InfraMetrix’s BEM Technology Discussed in ENR Magazine

InfraMetrix’s BEM technology is used for a force main condition assessment in Cincinnati, OH. Our new CAP tool, which measures the remaining wall thickness of ferrous (metal) pipelines at air pockets, proves to save Cincinnati MSD time, minimize disruption and save money. ENR Magazine Discusses InfraMetrix BEM Tool.

When managing water and sewer utilities, it’s now time to think outside of the box.

Like the City of Fort Lauderdale (Fort Lauderdale’s water and sewer pipes still bursting despite $570 million system upgrade) many water and sewer utilities across the nation are experiencing expensive pipeline failures that impact public safety and customer confidence. These failures are largely the result of aging infrastructure; however, targeting inspection and capital improvement dollars solely based on the age and material of the buried assets will not improve the performance of the networks. In fact, the condition of the assets will continue to deteriorate and eventually the cost of addressing failures will be unaffordable.

The 21st century has seen great advancements in inspection and repair/rehabilitation technologies. Computer hardware and software has also improved the ability to perform condition assessments, analyze deterioration over time and storage large volumes of data and videos. The time has now come to manage these assets differently.

To optimally manage water and sewer assets, Asset Managers must have a better understanding of the condition and risk of failure of each asset. The goal of an Asset Manager is to maintain a targeted level of service while respecting the utility’s financial capacity. Achieving this goal is nearly impossible if the utility’s inventory and condition data is incomplete. To maximize the benefits of capital improvements, it is imperative to have a thorough understanding of how individual assets will deteriorate over time. Spending money too soon repairing an asset deprives an asset in greater need the funds necessary to prevent a failure. To the contrary, delaying capital improvements too long increases the probability of failure and the consequences associated with failing infrastructure.

So like any endeavor, it is necessary to establish the performance parameters (level of service, staffing and budget constraints, etc.) at the start of any performance-based asset management program. Next, the Asset Manager must invest in building a comprehensive and complete asset inventory. This inventory will answer the questions:

• What do I own?
• Where are they?
• What condition are they in?
• What are the consequences of failure?
• What is their remaining life?
• What is their value?

A review of the inventory will reveal gaps in information that should become the target of a field program. During the field program, the data contained in the inventory should be confirmed and condition data should be collected. Every piece of condition data provides information that can be used in the future to determine how specific assets deteriorate over time. Now, considering the consequence of failure and the condition of each asset, the risk of failure can be determined and a prioritization of maintenance and capital projects can be made. As I stated earlier, the Asset Manager is responsible for maintaining a level of service that is affordable to his customers. He must now develop an implementation plan that achieves this goal. By incorporating financial analysis and risk management into the decision process, the Asset Manager is able to develop an linkage between targeted level of service, risk and financial capability.

Feel free to send me your thoughts? As an industry it is time to think outside of the box. We don’t have the time or funds to manage our assets the way we have in the past.

Broadband Electromagnetic (BEM) Inspection of 36-inch Water Main in Anchorage, AK Began Today

An InfraMetrix BEM crew arrived in Anchorage, AK yesterday. Following a kick-off meeting this morning, the crew began the inspection of a 36-inch ductile iron water transmission main to evaluate the remaining wall thickness of the pipeline and evidence of corrosion. The inspection specialists will visually inspect the exterior of the pipeline for signs of graphitization and/or pit corrosion and then collect BEM data to measure the current thickness of the wall of the pipe at 5 sites along the water transmission main.

InfraMetrix will prepare tabular (Excel spreadsheet) and graphical (contour maps) representations of the survey data. Remaining wall thickness of the pipe will be evaluated and delievered to the City along with annotations on the location of graphitization, if identified. Combined with the visual inspection, this data will identify if the loss of wall is due to internal or external corrosion.

InfraMetrix to perform a Broadband Electormagnetic Inspection of a 36-inch water main in Anchorage, AK.

InfraMetrix will perform an external broadband electro-magnetic (BEM) inspection of a 36-inch ductile iron water transmission main in Achorage AK to evaluate the remaining wall thickness of the pipeline. This work will begin on October 3, 2011.

InfraMetrix will visually inspect the pipe exterior surface for signs of graphitization and/or pit corrosion. High resolution digital photographs of the pipe surface will be taken. The BEM raw data will provide some indication of wall loss while the field crew is conducting its BEM scans. The raw data will be transmitted to the InfraMetrix office for final data processing.

InfraMetrix will prepare tabular (Excel spreadsheet) and graphical (contour maps) representations of the survey data. Remaining wall thickness of the pipe will be evaluated and delievered to the City along with annotations on the location of graphitization, if identified. Combined with the visual inspection, this data will identify if the loss of wall is due to internal or external corrosion.

