When it comes to maintaining and upgrading urban infrastructure, FM Conway offers the complete package. Renowned for its comprehensive infrastructure services, the business is at the forefront of water and drainage management, ensuring clients’ asset networks remain resilient, safe, and sustainable. One of the standout features of their service portfolio is their use of ‘No-Dig’ technology, a necessity in modern drainage infrastructure maintenance.
“The networks we maintain usually sit below other assets like roads or buildings, so accessing them isn’t always a straightforward process,” explains Julian Wynn, Water and Drainage Management Director at FM Conway. “Finding better ways to deliver work is something we invest in heavily, working closely with our supply chain to develop new technologies”.
Quicker, less disruptive, and safer
Traditional drainage repairs can be invasive, time-consuming, and disruptive, often necessitating extensive excavation.
FM Conway’s ‘No-Dig’ solutions circumvent these issues, offering an efficient and less intrusive alternative. This state-of-the-art technology allows for the rehabilitation of existing pipes without the need for digging, preserving the surrounding environment and infrastructure.
CIPP ‘No-Dig’ technology works by inserting a specially designed lining into a damaged pipe. This lining is then cured in place, creating a new, durable pipe within the old one. This method not only extends the lifespan of the drainage system but also minimises disruption to traffic and daily activities. It also reduces carbon footprint and budget for costly repairs – a crucial factor in bustling urban areas.
“Much of our work happens in the London Boroughs, which brings challenges of its own”, adds Julian.
“It’s a unique mix of narrow streets and traditional buildings, blended with ultra-modern skyscrapers and increasingly pedestrianised areas. Underneath all of this is a drainage network built of assets of varying age and condition. Our ability to install liners to large diameter culverts and pipes quite often eliminates the need to close motorways and strategic roads.”
Necessity leads to innovation
The FM Conway team recently worked with Bluelight Lining Ltd to develop, test, and introduce a new product that addresses one of the key areas where ‘No-Dig’ has traditionally struggled.
Changes in pipe diameter are commonplace in drainage networks, as capacity requirements, asset age, and even design or budget choices can impact how a local network is put together. Cured in place linings are normally for a fixed diameter, creating problems where sizes shift and limiting the technology’s use in these instances.
“One of our lining managers reached out to Bluelight and made some suggestions for a new product. Through a collaborative design process, we recently installed the UK’s first ever 150mm to 225mm flexible liner, a real game changer in this space,” says Julian.
This new technology means ‘No- Dig’ methods can be applied to even more projects, broadening its application and reducing the risks associated with excavation works.
A greener solution
“It’s easy to see the time and convenience benefits,” says Julian. “But one thing people often miss is the savings that ‘No- Dig’ offers from an environmental perspective.”
The transport, fuel, and materials associated with accessing and re-instating pipework by traditional means all have an environmental impact, but with ‘No-Dig’ options, these emissions are removed from the equation. Re-lining an existing pipe extends its working life exponentially, reducing the need for virgin materials and minimising waste.
Julian concludes: “As a business, we’re committed to sustainability and self-delivery. Our ways of working emphasise reducing environmental impact through innovative techniques and materials that promote longevity and efficiency.”
