Certificate presentations at IWEX 2001
WRc was pleased to present certificates to five European
companies during the IWEX show.
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 The
first ever 'WRc Approved' certificate was awarded in
1996 to Bodycote Metallurgical Coatings Ltd (formerly
Zinc Alloy Ltd). Bodycote were party to the drafting
of the Water Industry Specification for anti-corrosion
coatings on threaded fasteners (WIS 4-52-03). The specification
was drafted by WRc in response to a potential problem
that had been highlighted by water industry engineers
- that specifications were available for the performance
of fittings and coatings on fittings, but not for the
threaded components used with those fittings.
Bodycote applies the 'SHERAPLEX WIS' coating for use
in a range of water industry applications and following
the development of the specification sought WRc recognition
of their testing to the WIS. They were awarded the very
first WRc Approved certificate (PT/01/0696). During
the summer of 2001, the product was re-assessed in accordance
with the Specification and certificate PT/150/1001 was
presented at the show.
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 Future
Pipe Industries of the Netherlands have introduced
a range of GRP pipes to the UK following the approval
of their products in sizes between 300mm and 1600mm.
WRc evaluated the product against the requirements of
BS 5480. In addition, more stringent impact testing
was carried out to meet current UK Water Industry requirements.
The 'WRc Approved' scheme offers an independent, fitness
for purpose assessment covering all aspects of the product's
use. A key feature of most approvals will be an audit
of all procedures for installation and an on-site inspection.
WRc witnessed the installation of the 'Wavistrong: Fibrestrong
series' GRP pipes in The Hague, NL. WRc Utilities Director,
Mark Smith, presented certificate PT/141/0701 to David
Mullard at the show.
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 Raufoss
Couplings UK and Redman Fittings Ltd both launched new
fittings at the show. The polyethylene coupling, offered
by Raufoss Couplings UK, was developed in the Netherlands
by H.A. Prince Kunststoffbauw. The evaluation of this
product was a truly Europe-wide project with testing witnessed
by WRc in the Netherlands and at the headquarters of Raufoss
Water & Gas in Norway and on-site auditing carried
out in the UK. |
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 The
novel fitting offered by Redman Fittings Ltd was
a finalist in the IWEX Innovations award. WRc have helped
Redman throughout the development of the product and testing
was carried out at WRc-NSF's evaluation and testing centre
in South Wales. The total confidentiality in which these
assessments are carried out meant that neither manufacturer
was aware of ongoing work in a similar product area. |
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 The
fifth certificate was awarded to German company, The
Funke Group, for their time-saving Fabuken junction
for the connection of laterals to concrete sewers. The
product is sold in the UK by subsidiary, K S Profiles
and representatives of both companies were at the show
to receive the certificate (PT/145/0901) from WRc Utilities
Director, Ian Walker.
The aim of the assessment was to ensure that the Junction
would give satisfactory performance in service. The
tests were undertaken using a concrete sewer pipe, which
is the most common material, used in the UK in this
size range. WRc witnessed type testing and on-site application
of the product in Germany and the UK.
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