Monica de la Cruz
Papers # 2014 Chicago
Always important, but especially relevant in these times of cost cuttings, is to be aware of and to take into account all costs related to our activity. This paper discloses the contribution of the plastic pipes installation quality in the cost savings for our industry and customers. Generally, our clients only consider the initial cost of pipeline’s products or elements, without considering that those products are part of a network expected to have a long service lifetime which can only be achieved by a correct installation of the elements. A deficient installation may contribute to the appearance of breakages, as well as infiltrations and leaks, with the consequent increase of network management costs (water loses, failure detection, repairing costs…). These failures also affect the manufacturer that has to invest time, money and resources to manage the received complaints which in many cases are due to a non-proper installation of the plastic pipes or wrong execution of the jointing procedure. Ten years ago, AseTUB (the Spanish association of plastics pipes and fittings manufacturers) implemented in Spain a training scheme to qualify installers for the correct installation of plastics pipes in water supply, sewage and irrigation systems. The aim of this paper is to present: the AseTUB’s training scheme, the 10-year experience and results, benefits and effects of this qualification and cost savings for water companies and plastic pipes manufacturers
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