Waterstop King

JP Specialties Donates to Dream Makers

2011-12-16T11:04:00.001-08:00

Every year, JP Specialties, Inc (Earth Shield® Waterstop) donates a significant amount of money to a charity around holiday time. The past several years we supported a national cause (Shriner's Hospital for Children). This year, we decided to do something much closer to home and support one of the local charter schools: Temecula Preparatory School. (TPS website at http://www.temeculaprep.com/ ) Charter schools receive far less funding than standard public schools and are badly in need of help from corporate partners and concerned parents. The school's PTA (PTA website at http://www.tpspats.com/ ) created the Dream Maker program for corporate partners to help make teacher's and student's dreams come true. JP Specialties, Inc. (http://www.jpspecialties.com/) is proud to be the inaugural corporate partner and today, Friday, Dec. 16th the winning "dreams" will be announced at the school's "Winter Wonderland" festivities. More details on "Dream Makers" can be found here http://idisk.me.com/david_r_p/Public/DreamMaker.pdf and JP Specialties, Inc. encourages other local businesses to support this outstanding asset to our community. ---More info from David Poole 951-334-3440

TPE and TPV... My Definition

2011-09-23T09:07:00.000-07:00

TPEs and TPVs are such niche items that I seriously doubt that you'll ever find them listed in a printed dictionary or encyclopedia. Therefore, I decided to put my definiton on the Web for all to use as needed.

1) TPE and TPV defined:

a) ThermoplasticElastomeric Rubber (TPE [sometimes referred to as TPER]) — An alloy of rubber and plastic usually that bridges the price/performance gap of the two parentmaterials. TPEs have many of the physical properties and characteristics ofrubber, but process like plastics.

b) ThermoplasticVulcanizate Rubber (TPV) — Same as a TPE, but the rubber phase of the product isvulcanized (or cross-linked), which provides the finished elastomer with higherchemical resistance and substantially better mechanical properties.

c) (From Handbook of Thermoplastic Elastomers by Benjamin M. Walker and Dr.Charles P. Rader.) TPEs firstappeared as commercial entities during the late 1950s, with the introduction ofthermoplastic polyurethane elastomers by both B. F. Goodrich and Mobay Chemical.This was followed by the production of styrene butadiene and styrene isopreneblock copolymers by the Shell Chemical Company during the middle and late1960s. a significant innovation in the TPE field was the commercialintroduction of copolyester block copolymers by the Du Pont Company during the1970s, which was followed by the introduction of a group of rubber-plasticblends — primarily polypropylene and EPDM rubber — by the Uniroyal ChemicalCompany. The 1980s saw introduction of elastomeric alloy thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs), bythe Monsanto Chemical Company in 1981, and elastomeric alloy melt processiblerubbers (MPRs), by the Du Pont Company in 1985. The Monsanto TPV (now Santoprene by ExxonMobil), based upon a unique process of dynamic vulcanization,consists of a two-phase system — a finely divided dispersion of a highlyvulcanized rubber phase in a continuous phase of polyolefin.

RCRA and SPCC Fines for Roanoke, VA Company

2011-08-31T12:44:00.000-07:00

ROANOKE, VA -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that a chemical distributor in Roanoke, Va. has agreed to pay a $43,967 penalty and complete more than $200,000 in safety improvements to settle alleged violations of federal environmental laws designed to protect and inform the public about hazardous chemicals.

The company, Chemicals and Solvents, Inc. (doing business as Chemsolv, Inc.) is located at 1111 Industry Ave., S.E., Roanoke. The settlement applies to Chemsolv and Austin Holdings-VA, LLC, owner of two of three properties that make up the facility.

According to an EPA complaint, the alleged violations include the facility’s lack of fire protection, inadequate secondary containment, and improper storage of incompatible chemicals. Other violations concern the company’s failure to fully implement its risk management program that is designed to help prevent chemical releases, and the company’s failure to submit required documentation to state, county and local officials for the facility’s numerous hazardous chemicals. States and communities can use this information to improve chemical safety and to protect public health and the environment in the event of a release.

The settlement announced today follows up on an EPA order in June 2008 for Chemsolv to take extensive measures to ensure that its storage facilities complied with industry standards and risk management program regulations. To comply with the order, Chemsolv rebuilt two large warehouses at the facility.

In the settlement, Chemsolv has agreed to pay a cash penalty of $43,967, and to implement two additional safety upgrades that exceed regulatory requirements: (1) installation of a nitrogen blanketing system on 20 storage tanks containing flammable materials at a cost of $153,000, and (2) installation of a dry disconnect system on hoses at the facility, which will eliminate drips and accidental spills during loading and unloading of chemicals, at a cost of $63,000. In the settlement documents, the company neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged violations.

RCRA and Clean Water Act Violations Force DOW Settlement

2011-07-31T10:55:00.000-07:00

Click this link for the full story. The most serious RCRA violations resulted from cracks and pits in secondary containment structures for several tanks and pieces of equipment at the Midland facility. Secondary containment structures are ditches, walls, and other types of structures intended to hold in accidental spills and releases of hazardous waste from tanks and equipment. Cracks and pits in secondary containment structures threaten the integrity of the structure, which can result in a release of hazardous waste into the surrounding environment.

JP Specialties, Inc. / Earth Shield® is the leading manufacturer of chemical resistant waterstop solutions and has recently begun supplying DOW projects throughout Michigan with chemical resistant waterstop to avoid future RCRA and Clean Water Act violations.

