The cured-in-place pipe process has become one of the most widely used rehabilitation methods in the world. First introduced to North America in the 1970s, it — along with many other trenchless technologies such as pipe bursting, spiral wound systems and others — has proven to be an effective alternative to dig-and-replace methods that require the old pipe to be dug up and hauled off to a landfill.  

Given CIPP’s popularity and wide (and growing) use, over the past several years and months NASSCO has amassed and developed educational videos, specification guidelines, research and other materials to help support the safe and proper installation of CIPP. The following information is all available on www.nassco.org and we encourage anyone involved in the installation of CIPP to know and understand the proper application of the technology and the measures required to keep workers and our communities safe.

Below are a few of the resources available for free download:

• After years of research on the safety of styrene emissions in the CIPP process, the Trenchless Technology Center at Louisiana Tech has provided specific recommendations for CIPP installations using styrenated resins. The entire reports are available at www.nassco.org/safety/styrene-Safety, and TTC’s one-page, easy-to-read document titled Recommendations for CIPP Installations using Styrene Resins can be found on that same page under “Related Resources.” We strongly encourage everyone to read, understand and follow these important recommendations.

• Styrene has a very noticeable odor, even at very low levels. NASSCO’s Pipe Rehabilitation Committee’s CIPP Safety Workgroup created a two-page “What’s that Odor?” brochure that can be shared with property owners and anyone curious about how to minimize odor during the installation process when styrene-based resins are used. This document is also available for download on www.nassco.org/safety/styrene-safety and can be printed, shared and even posted to your own website.

• To accompany this brochure, there is also a short and entertaining video called “What’s that Odor?” This is available for download to your website, for sharing on social media, and can be found on NASSCO’S Vimeo page: www.vimeo.com/528370223

• To build awareness for aging underground infrastructure, NASSCO’s vision is to provide education, technical resources and advocacy to our industry. Two important technical resources pertaining to CIPP installations and safety are available on the NASSCO website at www..org/resources/nassco-specification-guidelines.

• Safe Use and Handling of Styrenated Resins in CIPP Specification Guideline

• Cured-in-Place Pipe Installation Performance Specification Guideline

• Based on the Safe Use and Handling of Styrenated Resins in CIPP Specification Guideline, NASSCO now offers an online course on the subject. Successful completion of NASSCO’s Safe Use and Handling of Styrene-Based Resins in CIPP Exam demonstrates that a student has a basic understanding of knowledge to help protect employees and the environment from potential hazards. To register for the eLearning session, visit www.nasscotrainingsource.org.

• Do you need to educate a customer or community on the CIPP process and the benefits the technology offers? Please share, download and post NASSCO’s CIPP 101 video, which can be found here: https://vimeo.com/672110918

NASSCO continues to update its Safety webpage on styrene and many other topics, including vital safety updates, and encourages you to visit nassco.org/safety often, as it is continually updated. To learn more please visit our website. For specific questions regarding styrene or any other safety issue, please email safety@nassco.org. For technical questions, please email our Technical Advisory Council via tac@nassco.org. And to join NASSCO, please visit www.nassco.org/join. Stay safe!