and ease of installation of the HOBAS pipes, joints, and fittings that B.R.S. field personnel say they can not wait to use it again on another project.

Demanding Conditions
HOBAS pipes were also able to meet the elevated temperatures existing on another City of High Pint project, The Aeration System Improvements for the Eastside Wastewater Treatment Plant. This contract included over 1,300 ft. of 24 in. diameter HOBAS pipe installed by direct bury and above ground to serve as an aeration line. HOBAS was able to accommodate the operating conditions (temperatures of 150 degrees F) by manufacturing the glass-fiber reinforced pipe with a combination of polyester and vinyl ester resins.

Long Aerial Span
Dellinger, the installation contractor for the aeration pipe, said that the installation was trouble-free, especially the aerial portion which required great attention to detail from a design, construction, and fabrication coordination standpoint. The aerial line included several fittings including a 24" double 90 degree S-fitting and a 30' long aerial section with two elbows which was elevated to span over existing buried utilities. The abundance of utilities made excavation in this area nearly impossible and even the pier placement was critical. Therefore, the long spans which could be achieved with the high strength yet lightweight HOBAS pipe were an ideal solution.

Zero Leak
With the installation of the Eastside WWTP and the Riverdale Road projects complete all parties involved are pleased with the results. The specifications for the pressure line portion of the project required a 100 psi pressure test for a 3-hour duration to ensure the integrity of the system. Ultimately, however, the force main was pressure-tested at 170 psi max for 6 hours with no pressure loss. The performance proven commitment to quality by HOBAS production and quality control personnel make this leak free test a common occurrence. With these successful projects completed, the City of High Point is now planning an 8,000 ft. 66" diameter extension to the interceptor, again with HOBAS pipes, and the design engineer is also considering HOBAS for future projects.