In Flostoy (Havelange), general contractor Roiseux is installing a new sewerage system in an existing road on behalf of the intermunicipal utility company INASEP. Because of the sometimes steep slope, the client opted for vitrified clay pipes. The contractor installed them with the help of Deschacht, which supplied modern, compliant, and Benor-certified materials.
This project used 288 m of vitrified clay pipes series 160 with a diameter of 400 mm, along with special sealing elements for the inspection chambers (supplied by concrete manufacturer Probémal). But why vitrified clay, which is hardly used for sewerage anymore now that other, lighter and easier to install materials such as various types of PVC are available on the market?
Special circumstances
“The client chose vitrified clay because the road had a steep slope—in one place up to 8 %—but also because the two sections to be connected were already made of vitrified clay,” says Serge Lanners, the site manager for Roiseux. He explains why he called upon Deschacht: “When we were looking for a supplier, we immediately thought of Deschacht. We regularly buy their inspection chambers, hatches, and gullies because their prices are very attractive.”.
A new partner
The request sparked the interest of Vincent Brehl, technical sales advisor at Deschacht. “With the help of a new partner, who supplies Benor-certified pipes that comply with European standards, we were able to propose an alternative to the existing products on the market.” The difference? “The pipes were in stock with our supplier, allowing us to deliver them very quickly, along with all the necessary advice and technical data sheets.”
Stoneware, a material from the past?
But isn't vitrified clay an old-fashioned material, harder to handle and install? Serge Lanners: “We are working less and less with vitrified clay. It is an old solution, but fortunately the pipes have evolved and are no longer comparable to those from 20-30 years ago. Of course, the work remains more delicate because vitrified clay is fragile. And for future connections, it will be necessary to drill using special tools. That is more complicated than with PVC pipes, which you can connect with simple tees.”.
Even so, Roiseux and Deschacht can already be proud of this first project with stoneware in Wallonia, which will undoubtedly be followed by others.
General Contractor A. Roiseux sa
Location: Saint-Hubert Establishment: 1993 Personnel: approximately 30 employees Activities: general contractor approved for classes 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6. Services for this project: construction of a new vitrified clay sewer network in an existing roadway