New York DEC Releases Fracking Report With Secondary Containment Requirements

2011-07-13T11:02:00.000-07:00

Penn Yan, NY — The Department of Environmental Conservation released its revised recommendations on mitigating the environmental impacts of high-volume hydraulic fracturing “fracking” July 1.
Those opposed to the practice argue that the recommendations allow the state to apply double standards to protecting drinking water supplies.
The recommendations contain these major revisions:
•High-volume fracturing would be prohibited in the New York City and Syracuse watersheds, including a buffer zone.
•Drilling would be prohibited within primary aquifers and within 500 feet of their boundaries.
•Surface drilling would be prohibited on state-owned land including parks, forest areas and wildlife management areas.
•High-volume fracturing will be permitted on privately held lands under rigorous and effective controls.
•DEC will issue regulations to codify these recommendations into state law.
The Department’s review has resulted in recommendations for controls on high-volume fracturing on private lands such as:
Protecting Drinking Water
• Well water and other water protection: No permits would be issued for sites within 500 feet of a private water well or domestic use spring. No permits may be issued for a proposed site within 2,000 feet of a public drinking water supply well or reservoir at least until three years of experience elsewhere have been evaluated. No permits will be issued for well pads within a 100-year floodplain.
•Additional Well Casing to Prevent Gas Migration: In most cases, an additional third, cemented well casing is required around each well to prevent the migration of gas. The three required casings are the surface casing, the new intermediate casing and the production casing.
• Spill control: Flowback water on site must use watertight tanks within a secondary containment. No open containment may be used. Secondary containment for all fracturing additive containers, additive staging areas and flowback tanks will be required.
• Stormwater Control: Strict stormwater control measures will be required.
Regulating Water Withdrawals
A special permit will be required to withdraw large volumes of water for industrial and commercial purposes.
All withdrawals from surface water bodies will be subject to limits to prevent impacts upon ecosystems and other water quantity requirements. Identification of the water source an applicant intends to use will be required. An annual report must be issued on the aggregate amount of water it has withdrawn.
Applicants must have DEC-approved plans for disposing of flowback water and production brine. DEC would institute a process to monitor disposal of flowback water, production brine, drill cuttings and other drilling waste streams that is similar to the handling of medical waste.
Taking Localities into Account
DEC would notify local governments of each well permit application for high-volume fracturing. Applicant must certify that a proposed activity is consistent with local land use and zoning laws. Failure to certify or a challenge by a locality would trigger additional DEC review before a permit could be issued.
Identifying Fluid Chemicals
The 2011 environmental report identifies 322 chemicals proposed for use in New York and includes health hazard information for each as identified by the NYS Department of Health. Applicants must fully disclose to DEC all products utilized in the high-volume fracturing process. Applicants must agree to publicly disclose the names of the additives, subject to appropriate protections for proprietary information. Operators will be required to evaluate using alternative additives that pose less potential risk.
Protecting the Air
Enhanced air pollution controls on engines used at well pads will be required. DEC will monitor local and regional air quality at well pads and surrounding areas. The use of existing pipelines will be required rather than flaring gas.
Conserving Habitats
Disturbing the surface of the land is strictly restricted in forests of 150 acres or more, or grasslands of 30 acres or more, by requiring applicants to comply with best management practices.
The DEC report says the 2009 SGEIS did not adequately consider the community and socioeconomic impacts of high-volume fracturing. DEC officials say they have engaged independent consultants to thoroughly research these types of effects, such as:
• Socio-economic conditions including positive and negative impacts.
• Transportation infrastructure, current road use and the impacts of increased traffic.
• Visual and noise impacts.
DEC expects the research to be completed by July 31. This research will be considered and reflected in the final draft of the report.
Upon final adoption of the permitting standards, DEC will implement a system of oversight, monitoring and enforcement with close consultation with local governments and communities.
A High-Volume Hydraulic Fracturing Advisory Panel, composed of outside environmental and industry experts and local government representatives, will be charged with developing recommendations for:
• funding to ensure the proper oversight, monitoring and enforcement by state and county agencies responsible for drilling activities and reviewing water sampling data.
• measures to minimize socioeconomic and other impacts on local governments and communities;
•a fee structure for drilling development.
• a mechanism for the funding of infrastructure improvements.

Earth Shield Supplies Chemical Resistant Waterstop to New GE Sodium Nickel Battery Plant That President Obama Promoted During Recent Visit

2011-03-20T12:03:00.000-07:00

President Barack Obama visited the Capital Region Friday, January 7th, 2011 where he touted America's business potential during a trip to General Electric located in Schenectady, NY where he toured a new battery plant with General Electric CEO Jeffrey Immelt.

The president introduced Immelt as the head of a Council on Jobs and Competitiveness. Obama said the panel will focus on getting people back to work and making our nation more competitive on a global level.

During his speech, President Obama said that as the economy slowly recovers, the challenge is to make it easier for people to expand new businesses and for existing companies to hire new workers. The president also said that in order for the economy to fully recover, U.S. companies must expand their exports to overseas markets.

GE is making a move into the sodium-based battery business with a $100 million battery manufacturing plant in upstate New York. The company has previously invested heavily in lithium ion batteries — the batteries of choice for hybrid and electric cars — but the new sodium-nickel-chloride batteries will power GE's hybrid locomotives. The batteries could also be used in data centers, trucking equipment for mining, and alternative energy storage.

GE has held patents on the sodium-based batteries, which store energy produced when vehicles brake, for over five years. The company believes sodium-based batteries are superior to lithium batteries for locomotive purposes because the former provides large amounts of power spread over a long period. In comparison, lithium ion batteries provide short bursts of power that can jolt a vehicle into moving.

Earth Shield® brand chemical resistant waterstop is currently being installed throughout the new battery plant in all the containment areas and trenches. An on-site waterstop welding training class was held on March 9th, 2011, certifying the contractor — Lechase Construction Services of Schenectady, NY. The entire crew was trained over the course of one day and construction commenced immediately. Both retrofit and base seal waterstops were used throughout.

The battery factory, scheduled to open in mid-2011, will provide a much-needed economic boost to Niskayuna, New York, with 350 factory jobs and $100 million in investment — some of which GE hopes will be provided for with government economic stimulus funding. At full capacity, GE's sodium-based battery factory will produce 10 million battery cells (900 MW hours of energy storage) each year.

Earth Shield is proud to be a small part of this factory of the future.

Ireland Oil Regulations Enhanced

2010-12-27T10:35:00.000-08:00

The arrival of The Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 represent the most significant change in oil storage regulations in the province for a generation. Coming into effect on 20 March 2011 and affecting both new and existing oil storage installations, they are applicable to the storage of all kinds of oil including agricultural fuel oil, biodiesel, diesel, gas oil, bioheating oil, heating oil, kerosene, lubricants, oil based solvents, mineral oil, paraffin, plant oil, vegetable oil and waste oils.

Affected Premises

The new Regulations are applicable to all internal and external above ground storage installations with an installed capacity greater than 200 litres at:

Commercial premises e.g. shops, garages, offices etc.
Industrial premises e.g. factories, quarries, workshops etc.
Institutional premises e.g. civic buildings, hospitals, police stations, multi-residential dwellings, blocks of flats, apartments etc.
Domestic premises with an installed capacity greater than 3,500 litres
Waste oil storage and collection facilities e.g. civic amenity sites
Companies who refine and distribute oil and who are not regulated by The Control of Major Accident Hazards (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2000, storing 2,500 tonnes of oil or more.

