refurbishment of the Queensway Mersey Tunnel, 70 years after the

company installed the original fire main in 1934.

The four-inch fire main pipeline provides water to numerous fire

hydrant stations along the entire length of the 2.13 mile tunnel and

although many of the original joints and pipe sections have been

replaced over the years, some of the originals are still in place.

The new grooved pipe jointing system, which involves the supply

of three metre, six metre and 12 metre steel pipes ready grooved to

accept Victaulic Style 75 joints, was specified as it involves no

welding or hot works which are unacceptable in a tunnel

environment. The jointing system is also able to cater for curvature

of the tunnel and pipe thermal movement due to fluctuations in

temperature.

As all work is to be carried out at night, speed of installation is

critical. Victaulic's Andy Carter explained: "The pipework will be

supplied pre-grooved and painted with a 'Copon' protective coating.

This will maximise the limited time available for fitting on site".

The new Victaulic fire main system will be supplied through

distributors Ashworth Radcliffe and installed by Nordot Engineering

Services.

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