Published June 2007

Long-Range Plan Takes Shape

By Irv Gemora (page 66)

NASSCO maps out a complete range of tools and training programs to support every phase of industry projects

The last five years have seen spectacular growth for NASSCO. Clearly, the success of the Pipeline Assessment & Certification Program (PACP) has enabled us to add the MACP for manholes and the soon-to-be-released LACP for laterals.

All additions to PACP are made available at no extra charge. NASSCO has absorbed the complete cost of developing MACP and LACP as part of its commitment to re-invest the PACP proceeds for the general good of the industry. This complete package of defect assessment tools will allow users to accurately assess the condition of their entire wastewater collection system from manholes to laterals to mains.

The next logical steps for users after a condition assessment is to determine which renewal techniques are appropriate for each particular project. To that end, NASSCO has contracted with the Trenchless Technology Center (TTC) at Louisiana Tech University to develop a software decision matrix that will enable contractors and engineers to select the products and processes most likely to be effective and efficient. This software decision tree will be available in 2008.

The preparation of a bid document as a basis for awarding renewal contracts can be assisted by referring to the NASSCO generic Performance Specifications. The first two, Cured in Place Pipe and Fold and Form, are available now for free on the NASSCO web site at www.nassco.org.

The performance specification for manhole rehabilitation will be posted in the very near future. Additional performance specifications are scheduled for release this year and next and will be available at no charge to the industry. The Specification Guidelines that NASSCO has published for approximately 20 years are available to assist in developing specifications for bidding as well.

After decisions have been made on specifications and bids have been awarded comes the next and extremely important task: Inspecting the installation. NASSCO is addressing that issue, as well. We are in the early stages of developing an Inspector Training and Certification Program. When it is completed, we will offer the training on most of the technologies in use today.

The courses will involve classroom time and hands-on field time. It is our intention to have the Inspector Training classes led only by people with the technical and practical experience to do it to the high standards of NASSCO. The training and certification of inspectors will help everyone from the engineer to the contractor to the supplier, and ultimately to the general public.

NASSCO has been successful because so many of our members are keenly aware of what the industry needs and are willing to share some of their knowledge and experience to help us develop the complete package of programs described above.

We recently created the position of technical director to organize and coordinate these programs and others. Our technical director is Gerry Muenchmeyer, P.E., president of Muenchmeyer Asso-ciates. He brings more than 30 years of broad experience in every aspect of trenchless technology and a keen understanding of NASSCO, having served as a board member and president.

The success of NASSCO is not due to luck or to being in the right place at the right time. The success is a direct result of understanding our role in the trenchless technology industry and carefully planning and executing programs to help the industry and the people in it. If you think these programs are beneficial and you want to be part of the team that makes it happen, then come join us.

Irv Gemora is executive director of NASSCO. He can be reached at director @nassco.org.