Single family dwellings with an installed capacity of 3,500 litres or less are not affected by the Regulations, but instead are subject to Building Regulations in the province. Similarly, whilst agricultural installations do not fall within the remit of the legislation, they are covered by The Control of Pollution (Silage, Slurry and Fuel Oil) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2003.

Scope

The scope of the new Regulations at affected installations extends to:

Fixed storage tanks
Intermediate bulk containers (IBCs)
Drums
Bowsers and other similar, mobile storage / dispensing tanks

For the first time in Northern Ireland, the Regulations establish minimum legal requirements for the storage of oil at affected premises and installations. Usefully they bring the province largely into line with existing regulations elsewhere in the United Kingdom and in mainland Europe.

Principal Measures

Key requirements of the new regulations in Northern Ireland include:

Tanks, drums and any other storage containers must be strong enough to store oil without bursting.
Oil storage containers should be positioned to minimise the risk of vehicular impact
A secondary containment system (e.g. bund) should be incorporated within the installation to contain any oil spilt from the primary storage container, ancillary equipment or pipework.
The secondary containment system must be able to store a minimum of 110% of the primary storage container. Where more than one container is stored, the system must be able to contain either 110% of the capacity of the largest storage container of 25% of the aggregate total - whichever is the greater.
The base and walls of any bund must be impermeable to oil e.g. they must be able to contain oil for a minimum of 72 hours. Additionally, the bund must not be permeated by any pipe or valve, capable of draining the storage system.
Aboveground pipework must be properly supported and underground pipework must be protected from physical and chemical damage and have adequate leakage protection in place.

In practice, the outworking of the new requirements will be the installation of pre-fabricated bunded oil tanks and the increased use of sump pallets at many oil storage installations in the province.

Timing

In England and Scotland, comparable regulations were phased in over a number of years. It is therefore unsurprising to find the same approach has been taken in Northern Ireland. The Regulations, which apply to both new and existing oil storage installations, will be implemented in three distinct stages:

All new oil storage facilities must comply by 20 September 2011
Existing oil storage facilities within 10 metres of a waterway or within 50 metres of a well, borehole or spring must comply by 20 March 2013.
All remaining oil storage facilities should comply by 31 December 2015.

Further Information

In 2009, oil represented approximately 14% of substantiated pollution incidents investigated by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. Whilst there has been a welcome, downward trend in the number of oil related pollution incidents in the province; the number appears to have levelled off at c.220 incidents per annum during recent years. The Agency hopes the introduction of new Regulations will further reduce the number and extent of oil related pollution incidents in the province.

Further information on the new Regulations is available from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.

All material courtesy of and copyright of OilFiredUp.com

Waterstop for Corner Joints

2010-11-05T13:14:00.000-07:00

Earth Shield® Waterstop profile JP540L is the perfect solution for sealing corner joints between wall/wall or wall/slab on environmentally engineered concrete containment structures. The product is externally applied using factory supplied novolac epoxy, stainless steel Tapcons®, and stainless steel batten bar.

JPS / Earth Shield Waterstop Proudly Sponsor Kenny G at South Coast Winery, Benefitting Shriners Hospitals for Children

2010-10-04T18:10:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday at the beautiful, award-winning South Coast Winery in Temecula, CA, smooth jazz master Kenny G performed to a sold out audience with all proceeds benefitting Shriners Hospitals for Children. For the second year in a row, JP Specialties, Inc. (manufacturer of Earth Shield® Waterstop) has proudly sponsored the event which directly impacts the lives of children throughout the world. If you would like to see a short video gallery of the evening, please click here.

Unique Waterstop System Utilized In Idaho Dam Rehab

2010-10-01T10:39:00.000-07:00

In early summer season, the reservoir behind Dworshak is about 630 feet deep. At the bottom of the reservoir the water pressure is high. From the top to the bottom of the dam are large, solid, copper “waterstops” between the large concrete monoliths designed to prevent leaks between the monoliths and in the cracks. Since 2009, the District and a contracted architectural-engineering (A-E) firm have been studying and prototyping new urethane waterstop technologies for tall or “high-head” dams. This $1.3 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) technology demonstration will lead to groundbreaking engineering research data for future high-head waterstop repairs at Dworshak and around the world. The urethane waterstop cylinders are being manufactured off site, and installation is expected to begin in late September 2010.

Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Compliance Q&A

2010-09-20T11:53:00.000-07:00

Question - What constitutes an SPCC Plan?

Answer - A sketch or drawing of the site will assist in identification the implementation.

Question - When the SPCC Plan is completed and certified, is it sent to EPA for review?

Answer - No, a certified copy of the Plan is required to be available from EPA on-site review; if the facility is attended at least eight hours a day. If the facility is not attended, then the Plan shall be kept at the nearest company office.

Question - What is the time frame for plan preparation and implementation for a new facility?

Answer - One year from the date the facility begins operation.

Question - Is an SPCC Plan required when a facility has existing preventative systems in place and no previous history of spills?

Answer - The need for an SPCC Plan is determined by criteria; the storage capacity and the location, disregarding existing manmade structures.

Question - When a production lease consists of several operations, such as wells, oil/water separators, collection systems, tank batteries, etc. does each operation require a separate SPCC Plan?

Answer - No, one SPCC Plan may include all operations within a single geographical area when each is addressed in the Plan.

Question - Is every loss of oil or oil product subject to a penalty?

Answer - No, a discharge is defined in 311(a)(2) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act as including, but not limited to, any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, or dumping that enters the waters of the United States or on the adjoining shorelines in harmful quantities. If the water is affected, a penalty could be assessed if a spill occurs and is prevented by some means from entering water, no penalty should be assessed.

Question - What is considered to be a harmful quantity?

Answer - Harmful quantity is defined in the Regulations as discharges which affect the water quality standards or cause a film or sheen upon or discoloration of the water or adjoining shorelines.

Question - What are considered navigable waters?

Answer - The waters of the United States. The Coast Guard interpretation includes not only the traditionally recognized navigable waters but all streams, creeks, lakes, and ponds connected to the tributary system in a river basin.

Question - Is one spillage of oil into a municipal storm sewer a violation?

Answer - If oil reaches "navigable water" a violation has occurred and penalties may result. The facility spilling the oil must also have an SPCC Plan implemented. A properly engineered plan and implemented would prevent a spill from occurring.

Question - What penalties are assessed?

Answer - The Regional Administrator to assess a civil penalty up to $5,000 per day for each violation.

Question - Must secondary containment be provided for transfer operations (i.e. for a tanker truck loading or unloading fuel at a facility?

