Page 42 - Gi flipbook_May 2019

igem news

INDUSTRIAL AFFILIATES STEVE VICK SUPPLIES
CUTTERS FOR UGANDAN
NATIONAL GRID STARTS WATER PROJECT

WORK ON DISMANTLING

MANCHESTER GAS HOLDERS

THE PROJECT IS RAISING THE
STANDARD OF LIVING FOR
THE PEOPLE OF KAMPALA
STEVE VICK INTERNATIONAL (SVI)
has exported three N600 keel cutters
to Uganda to carry out work on a
large, high profile project designed
to improve the living conditions of
the residents of Kampala.
Safety was a high priority for the
project, which aims to provide a
safe and reliable water supply and
improved sanitation to the area
until 2040.
Contractors chose Steve Vick’s
keel cutters, which automatically
track around the main, as a safer
method of circumferentially cutting
and bevelling ductile water pipes
when compared with traditional
tools, such as handheld grinders
and saws.
The machines are powered by a
hydraulic power pack allowing the
blade to track automatically around
the circumference of the pipe wall
at a cutting speed of approximately
140mm per minute.
Andy Hutchison, Technical
Support Engineer for Steve Vick
International, travelled to Uganda to
deliver the training to three teams,
made up of nine operators and
three foremen.
He said: “The feedback was positive
NATIONAL GRID is starting work to holders will then be dismantled. and the teams were impressed with
dismantle two unused gasholders and The site will remain securely fenced the keel cutters. They particularly
storage tanks on its Common Lane site at all times with full CCTV coverage. liked how the cutters could cut and
in Partington, Greater Manchester. The work will be strictly controlled to bevel at the same time and that
The site will be cleared as part of minimise any potential disturbance for they are lightweight, easy to set up
National Grid’s on-going nationwide people who live and work close by. and operate.”
gasholder dismantling programme. Chris Taylor, Land Regeneration The whole programme is set to last
Gasholders are no longer required Manager for National Grid, said: “We for two years, finishing in 2020.
due to investments made to improve will remove the gasholders as safely,
the national network, meaning gas quickly and efficiently as possible to
can be stored in the pipe system or minimise the impact on local people
underground. Work is expected to be and the environment.
complete by the end of the year. “We have written to people who
Erith, specialist contractors live and work in the local community
appointed by National Grid, will first to explain what we will be doing. If
remove and treat any water from the anyone has any questions about the
gasholders, before removing the sludge project they can contact our community THE SVI KEEL CUTTER AT WORK
and any other debris from the base. The relations team on 0800 8199 071.”

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IGEMNews_IndustrialAffliates.indd 1 16/04/2019 18:55