CONTRACTORS’ CORNER SUCCESSFUL TAKE-OFF FOR AIRPORT IRRIGATION INSTALLATION Brisbane irrigation company TIS recently completed the design and installation of a pumping and irrigation system at Brisbane Airport, as part of a new runway development. By anyone’s estimation, the project was a major one that included installing 3800 above-ground sprinklers, more than 100 km of pipework and a 105 L/sec Grundfos pump station. We spoke to Brett Peel, owner of TIS, to find out about the job. IA. What was the background to the job and how long did it take to complete? Brett. Early design of the irrigation works started about twelve months before breaking ground on site. While the lead time was long, it was what would normally be expected for a landmark project of this type. From project award and start of design and offsite fabrication, the project period was just over two years. IA. What equipment was used, particularly during installation? Brett. The project used a dedicated 4 ML irrigation dam next to which we installed a Grundfos MPC variable-speed pump station. As the pumping system was a critical component of the project, it was housed in a 12 m shipping container with the pump set, controls, filtration and metering system all fitted off site and delivered ready to plug and play.
The pumping system was fitted off-site in a shipping container and delivered ready to plug and play.
Once the pump was in place, a 400 mm suction line was connected to the pump station power supply and we were able to provide water to the site within two days. Buttwelded HDPE up to 400 mm was used in our mainline layout with Toro P220 solenoid valves and VYRSA impact sprinklers used throughout the site at the pointy end of the system. IA. What were the key issues that you had to consider when designing the job? Brett. As most of the areas to be irrigated were either seeded or stolonised, it was extremely important that we were able provide reliable irrigation when and where it was needed.
A successful take off for a new runway development at Brisbane Airport that included a significant irrigation installation.
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