Answer - The secondary containment system should be designed to hold at the least maximum capacity of any single compartment of a tank car or tank truck loading or unloading at the facility. This is not to say that a truck must park within a diked wall for loading/unloading. The regulation allows flexibility here for diversion structures such as curbing or diking to channel a potential spill to a secondary containment structure.

Question - Must an SPCC Plan be sent to EPA for review and/or approval?

Answer - Normally an SPCC Plan is not required to be sent to EPA for approval; however the owners or operators of a facility is required to maintain a complete copy of the Plan at the facility if the facility is normally attended to at least eight hours per day, or at the nearest field office if the facility is not attended. Upon inspection by EPA or representative, a SPCC Plan must be produced for the inspection review. A SPCC Plan must be submitted to EPA for review if either of the following conditions are met: (1) A facility discharges 1,000 gallons or more of oil in a single spill event, (2) a facility discharges oil in harmful quantities as defined in 40 CFR 110 into any waters of the United States in two spill events, reportable under section 311(b)(s) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; occurring within any twelve month period. If either conditions applies, the owner or operator of such facility is required to submit their SPCC Plan to the EPA within 60 days for review.

Question - Are SPCC Plans required for hazardous substances or hazardous wastes?

Answer - SPCC Plans are required for facilities that store or transport oil of any kind or in any form, including, but not limited to petroleum, fuel oil, sludge, oil refuse and oil mixed with wastes other than dredged soil.

The SPCC regulation, as written does not apply to hazardous substances or hazardous waste. Some RCRA permits may require secondary containment for hazardous wastes on a facility specific basis. Although secondary containment is not required by regulation for hazardous substances, EPA recommends that facility owners strongly consider it as a means of reducing environmental damage and liability resulting from an accidental release.

Question - Is a facility required to develop a SPCC Plan if a spill from the facility is not able to reach any navigable waters of the United States?

Answer - A SPCC Plan is required for any facility which, due to it's location, could reasonably be expected to discharge oil in harmful quantities, as defined in 40 CFR Part 110, into or upon the waters of the United States. The determination to develop a SPCC Plan is the responsibility of the owners or operators of the required facilities.

Question - Are federally-owner facilities subject to SPCC requirements?

Answer - Federally-owned and operated facilities are required to develop a SPCC Plan for any federal facility that meets the applicability requirements.

Question - Do the SPCC regulations spell out design requirements for diking, curbing, etc.?

Answer - The SPCC regulations requires diked areas for storage tanks to be sufficiently impervious to contain any spilled oil. All bulk storage tank installations should be constructed so that a secondary means of containment is provided for the entire contents of the largest single tank plus sufficient freeboard to allow for precipitation. Containment curbs and pits are sometimes used as secondary containments but they may not always be appropriate for some facilities.

Question - What authorities do states have under the SPCC regulation?

Answer - The SPCC Program is a federally mandated program. Executive Order 11735 (August 3, 1973) delegated the authority of the President to promulgate prevention regulations for vessels or transportation, and to EPA (The Regional Administrators) for prevention for transportation related and non-transportation related facilities. States may perform SPCC inspection at the request of EPA; however, the overall review process of the inspection is the responsibility of the EPA. This review process will be handled within the Regional EPA office.

Question - If a tank is taken out of service, what measures must a facility take in order to be exempt from SPCC regulations?

Answer - Any tank taken out of service must have all pipes and fittings sealed off and tanks should be filled with an inert material, such as sand or concrete in order to be exempt from the SPCC regulations.

Question - Are tanks-within-a-tank satisfactory to meet the secondary containment requirement for SPCC?

Answer - Tanks-within-a-tank may provide adequate secondary containment; however, the valving must be designed so that accidental release from the inner tank (from such occurrences as an inadvertent valve opening or a failure) are completely contained within the outer tank.

Question - Must each tank in a tank battery have secondary containment?

Answer - A dike for tank battery is required to contain only the largest single tank within the tank battery plus sufficient freeboard to allow for precipitation. The dike should be sufficiently impervious to contain any spilled oil from the tank battery.

Question - Should above ground tank and underground tanks be subject to inspection?

Answer - All above ground tanks should be subject to periodic integrity testing, taking into account tank design and using such techniques as hydrostatic testing, visual inspection or a system of non-destructive shell thickness testing. Tank supports and foundations should be included in these inspections.

Buried storage tanks represent a potential for undetected spills. A new buried installation should be protected from corrosion by coatings. Buried tanks should be at least be subject to regular pressure testing. To qualify as buried storage, a tank must be completely buried in the earth. Tanks which are in an underground basement or vault do not qualify for underground storage. The reason is that buried tanks usually have some inherent protection by the containment action of the surrounding earth.

Question - Are transformers covered under SPCC compliance?

Answer - Electrical transformers and similar equipment are covered by the SPCC regulation provided that they contain sufficient quantities of oil, and due to location, can reasonably be expected to spill their oil into navigable waters or adjourning shorelines.

Question - If the drainage from a facility discharge into a sewer system is this facility required to have a SPCC Plan?

Answer - If the sewer is a storm sewer or combined sewer, the spill could reasonably be expected to reach navigable waters and thus the plan would be required. If the flow from the sewer is entirely treated in a sewage treatment plant then an engineering assessment should be made by the owner or operator as to whether or not the treatment system could handle the possible volume of oil without exceeding the permitted amount in the plant discharge without causing a harmful discharge. If the system could not handle the oil, then a SPCC Plan would be required. Violations of other sections of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act or other laws may be involved in a spill to a municipal sewer system.

Question - What other regulation or standards may be applicable for oil storage facilities?

Answer - UST (Underground Storage Tank), NFPA (National Fire Prevention Association) and State Fire Marshals.

If you have additional Questions about the SPCC Regulation, please contact the United States Environmental Protection Agency at (214)855-0711.

"Water of the World" Presentation for Temecula Friends of the Library, August 21st, 2010

2010-08-27T14:20:00.000-07:00

Please Come See Me Speak at the Temecula Library in August

2010-07-16T12:10:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be speaking at the Temecula Library (30600 Pauba Road, Temecula, CA) event entitled "California's Water Problem." The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Temecula Library and will be held on Saturday, August 21, from 1 to 3 pm. A watermelon social will follow.

Please attend the event and learn about the challenges facing California and the world regarding our thirst for water. I hope to see you there.

June "We Contain More" Magazine With BP Oil Commentary

2010-06-03T13:56:00.000-07:00

click here to download

Secondary Containment Halts Greka Facility Oil/Water Spill

2010-05-25T11:19:00.000-07:00

Approximately 250 barrels of mostly produced water and crude oil spilled at the Greka Oil Lease facility in Santa Maria, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

Representatives from Greka, the fire department, the Department of Fish and Game, and County Petroleum responded to the scene at 9:16 a.m.