Broadband Electromagnetic (BEM) Inspection of 36-inch Water Main in Portland Oregon

InfraMetrix will inspect the wall thickness of a 36-inch water main in Portland, Oregon this week. The Portland Oregon Water Bureau hired InfraMetrix to determine the wall thickness of a 36-inch steel water pipe using non-intrusive Broadband Electromagnetic (BEM) technology. The inspection will occur from the exterior of the pipe. The field crew will record the estimated pipe wall thickness using Broadband Electromagnetic (BEM) and provide wall thickness data and graphical plots showing the wall thickness contours. The intent of the inspection is to obtain data of sufficient quality and quantity to identify areas of pipe wall material loss due to corrosion.

Photographs will be taken to document the outside condition of the pipe as well as local site conditions. InfraMetrix will provide post processed data and wall thickness plots as the project deliverable.

BEM Brochure: BEM Brochure

Zoom cameras save money and time when troubleshooting and performing condition assessments of sanitary and storm sewer manholes and pipelines.

Zoom Cameras were introduced to North America about 25 years ago. Since that time, the technology has greatly improved. Today, zoom cameras take many forms. Pole cameras offer a quick and easy method for troubleshooting sewer problems. ZOOOOOM! _ Cleaner Magazine _ Jetter, Vactor, Sewer Cleaning Professionals

The truck-mounted cameras like the CUES-IMX camera system (CUES-IMX Truck Mounted Zoom Camera System) offer improved video quality and standardized manhole and pipeline inspections; adding consistency to condition assessment programs.

If you’re looking to save money while assessing the condition of your sewer system, contact us for more information.

InfraMetrix presenting at SESTT Seminar in Miami, FL – Sept. 28 & 29, 2011

If you’re interested in learning more about trenchless technologies, SSES and Buried Asset Management you should register to attend the Southeast Society of Trenchless Technology Seminar at the Hyatt Regency Miami Hotel (Downtown) on September 28th and 29th. Rod Lovett, Miami-Dade Water & Sewer Department, is a Guest Presenter. He will discuss the Miami-Dade Trenchless Sewer Program. Dr. Tom Iseley, IUPUI – Purdue School of Engineering and Technology will provide an Overview of Trenchless Technology and NASTT’s Education Efforts. Our Ron Thompson, InfraMetrix Operations Manager, will discuss a triage approach to effective utility management. One of our strategic partners, Pierre Levesque, Vice President Solutions Modex, Inc., will discuss Applying Risk and Financial Management to Asset Management. Pierre will demonstrate how condition data obtained through a triage program and risk and financial analysis will lead to reliable and sustainable assets, create an optimal long-term master plan, generate major savings and establish a comprehensive relationship between budget and service levels.

Are you dealing with force main or water main failures? If so, you’ll want to listen to Dorian Modjeski, Director Water & Wastewater Cardno TBE. Dorian will discuss a systematic approach to evaluating the condition of wastewater force mains. His presentation is titled, “Condition Assessment of Two Florida Coastal Area Force Mains.” InfraMetrix performed external non-destructive scanning of a number of sites suspected of being impacted by corrosion or abrasion using our Broadband Electromagnetic (BEM) eddy current technology for this project. This presentation is very timely with focus shifting to pressure pipe conditon assessments.

You can register to attend this informative seminar by visitng the SESTT website (www.sestt.org) and by clicking on “Current Seminars”. If you decide to attend please say hi to Ron, Pierre, Dorian and Bill (DiTullio). We’d love to meet you.

NJWEA 2011 Technology Transfer Seminar – InfraMetrix Workshop Agenda

If you’re involved with managing water, wastewater and/or storm water infrastructure, this seminar will be worthwhile. In particular, you will find the workshop on water, wastewater and storm water system mangement and condition assessment valuable. For a copy of the system management and condition assessment workshop agenda click on the InfraMetrix Workshop Agenda.

InfraMetrix was selected to perform a BEM assessment of a 36-inch steel water main in Portland, OR.

Condition assessments of pressure pipelines are becoming more common these days. Broadband Electromagnetic eddy current technology is the technology of choice for advancing the risk assessment and remaining useful life calculations of ferrous (metal) pipelines. The City of Portland OR Water Bureau selected InfraMetrix to conduct a BEM assessment of a 36-inch steel water main. If you’re planning an assessment of ferrous pipe and you’d be interested in a copy of the Portland RFP contact us (info@inframetrix.com).

Manhole and Pipeline Zoom Camera Specifications

I’ve had numerous requests for manhole and pipeline zoom camera inspection specifications. Here are NASSCO’s specs.

Manhole Zoom Camera Inspections Specifications
Pipeline Zoom Camera Inspection Specifications.

If you’d like to see a video of a pipeline zoom camera inspection, check it out for yourself Zoom Camera Pipeline Inspection Video

These insections are typically performed using the CUES-IMX truck mounted zoom camera system. We use the CUES QuickZoom or Envirosight QuickView systems for difficult to access manholes and pipelines.

If you have a project that you’d like to discuss with us or questions about how zoom camera condition assessments can meet your needs contact us through the Contact Us Link above.