Maintenance shafts are the modern alternative to concrete manholes, offering rapid installation in keeping with modern plastic (PVC) pipeline construction processes.

Where possible, these maintenance shafts are used as they remove the need for people to go down confined and potentially hazardous spaces to inspect blocked drains and sewers. Technology has come a long way in the last decade and we now take for granted that contractors use specialised cameras on the end of cables to inspect shafts before employing high powered jet hoses to unblock clogged systems.

While there is still a place for manhole shafts, they’re not as widespread as they once were.

We caught up with two manufacturers of polypropylene maintenance shafts to find out where their products are being installed and the benefits they provide over traditional applications and installations.

AYMROO MAINTENANCE SHAFTS
Population growth in Australia is inevitable and according to many sources a nation of 30 million people is fast becoming a reality. Importantly, this growth journey will need to address a much higher demand for housing and infrastructure right around the country.

In Queensland, part of the Government’s development plans for the state’s southeast region is to facilitate the building of another 754,000 dwellings before 2031. This means a considerable amount of developmental project planning will be a fact of life for some time to come.

These new initiatives have provided great opportunities for manufacturers and service providers to work in conjunction with construction companies who have been successful in winning development contracts in this region.

One such company is NSW based PVC maintenance shaft manufacturer Aymroo, which was recommended by a local branch of Reece Civil to award winning Queensland construction company Hall Contracting Pty Ltd.

The project presented challenges in manufacturing non-standard, bespoke, maintenance shaft junctions as some of the fittings needed for the sewerage systems installation were much more complex in design than would normally be expected; and not available off the supplier’s shelf.

Aymroo is a leading specialist in the provision of PVC maintenance shafts and a supplier of a wide selection of standard civil PVC water management system fittings. The company also comes with a reputation in the fabrication of non-standard, one off, junction fittings that comply with the appropriate civil engineering standards.

Hall Contracting has five key residential development sites along the Sunshine Coast focussing on the installation of sewer systems. One of these new sites is known as Cutter’s Ridge and located in Bli Bli where they are responsible for 54 lots.

According to Hall’s Site Manager, Peter Phillips, technological progress has meant modern PVC inspection shafts are playing an increasing role in the construction of residential sewer systems. He believes they are more robust, more economical, and much safer by reducing the need for manholes and systems made from inferior materials such as fibreglass.

“We were very pleased with the way Aymroo worked with us on this project, particularly as they fabricated the most recent order of 20 maintenance shafts on time and to the specification required. The company’s staff met a standard of service which, in our business, is unusual in my experience.”

Aymroo R&D Manager, Joel Leaves said, “Once we received the drawings from Hall Constructions we went to work straight away. We were also required to schedule the supply of the maintenance shafts along with a number of very complex junction designs which needed to be specially fabricated. The job was completed and delivered to the site right on time.”

Alan Morgan or Aymroo explains that a lot of the maintenance shaft junctions can be fairly complex depending on where they need to be directed.

“They have to be hand fabricated and welded and put together in the configuration that is required. In many cases most of the junctions are standard but it all depends on what the civil engineers require. They all give you 24 hours notice, if you’re lucky, to come up with the goods so time is of the essence on these construction sites. Once you get the water management infrastructure right it’s all go from there. Nobody can start building anything else until the water maintenance is set up,” Alan says.

“The contractors need to install the systems in the trenches but the civil engineers dictate what they look like. Part of our service is being able to work closely and assist the contractors to make things happen.

Alan suggests that PVC is a particularly temperamental material but it’s the best material to make these things out of because of its strength and durability.

“They need to be able to do the job for a couple of generations at least so it is a concern that cheaper overseas knock-offs from Asia, that use inferior materials, are creeping into the market.”

Leaves says Aymroo’s reputation hinges on meeting the high standards expected by civil engineers and ensuring the quality and the durability of storm water and sewerage systems. He believes they naturally expect to be confident that the whole sewerage infrastructure works effectively for generations to come. Getting it wrong can be a costly public works exercise.

“Since Aymroo’s inception 20 years ago, we’ve developed a deep understanding of the standards of design expected in the civil development industry and being focussed on providing the right product and meeting the tight schedules our customers need to meet,” he said.

The maintenance shafts are manufactured to the requirements of WSA137 Maintenance Shafts And Maintenance Chambers For Sewerage. They have also been appraised by the Water Services Association of Australia and are recommended as an alternative to manholes by its members and associates.

All major water boards have approved the system and the quality is guaranteed with SAI Global Standards Mark – SMK40084.”

SEWER MAINTENANCE SHAFT
SMS (Sewer Maintenance Shaft) Pty Ltd was established in 2003 to supply innovative and specialised fittings to the water industry. The SMS maintenance shaft range was developed as an alternative to concrete sewer manholes by providing a safer and more cost effective solution for both installers and maintenance personnel.

“The SMS maintenance shafts have been available in Australia since 2004 and have been widely installed in Europe for the past 20 years,” Kevin Kitchen, General Manager of Sewer Maintenance Shaft says.

The SMS range of Maintenance Shafts are manufactured in Germany by BT Bautechnik Impex under ISO 9001 Quality Management conditions and product certified for compliance with European Standards that are equivalent to Australian Standards.

“The maintenance shaft was never designed to replace full-sized concrete manholes that accommodate a person, but are placed to extend the distance between manholes while continuing to provide access for remote controlled CCTV devices, jetters and cutting tools.”

While traditional concrete manholes take days to install, the SMS maintenance shafts can be operational in less than two hours, at approximately 25% of the cost of installing a concrete manhole.

SMS maintenance shafts have been used successfully in major projects throughout Australia for the past 11 years and can be found in new residential and industrial developments, in sewer backlog works, mining camp installations, nursing homes, hospitals, prisons, schools, public buildings and high density developments.

The SMS polypropylene injection moulded base units in sizes 300 x 150 straight (90°) with either 225 or 300 riser and the 3 way inlet (junction) 300 x 150 with either 300 or 225 riser have WaterMark Certification authorising installation in ‘plumbing works’ throughout Australia.

“Currently there is only one 600mm pit in plastic available at the moment but we are in the final stages of developing and testing a 600mm plastic maintenance chamber. We are hoping to have it available on the market by February 2015.

The SMS range of maintenance shafts is approved with most water authorities throughout Australia and are appraised and compliant with WSA 137-2013.

SMS also stock a full range of SN8 rated injection moulded PVC-U fittings, covers, caps, various bends and accessories to fully complement the base units.

SMS is a Quality Accredited Company in accordance with ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems and provide personalised customer service with 24 hour technical and ‘in field’ support.

The products can be sourced direct from SMS or throughout Australia through their major distributor Reece and other leading plumbing merchants.

When it comes to the topic of sustaining a healthy and productive nation above ground, it’s easy to forget about what happens underneath; however, to a large degree, the standard of water management systems installed below the surface plays a major role. For that reason alone, the move away from concrete to polypropylene appears positive.