For more than forty years, Pronto Construction, Inc. has delivered general construction services in San Antonio. With customers in the oil and gas, construction, municipal, and commercial sectors, Pronto has garnered a reputation for quality construction services.
With a large but generalized equipment fleet, the Pronto team often looks to partners like United Rentals Pump Solutions to provide specialized, custom-designed solutions to complete large, complex projects.
United Rentals Pump Solutions has long been the leading engineered pump solutions provider to the oil and gas industry. However, United Rentals’ growing pump division is expanding its presence in areas such as municipal bypass. United Rentals is a valued partner in specialized applications due to its wide-ranging experience, creating engineered pump solutions for customers in a variety of industries.
THE MUNICIPAL BYPASS MARKET
Sewer lines operate optimally at around half flow capacity. Once sewer systems reach more than three-quarters capacity, pipe gas pressure builds. Gas buildup escapes through manholes and eats away at weak areas of aging pipe, causing line collapse and failure.
Like many North American towns and cities, San Antonio’s aging sewer infrastructure system is vulnerable to main line failures. Population growth and periods of drought or increased rainfall are factors that lead to San Antonio’s sewage failure risk.
Pronto Construction Inc. is one of the firms the City works with to complete sewer renovation projects.
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PROJECT SCOPE AND SOLUTION DESIGN
Pronto secured the bid from San Antonio Water Systems to provide a sewer main line installation. Located in a busy commercial area, the new sewer line would replace an aging line no longer capable of supporting the growing area infrastructure.
With more than twenty-five years of experience working on San Antonio bypass projects, United Rentals Key Account Manager Greg White spent three years working with Pronto on the project. White says, “Success on this job meant knowing all particular site variables. Staying constantly vigilant of all job factors can often mean the difference between a satisfied customer and losing business.”
The job required a 54-inch sewer line bypass during the installation of the relocated, permanent sewer line that would run under the area and the adjacent Witti Museum. The new sewer line and temporary bypass systems needed to handle 49 million gallons per day of flow.
Limited space and location were main obstacles in designing the bypass pump system. The site was located next to an operating restaurant and a busy thoroughfare parallel to the San Antonio River. An old oak tree with an extensive root system provided an additional obstacle to the bypass system.
EQUIPMENT AND EXECUTION
Eight dBa Silencer Sound Attenuated 18-inch Pumps, thousands of feet of 18-inch HDPE SDR 32.5 and SDR 17 Pipe, and a HDPE Pipe Fusion Machine were mobilized on site at the onset of the job.
Mobilizing large pumps capable of handling the necessary flow capacity in the confined area was a challenge. Suction pits were deemed necessary to overcome this lack of space. Two pits were excavated on either side of the restaurant, which was situated in the middle of the bypass suction area.
Due to the project’s commercial location, sound attenuated pumps were used to comply with sound emission regulations. On site HDPE pipe fusion services allowed for a custom installation that could circumvent the site’s various obstacles.
In addition to comprehensive setup, twenty-four-hour pump watch and system maintenance services ensured bypass would occur without unnecessary downtime.
The new sewer line installation was estimated to take one week, and constant bypass system management ensured that the project stayed on time.
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CUSTOMER FEEDBACK
Pronto President George Garcia said of United Rentals Pump Solutions, “…we are required to entertain quotes from other equipment service companies, and to be honest, United Rentals did not provide the cheapest solution. But, they offered the most comprehensive and best solution.”
With opportunities to work with customers like Pronto Construction, United Rentals Pump Solutions continues to expand its capabilities, providing engineered solutions for bypass and fluid handling projects. ◆
About The Author
Allison Robbins is the marketing specialist for United Rentals and can be reached at adevoe@ur.com. United Rentals specializes in providing custom pump rentals to complete any industrial or commercial pump application, regardless of job complexity, size, or duration. From the planning process to equipment setup and breakdown and everything in between, United Rentals offers comprehensive equipment and service throughout the United States and Canada. For more information, visit www.unitedrentals.com.
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MODERN PUMPING TODAY, December 2015
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