Crews say the spill was a result of an over-filled produced water tank. The spill did not affect local wildlife, and was within secondary containment, according to the fire department.

Special thanks to KSBY News for reporting.

Shell Singapore Cracker Unit Utilizes Earth Shield Waterstop for Containment Needs

2010-05-07T10:33:00.000-07:00

BANGALORE, INDIA--May 7, 2010--Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Global oil and gas major Royal Dutch Shell plc (NYSE:RDS.A) (The Hague, Netherlands) inaugurated its widely anticipated Shell Eastern Petrochemical Complex (SEPC) in Singapore on May 4. At the inaugural ceremony, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsieng Loong said that the complex, which is Shell's new petrochemical hub, could attract a "new wave" of investments in excess of $2 billion in fixed assets from major companies involved in the petrochemical industry.

The SEPC is expected to give a major boost to Singapore's chemicals sector, which is responsible for one-third, or $60 billion, of the country's total manufacturing capacity. In fact, the company itself is attempting to lift its capacity to meet the burgeoning Asian, especially Chinese, demand for plastic-making raw materials.

The pride of the project is a cracker, which has a manufacturing capacity of 800,000 ton per year of ethylene; 450,000 tons per year of propylene; and 230,000 tons per year of benzene. Shell already had commissioned its 800,000 tons per year ethylene cracker on Pulau Bukom Island in March and the facility is operating efficiently, without hiccups, it is reported.

The complex also has a strategic integration with a 500,000-barrel-per-day refinery at Bukom Island. Shell modified the Bukom refinery plant, by virtue of which it is now capable of manufacturing a larger gamut of crudes as raw materials for the cracker.

Last November, the company had also commissioned its 750,000-ton-per-year mono ethylene glycol (MEG) plant on Jurong Island.

While designing the new complex, Shell wanted to have both the oil refining and the petrochemical units in the same complex, linking the facilities on the two islands. The cracker on Bukom Island, integrated with the Bukom refinery, is linked to the facilities on Jurong Island by a series of 2.8-mile pipes on the seabed. The company has provisions to either cool the ethylene to a liquid form for the purpose of exporting it from a newly constructed jetty, or to store it in a terminal with cryogenic storage provisions.

Special thanks to industrial info.com for reporting the story. ---David R. Poole

Earth Shield Waterstop / Rhythm on the Vine Link is Live

2010-04-29T10:29:00.000-07:00

Manager's Guide to Environmental Regulations

2010-04-16T10:24:00.000-07:00

I just received my copy of Manager's Guide to Environmental Regulations by Thompson Publishing. Environmental compliance can be burdensome, complex and costly. This book is a new and essential sourcebook that explains the requirements of the major federal environmental laws and will help you maintain compliance, meet ongoing deadlines, and avoid costly penalties and settlements.

Monetary penalties for noncompliance can be high; and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, once involved in an investigation, may look back a number of years for additional violations beyond the current situation. Thompson’s Manager’s Guide to Environmental Regulations will serve as a valuable tool in preparing your facility.

The book is divided into the following areas for easy reference – how to develop a facility-specific environmental compliance plan and explanations of the regulatory requirements under the major programs: the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know (EPCRA); the Risk Management Program; Hazardous Materials and Waste; the Clean Air Act; and Clean Water Act.

California Concert Series to Benefit Shriners Hospital

2010-04-02T09:46:00.000-07:00

JP Specialties, Inc. is proud to once again provide corporate sponsorship for Rhythm on the Vine and Caring for Kids concert series – both benefiting Shriners Hospitals for Children. Shriners Hospitals is a one-of-a-kind international health care system of 22 hospitals where we treat children for orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, cleft lip palate in a family-centered environment – all at absolutely no charge.

Earth Shield Retrofit Waterstop for a Variety of Applications

2010-03-11T12:49:00.000-08:00

Joining new concrete to existing concrete requires the use of a waterstop if the joint is to be fluid-proof. However, this formed joint has always been problematic for Engineers and Contractors, as properly installing a standard waterstop across a preformed joint is difficult, expensive, and usually a compromise. Traditionally, Engineers have accomplished the task by specifying the use of a standard embedded waterstop within a sawcut and epoxy-grout filled channel. This labor-intensive and costly method has often produced questionable results due to the potential cold joint formed between the epoxy and the existing concrete surface from shrinkage. Furthermore, by sawcutting the existing concrete, the Contractor may be inadvertently destroying the reinforcing steel within the concrete.

Earth Shield currently manufactures six polymer systems that offer Engineers, Owners, and Contractors real solutions for retrofitting applications. All of the systems are non-destructive — there is no sawcutting of the existing concrete, and therefore no destruction of the internal reinforcing steel. All of the systems feature chemical bond (epoxy), as well as mechanical anchor system (stainless steel batten bar and bolts). All of the systems are manufactured from a fully cross-linked thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV), which provides broad-spectrum resistance to a variety of aggressive chemicals, long life span (entire lifecycle of structure), and excellent physical properties (tensile strength, elongation, etc.).

All six Earth Shield retrofit waterstops systems can be installed either vertically or horizontally. Therefore, they are equally suited for joining slab to wall or wall to slab. A frequent application is for the Contractor to pour the slab monolithically; apply an Earth Shield retrofit waterstop system to the cured slab (green concrete is perfectly acceptable); and cast containment walls (curbs) on top of the waterstop. All of our retrofit waterstop systems can be factory fabricated to fit-to-print dimensions, leaving little to no welding for the Contractor in the field.

More info at...

Secondary Containment Rules for New Zealand

2010-03-08T13:16:00.000-08:00

Secondary containment is a system which will contain fuel spills if a fuel tank leaks or is damaged, and from which the fuel can be cleaned up after a spill. A secondary containment system must also have a capacity capable of containing a spill equaling 110% of the capacity of the largest fuel tank it contains.

General Provisions:
Where a total of 2000 liters or more of petrol and/or diesel is stored the person in charge of the farm must ensure that fuel is stored in a compound (bund). Where the total is below 2000 liters the fuel may alternatively be located so that any spillage will not endanger any building, or flow into any natural water body. Any tanks must be maintained so that valves, hoses and dispensers do not leak.

What is a Compound (Bund)?

