Picote Xpress coating project in Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA, USA

Picote Brush Coating™️
(with the Xpress Coating System) & High-Speed Cleaning
University of Pennsylvania

Progressive Pipeline Management (PPM)

Introduction

Due to previous and ongoing piping issues in their historic buildings, three years ago the University of Pennsylvania decided to come up with a comprehensive rehabilitation plan. Intech, the contracting company for UPenn, hired PPM for the rehabilitation of Mayer Residence Hall.

Location:

Philadelphia, PA

Date:

May-July 2024

Work:

Picote High-Speed Cleaning, Picote Brush Coating™ with the Picote Xpress Coating System

Contractor:

Progressive Pipeline Management (PPM)

Pipe:

Cast Iron, 3-10” totalling 2,060ft (628m)

Owner:

University of Pennsylvania

The Details

PPM was asked to clean, inspect, and repair 17 vertical and 4 rainwater conductors from the roof (along with 2 RCW stacks), 6 stacks from the 7th floor, and 7 below slab horizontal lines. PPM was also provided access to the bottoms of the vertical stacks through the 1st floor ceiling.

The 3-10” (DN70-250) cast iron pipes were up to 57 feet (17.4m) in length. The 29 vertical stacks totaled roughly 1,560 ft (475m) while the 7 horizontal lines were approximately 500 ft (152m).

Implementation

The application crew consisted of 12-15 people including three different, three-person crews working concurrently, along with a floating foreman. Three Picote Maxi Millers along with three Picote Xpress Coating Pumps & Reels were positioned on the roof of the dormitory. All the pipes were thoroughly cleaned using a combination of Picote tooling including Smart Sweepers, 3D Chains, and Original Chains. Cleaning was finalized using Picote Cyclone style chains. The descaling debris was flushed from the pipes using water and collected in the basement inside 55 gallon drums with sump pumps.

Post-clean inspection was done to check for damage and issued. Major repair areas were replaced and then the entire piping configuration was sealed with three coats of Picote Brush Coating™ Xpress resin.

Xpress Coating System

Benefits

  • Picote Xpress Epoxy (1 : 1 ratio): Single color (light grey), 100% Solids Epoxy.
  • As little as 1 hour curing time between coats (@77°F/25°C).
  • Optional Picote Heater to speed up curing times.
  • Superior thickness of  1 mm per layer (@77°F/25°C).
  • Larger resin containers reduce waste & costs.
  • Motorized Reel with quick connect, multi-use hoses - easily returns the hoses which can then be capped to be used again since the epoxy is mixed at the brush end via a static mixing nozzle. Saving on resin, consumables, and setup time.
  • Internal resin heater on pump runs off the battery to maintain resin temperature during transport and usage. 
  • Reel Heating Blanket runs off Pump battery and maintains hose reel resin temperature. 
  • Vertical design saves on storage, transport, and jobsite space.
  • Tri-wheel stair climbers & 32' (10m) corded remote allows easy transport up and down stairs and for hard-to-reach places.
  • Go Small! Small diameter hose package for coating 1¼-2" (DN32-50) pipes up to 50' (15 m) in length.
  • Use in conjunction with Picote Millers & Coating Brushes

Xpress Brush coating from Picote