Industry / Market: The Johannesburg Library

Situation: The relining division of Orsco was called upon to assist with a historical building renovation at the Johannesburg Library. This 89-year-old building, housing approximately 1.5 million books and offering study spaces and internet access to thousands of students, was closed to the public in May 2021 due to flooding issues. The urgency to reopen was immense, and the deadline was tight. Historical buildings present unique challenges for pipe replacement due to the potential damage to significant architectural features. Nu Flow’s trenchless technology offers a minimally invasive solution, using existing access points to repair non-pressurized piping systems. This method is particularly suited for preserving the integrity of historical structures.

Solution: The main challenge involved the building’s multi-shaped pipes, including rectangular sections of varying diameters. The affected pipelines were thoroughly inspected and cleaned. Additional preparation and finishing were required due to the unique pipe shapes. Access points on the roof (DN150-200mm) were secured with scaffolding.

Orsco successfully rehabilitated all 320 meters of pipeline using a glass-reinforced structural liner and Nu Flow’s patented epoxy. This liner choice accommodates variations in shape and size during installation, creating a new, seamless pipe within the old, damaged host pipes. This method preserved the historical aspects of the building while providing a durable and effective solution to the flooding issue.