A compound is a form of secondary containment consisting of a hollow, pit or structure which is capable of containing any fuel spill from the fuel storage. To comply with HSNO regulations it must:

Be of a size capable of holding 110% of the contents of the largest fuel tank; and be constructed of non-flammable materials (concrete, brick, HDPE, clay, earth or similar); and effectively retain the fuel if there is a spillage.
In areas with light, free draining soils (e.g. pumice or sandy soils), a compound must be lined with an additional impermeable layer (e.g. concrete, clay or brick) to stop spills entering groundwater.

Pesticide Container and Containment Regulations At A Glance

2010-03-04T13:10:00.000-08:00

The purpose of this document is to provide an outline of many of the requirements of the regulations “Standards for Pesticide Containers and Containment.” This document reflects the requirements established in August 2006 and amended in October 2008. With this document, EPA intends to facilitate the public’s ability to determine who is subject to the rule and how to comply.

Because this is a summary, many details are not included. Refer to the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR parts 156 and 165) and the October 29, 2008 Federal Register Notice for the full version.

This Web page includes the following:

Overview table of who must comply, a list of major requirements and the compliance date for each of the five areas of regulatory standards.
Overview table of the products that are subject to the nonrefillable, refillable and repackaging regulations.
A short summary of each of the five areas of the regulatory standards, addressing:

Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Bulk Storage Secondary Containment Requirements

2010-03-03T10:52:00.000-08:00

For purposes of the SPCC requirements, secondary containment for bulk storage facilities must be constructed to at least provide for the capacity of the largest single tank with sufficient freeboard for precipitation. EPA believes that the proper standard of "sufficient freeboard" to contain precipitation is that amount necessary to contain a 25-year, 24-hour storm event. There are several different types of secondary containment measures that could be used at a facility including:

Double walled tank
External liner
Concrete dike constructed with chemical resistant waterstops

Oil Spill in Ingleside, Texas — Secondary Containment Breached

2010-02-11T13:24:00.000-08:00

Ingleside, TX — Federal and local officials are dealing with an oil spill at the Falcon Refinery.

Some 25,000 barrels of crude oil spilled out of a ruptured storage tank.

Over two million gallons of oil are kept in the storage tanks at the refinery.

Two of these tanks ruptured causing thousands of gallons to leak.

Crews from the Texas General Land Office at 7:30 Wednesday came started to siphon the oil into another tank for secondary containment.

But the crew got an unfortunate surprise when that secondary containment tank started to leak.

Jimmy Martinez, the regional director of the Texas General Land Office said, "Oil has gotten into the secondary containment. We found 3 different locations where the oil escaped the secondary containment and now we have some free floating oil outside what they call a duck pond directly behind the facility here."

Crews from the environmental protection agency's emergency response team have flown in from Dallas. They are here to oversee the operation; specifically monitoring the oil's proximity to the coastline, and making sure that oil does not run into redfish bay.

No injuries to humans to report, but four oily birds were taken to the ARK in Port Aransas.

The EPA has previously classified this area as a potentially hazardous zone back in 2002.

The clean-up will continue all day Thursday. (Story by Spencer Lubitz)

ACI Definition of Hazmat

2010-01-17T10:33:00.000-08:00

A hazardous material is defined as having one or more of the following characteristics: ignitable (NFPA 49), corrosive, reactive, or toxic. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-listed wastes are organized into three categories under RCRA: source specific wastes, generic wastes, and commercial chemical products. Source specific wastes include sludges and wastewaters from treatment and production processes in specific industries such as petroleum refining and wood preserving. The list of generic wastes includes wastes from common manufacturing and industrial processes such as solvents used in degreasing operations. The third list contains specific chemical products such as benzine, creosote, mercury, and various pesticides.

Applicability of SPCC Rules Summarized

2009-12-21T10:23:00.000-08:00

The following sets forth the types of sources subject to the SPCC rule; the coverage has not changed substantially from the 2002 version of the SPCC rule:

The SPCC rule applies to owners or operators of non-transportation-related facilities that:

Drill, produce, store, process, refine, transfer, distribute, use, or consume oil or oil products; and
Could reasonably be expected to discharge oil to U.S. navigable waters or adjoining shorelines.

Facilities are subject to the rule if they meet at least one of the following capacity thresholds:

Aboveground oil storage capacity greater than 1,320 U.S. gallons, or completely buried oil storage capacity greater than 42,000 U.S. gallons.

The following are exempt from the rule:

Containers with a storage capacity less than 55 U.S. gallons of oil;
Permanently closed containers;
Motive power containers;
Wastewater treatment facilities;
Hot-mix asphalt and hot-mix asphalt containers;
Residential heating oil containers at single family residences;
Pesticide application equipment and related mix containers;
Completely buried storage tanks subject to all the technical requirements of the underground storage tank regulations;
Intra-facility gathering lines subject to U.S. Department of Transportation’s pipeline regulations; and Underground oil storage tanks at nuclear power generation facilities.

This article was authored by Barbara D. Little, Jackson Kelly PLLC. For more information on the author see here.

EPA SPCC Rule Deadline January 14th, 2010

2009-12-02T13:32:00.000-08:00

On November 5, 2009, the EPA Administrator signed a notice amending certain requirements of the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule in order to address additional areas of regulatory reform that have been raised by the regulated community. The November 2009 amendments revise the December 2008 amendments as a result of EPA's review of comments and consideration of all relevant facts. EPA is either taking no action or providing minor technical corrections on the majority of the December 2008 provisions. However, this action modifies the December 2008 rule by removing the provisions to: exclude farms and oil production facilities from the loading/unloading rack requirements; exempt produced water containers at an oil production facility; and provide alternative qualified facilities eligibility criteria for an oil production facility.

Additionally, because of the uncertainty surrounding the final amendments to the December 5, 2008, rule and the delay of the effective date, EPA will propose to extend the compliance date.

This rule is effective January 14, 2010.

The Final "We Contain More" Magazine for 2009 Just Published

2009-11-20T10:05:00.000-08:00

JP Specialties is pleased to have published our final issue of "We Contain More" magazine for 2009. The quarterly publication covers information important to Engineers, Contractors, and Owners of environmental engineered concrete structures. Please click the link and download your copy today.

Expansion Board Cap Waterstop — A Short On-Line Introductory Presentation

2009-11-04T13:25:00.000-08:00

We have just posted a short introduction to our integrated cap system, waterstop profiles (JPEB350, JPEB375, et al). Additional information is available from our Technical Sales staff. Expansion board cap waterstop profiles are designed to be installed over the expansion joint filler board, negating the need for form-splitting and post-applied sealant, while simultaneously providing a fluid-tight waterstop seal embedded in the concrete. Click here for an introduction.

