For months now NASSCO has been preparing for its annual meeting Feb. 16-19 in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. Besides celebrating NASSCO’s 35th anniversary and sending retiring executive director Irvin Gemora out in style, we will bring together the best minds in the industry to share and discuss new technologies.
As I begin my first year as NASSCO executive director, it is exciting to work with our team of underground industry experts to prepare a valuable, educational experience for members who attend the annual meeting.
At NASSCO we continually take a pulse on the benefits of membership. Time after time, we learn that networking, education, and training are the most important reasons trenchless industry professionals join. The annual meeting provides a potent combination of all three, most notably Technical Day, Feb. 18. To date, our schedule includes a number of important topics, including:
Design of CIPP — A New Approach for the Industry. Ed Kampbell of Jason Consultants will head this discussion, using his experience with ASTM International on developing a new, more accurate pipeline design for CIPP.
PACP — A Primary Ingredient in Development of Geographic Information System Programs. Joan Stone of PipeLogix will share her insight on how the Pipeline Assessment Certification Program is now the basis for many municipalities and pipe utility owners responsible for developing GIS programs to manage their pipeline assets.
Laser Profiling — Calibration and Training Requirements for Consistent, Accurate and Reliable Data Delivery. This program will explain how new construction is evaluated, in some cases, on pass-fail criteria, and how data from laser profiling devices must be accurate enough to avoid unnecessary pipe repair by the contractor.
Resin Systems for CIPP Installations, Improvements and Changes. As the cured-in-place pipe industry grows, new and improved resin systems are being developed for the sewer and water industry. Presenters will give a brief overview of current technology and what improvements and changes may be in store.
Monitoring the CIPP Lining Process Using Underground Sensors. CIPP is a product that is cured after it is installed into an existing pipeline. Monitoring of the curing process has been measured by the use of thermal sensors installed at various access points in the line section. Monitoring the cure on a more frequent interval may be possible and will be discussed by the presenters.
Each topic will include a panel of industry experts who will lend their expertise and answer specific questions from the audience. The forum will be fully educational, and all presenters will leave their sales pitches at the door, along with any comparisons to the competition. The goal is to educate engineers, contractors and municipalities on the newest technologies available and so help support NASSCO’s mission to set industry standards and promote the trenchless industry.
Ted DeBoda is executive director of NASSCO. He can be reached at director@nassco.org. NASSCO is located at 11521 Cronridge Drive, Suite J, Owings Mills, MD 21117.
