Hanson Pressure Pipe Enhances Manufacturing Capabilities at Palatka, Fla., Plant

Hanson Pressure Pipe has expanded the manufacturing capabilities at its Palatka, Fla., plant, enabling increased production of larger-diameter, longer-laying lengths of B-303 Bar-Wrapped Concrete Cylinder Pipe (B-303). The first B-303 installation project since the enhancement is taking place in Portsmouth, Va., utilizing 36 in. diameter, 32 ft-long pipes.

The plant was originally constructed in 1980 to supply 192 in. outfall pipe for Florida Power & Light’s nuclear power-generating plant. It was expanded from 1982 to 1987 to produce smaller-diameter pressure pipe and again in 2004 to add B-303 at 24 to 48 in. in diameter and 20 ft lengths. Today, the Palatka plant is able to produce B-303 up to 60 in. diameters and 40 ft lengths.

“The expansion in Florida has been seamless; it not only gives us another production line, but expands our market potential with a product we’ve been making for several years in other parts of the U.S.,” said Charlie McAuley, vice president of operations for Hanson Pressure Pipe.

B-303 is the stiffest and strongest of the commonly used flexible water pipes, offering the tensile strength of steel and the corrosion protection properties of concrete. It is a durable, semi-rigid pressure pipe designed to withstand internal pressure and external loads simultaneously. It will deflect slightly from external loads and obtain some supporting strength from the lateral pressure of the soil backfill.

The City of Norfolk, Va., is currently installing 4,100 ft of 36 in. diameter B-303 for The Cage Pipe Replacement Project, Phase One at 5000 W. Norfolk Rd. in Portsmouth. Hanson’s bar-wrapped pipe is replacing vintage concrete pipe from the 1920s supporting a raw water main.

“We had the choice of bar-wrapped concrete pipe and ductile iron pipe for the replacement project,” said Keith Hill, project manager for MEB General Contractors Inc. “We chose Hanson’s bar-wrapped concrete pipe – we are using 32-ft lengths and it’s easy to work with and simple to install.”

Hanson Pressure Pipe began manufacturing B-303 in 1947 and has supplied more than 30 million feet (5,700 miles) throughout the U.S. It is best used for water transmission, distribution and sewer force mains, reclaimed water, gravity sewer, treatment plant and industrial process lines as well as principal spillways for dams. 

Source: Hanson Pressure Pipe