ACI Draft Standard Available for Public Discussion

2009-10-12T13:06:00.000-07:00

The American Concrete Institute has posted a draft standard of 350.1 — Specification for Tightness Testing of Environmental Containment Structures (ACI 350.1) and Commentary. Per ANSI-approved standardization procedures the Draft Standard is currently open for public discussion. Click on the title to review the draft.

JP Specialties is a Proud Corporate Sponsor of "Rhythm on the Vine" Benefiting Shriners Hospital for Children

2009-08-18T17:38:00.000-07:00

JP Specialties, Inc., the leading manufacturer of chemical resistant waterstop (Earth Shield®) and waterstop accessories is proud to sponsor "Rhythm on the Vine", benefiting Shriners Hospital for Children. Mark your calender (September 12th, 2009) and join us for a night of smooth jazz with Kenny G at the beautiful South Coast Winery in Temecula, CA.

South Coast Winery combines a working winery with luxurious sanctuary—peaceful walks through the vines, winery tours and tastings, gourmet food paired with award-winning wines, vineyard views from a villa terrace with the highest standards of service. A slightly romanticized version of the vintner lifestyle. Located 50 miles north of San Diego and 90 miles southeast of Los Angeles, South Coast Winery Resort and Spa is in the heart of Temecula's Wine Country, part of the Inland Empire Region of Southern California.

Driving Directions: From I-15 exit Rancho California Road and travel east approximately 10 miles, through Temecula Wine Country. South Coast Winery Resort & Spa is located at the corner of Rancho California & Anza Roads.

All Earth Shield Waterstop Profiles Are Now Available With Factory Installed Brass Eyelets

2009-07-03T09:53:00.000-07:00

New for 2009, all ribbed Earth Shield Waterstop profiles are available with factory installed brass eyelets. The eyelets provide for a convenient and durable tie-off point for wire tying the waterstop to the steel reinforcement prior to the concrete pour. JP Specialties installs the brass eyelets at 12" centers, between the last two ribs, to provide maximum resistance and rigidity to the poured concrete weight.

Note to specifier: To add factory installed brass eyelets to your Earth Shield specification, simply precede the specified part number with "EY." Example: If you are specifying JP636 and want the optional eyelets, call out part number EYJP636.

New Earth Shield Waterstop Featured In Concrete International Magazine

2009-07-02T14:12:00.000-07:00

Earth Shield's newest retrofit profile (part no. JP621L) is featured in the July 2009 issue of Concrete International magazine. A direct link to the Special Products & Practices Showcase article can be found here. We appreciate the editorial staff at CI for introducing their readership to our newest innovative product.

"We Contain More" Magazine, Volume 1, Number 2, Now On-line

2009-06-11T09:54:00.000-07:00

The newest issue of "We Contain More" is now posted on-line. This issue covers the differences between TPEs and TPVs, and previews a new product for secondary containment, concrete cold joints. Featured project is Ruwais Refinery in the UAE. As always, we appreciate your readership, and consider it our responsibility to the industry to educate and inform.

We're Looking for a New Sales Engineer

2009-04-30T14:24:00.000-07:00

If you're a recent engineering graduate with a PE license (or an EIT working towards your PE), JP Specialties is very interested in hearing from you. We're currently looking for a new sales engineer, someone with outstanding people skills and the ability to comprehensively learn our product line. If this is you, please click this link and follow all posting requirements. (No phonecalls, walk-ins, or faxes accepted.)

JP Specialties Posts All New MSDS Sheets for 2009

2009-04-17T08:18:00.000-07:00

For all users of our products, we have posted in our Tech Library brand new, updated MSDS sheets for all our products.

Ruwais Refinery Chooses Earth Shield for Sulfur Expansion

2009-04-01T08:54:00.000-07:00

Earth Shield is proud to be a major, critical component in the secondary containment system for the Ruwais Refinery Sulfur Expansion project in the United Arab Emirates. Earth Shield products were chosen for their proven hydrocarbon resistance and long lifespan. A variety of different profiles were utilized on the project including tear web and integrated expansion board cap.

New Strip Applied Waterstop for Aqueous Hydrocarbon Containment Applications

2009-03-16T11:05:00.000-07:00

Volume 1, Number 1 of "We Contain More" Now On-line

2009-02-25T13:17:00.000-08:00

The premier issue of our electronic magazine — We Contain More — is now live and available for download on the www.jpspecialties.com website. The inaugural issue covers the brand new CFR 112 regulations and is recommended to all our engineering and owner clients. Download your free copy today.

PVC Dumbbell Waterstop Leaks in Louisiana Floodwall

2008-12-16T14:35:00.000-08:00

I've always been somewhat surprised by the Corps of Engineers continued use of PVC dumbbell waterstop in their flood control and dam projects. After Hurricane Katrina hit, and large portions of floodwall needed to be repaired or replaced, the COE's design still called out for this largely out-dated style of waterstop. Dumbbell waterstop functions like a cork in a bottle, with the large end bulbs simultaneously acting as both anchors and internal dams. Historically, dumbbell waterstop is one of the leakiest varieties of waterstop, as the large end bulbs when pulled under tension distort to an elliptical shape, while the concrete cast against them remains in a round shape and therefore creates an annular void for water to migrate through.

Now, large portions of the rebuilt floodwall in Kenner, LA are leaking and expensive repair procedures are taking place. I would imagine that simply by specifying a ribbed centerbulb waterstop this entire failure could have been avoided.

New Retrofit Waterstop Profile Accommodates Very Large Joint Movements

2008-12-09T12:20:00.000-08:00

JP Specialties, Inc. has developed a new Earth Shield® waterstop product specifically designed to accommodate large shear movements, such as tank ring foundations subjected to settlement. The JP621L Retrofit Waterstop System is chemically and mechanically adhered to the existing concrete using one of our chemical resistant, novolac epoxies (VEN500 or VEN1000), stainless steel batten bar, and stainless steel anchor bolts. The waterstop profile is combed along the fastening leg, which facilitates the epoxy bonding to the profile. The embedded waterstop leg has two large polymer dams which are designed to create a torturous fluid path and simultaneously perform as anchor points for the new concrete to bond to. The JP621L profile has a large, tear-web centerbulb that can move greater than five inches without deformation of the waterstops main body. (The thin diaphragm, or "tear-web", ruptures under shear stress, allowing the "U-bulb" to move freely for its entire length when installed in an open joint.) JP621L Retrofit Waterstop can be heat welded to a continuous, fluid-tight barrier, like all our Earth Shield® waterstop profiles, and can be joined to our baseseal (or rearguard) profiles for intersecting joints.

