December 2011, Vol. 66 No. 12
Features
RehabZone Adds Skills Challenge
A new, hands-on Skills Challenge will be the latest innovation featured in the 2012 RehabZone at the Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exposition (UCT), Jan. 24-26 in San Antonio, TX.
“The Skills Challenge area in the RehabZone will allow participants to demonstrate their skills in two familiar rehabilitation technologies in friendly competition with industry colleagues,” said RehabZone Chairperson Dorcas Hermes. “We believe this new feature of the RehabZone will add interest and excitement.”
There will be two challenge categories:
CCTV Coding: Participants will view a pipeline inspection video and apply codes based on NASSCO’s Pipeline Assessment Certification Program (PACP). The goal is to perform the highest number of correct code entries in a specified amount of time.
Reinstatement of Service Connection: Each participant will actually reinstate a service connection in a lined section of pipe using a robotic cutter. Those completing reinstatements in the shortest times will be declared winners.
“A panel of judges will award token prizes to winners,” said Larry Kiest, organizer of the Skills Challenge program. “However, we believe what is most important is the unique opportunity for participants to actually try their hand at operating a live pipeline robot and having a first-hand opportunity at coding a sewer pipe inspection.”
RehabZone visitors who want to take one or both challenges can register at the Skills Challenge area which will be adjacent to the popular live demonstration area within the RehabZone located within the exhibition area of UCT. Kiest said challenge competition will be held each of the three days of the UCT show during periods where no demonstrations are occurring.
Educational, fun opportunities
Live demonstrations and skill challenges will provide non-stop interesting and exciting educational opportunities at the 2012 RehabZone, Kiest concluded. The RehabZone floor space has been increased to 10,000 square feet to accommodate the expanded activities.
The ‘Zone presents the latest information about water and sewer rehabilitation technologies without reference to product brands and is the only industry event with this type of generic approach. As in previous years, the first station is the popular Pima County, AZ, Historic Sewer and Pipe Artifacts Exhibit which documents the history of pipes, tools and equipment.
In addition to live demonstration and the Skills Challenge areas, educational stations include the NASSCO Pipeline Assessment Certification Program (PACP) and Inspector Training Certification Program (ITCP), closed circuit television (CCTV), bypass pumping, sectional CIPP lining, joint and seal repairs, water main lining, lateral lining, grouting, root control, manhole linings and coatings, emerging technologies and a networking area.
The RehabZone is sponsored by NASSCO in cooperation with the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Trenchless Installation of Pipelines and Pipeline Infrastructure Systems Technical Committees, the Water Environment Federation’s Collection System Committee, and Underground Construction magazine. It is funded by sponsoring industry organizations and participating companies.
Hermes, president of WBE Dorcas, Inc., is serving her second consecutive term as RehabZone chairperson. Kiest, president and chief executive officer of LMK Technologies, served as chairperson of the 2009 RehabZone and continues to play an active role.
For information about UCT and registration, go to the RehabZone web site, www.rehabzone.org, or the UCT web site, http://uctonline.com.
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