Louisiana Floodwall Expansion Joints Stuffed With Newspaper — Waterstop and Joint Integrity Compromised

2008-09-11T21:08:00.000-07:00

Introducing CAPwrap...

2008-08-27T14:50:00.000-07:00

CAPwrap™ creates a fluid-tight barrier with its two embedded polymer anchor dams. The CAPwrap system functions as an internal waterstop between round pipes or columns and the concrete that is cast against them.

Port Arthur Refinery Project Chooses Earth Shield

2008-08-19T15:03:00.000-07:00

The oil refinery in the Gulf Coast city of Port Arthur is the oldest in Texas. Soon, it will be the largest refinery in the United States.

Under contract to Motiva Enterprises LLC, a joint venture of Bechtel and Jacobs Engineering Group is expanding the Port Arthur Refinery, a project that will increase its capacity from 275,000 to more than 600,000 barrels a day. Underscoring the size of the project is the amount material and equipment it will require: 260,000 cubic yards of concrete, 2.4 million feet of pipe, 5.6 million feet of cable, 54,000 tons of structural steel, and nearly 300 modules, each weighing more than 1,200 tons.

The construction phase of the expansion began in the fall of 2007. Completion is scheduled for 2010. At peak construction, the project will employ between 5,000 and 6,000 workers.

The Port Arthur refinery went into operation in 1903, following a gusher and oil boom in nearby Beaumont. The refinery played an important part in the production of high-octane aviation fuel in World War II. Today it is operated by Motiva, a joint venture of Saudi Refining, Inc. and Shell.

JPS HQ Refurbished and Remodeled From The Ground Up

2008-08-15T13:24:00.000-07:00

We're pleased to show off our newly remodeled and refurbished plant located in Lake Elsinore, CA. Both aesthetic (to the building) and mechanical upgrades (to the extrusion area and fabrication shop) were completed over the last several months. Major evolutions included epoxy injection repair, new roofing, HVAC upgrades, ventilation upgrades throughout factory, bathroom remodel, water-blast and paint. The newly freshened-up factory will serve JPS needs as we continue to grow our product lines and take on new markets.

Our Website Optimized for Slow Connections

2008-05-23T15:22:00.000-07:00

Designed for people with dial-up or slow internet connections. If this is you, pay it a visit!

Some Simple Waterstop Formulas

2008-05-23T12:49:00.001-07:00

I was recently in a long call with an engineer client and many of the questions he was asking, were answered directly in an old document we use to publish in our catalog. I searched through the hard-drive, found the document, converted it to a PDF, and posted it here.

This PDF contains some typical waterstop formula for placement and design considerations and some interesting information on leakage testing.

Welding Earth Shield Stainless Steel Waterstop

2008-04-20T18:26:00.000-07:00

New Waterstop Catalog for Distributors

2008-02-28T07:48:00.000-08:00

A new Earth Shield Waterstop catalog designed especially for the needs of concrete accessories distributors was published on our website today. This catalog is a compressed version of our regular catalog and contains the information most relevant to our distribution partners and omits some of the extra data that our engineering clients require.

New Site Design Went Live

2008-01-01T14:48:00.000-08:00

Our new website design is now officially "live" and available for all your waterstop information needs. This is the first major redesign since 2000, and I feel it lives up to the functionality of its predecessor, while being more aesthetically pleasing.

Please stop by for a visit and let me know what you think.

JP Specialties Coming to a Language Near You

2007-11-30T20:49:00.000-08:00

Our site just went live in eight foreign languages (courtesy of Google Translation) including Spanish, Arabic, Japanese and others. If English is not your primary language, and you need information on waterstop, make sure you stop by our site.

JP EBCap Waterstop Welding

2007-04-29T16:29:00.000-07:00

JP636 Waterstop Expansion Joint

2006-11-03T18:42:00.000-08:00


Movie file illustrates the proper placement of Earth Shield® (part no. JP636 as manufactured by JP Specialties, Inc.) ribbed centerbulb waterstop in a concrete expansion joint. 3-D orbit point isometric. For help with your specific waterstop application, consult with JP Specialties technical sales & engineering staff.

Waterstop Welding with the ST-10 Splicing Table

2006-11-02T12:10:00.000-08:00


Demonstrates the proper welding of Earth Shield Waterstops. Thermoplastic waterstop welding.

Earth Shield® Achieves GreenSpec® Certification

2005-12-19T15:14:00.000-08:00

Today I achieved another milestone for my company and the product we manufacture — Earth Shield® Chemical Resistant Waterstop — by becoming the first (and only) waterstop in the world to achieve GreenSpec® approved status.

Greenspec is a publication of BuildingGreen, Inc. that independently evaluates construction material's "greenness". Products are considered "green" when they are eco-friendly and contribute to the sustainable design of a structure. Click here for more info.

GreenSpec independently evaluates materials for inclusion to their directory, so the subjective nature can make for a protracted submission process .

Thermoplastic Vulcanizate Waterstop

2005-11-09T14:10:00.000-08:00

Waterstop Basic Use
Earth Shield Thermoplastic Elastomeric Rubber Waterstop (TPE) is used as a fluid-tight diaphragm, embedded in concrete, across and along the joint, for primary and secondary containment structures. Earth Shield Chemical Resistant Waterstops are resistant to a wide range of oils, solvents, and aggressive chemicals. Alcohol, ketones, glycols, esters, and aqueous solutions of acids, salts, and bases have little effect on Earth Shield TPE-Rubber Waterstop.

Unlike polyvinyl chloride (PVC) waterstop, Earth Shield waterstop contains no plasticizer, stabilizer, or filler to leech out when exposed to chemicals, fuels, and aggressive industrial fluids. Also, unlike PVC waterstop, Earth Shield can withstand prolonged exposure to high and low temperatures (-78°F to 275°F long term) without detrimental effect.

The superior chemical resistance of Earth Shield TPE-Rubber Waterstop is enhanced by the use of a ribbed centerbulb configuration, which is available in a 4, 6, and 9-inch width. This provides for greater mechanical bonding with the concrete and a barrier against migration of liquid flow around the waterstop. The ribbed centerbulb style also allows for joint movement and may be used in above or below grade applications. Additional shapes are available for retrofit, extreme expansion, stainless steel and base seal applications.

Different varieties and grades of TPE are commercially available. On the low-end there is thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), which has a rubber phase that is not cross-linked. On the high-end there is thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV)... Earth Shield has chosen a fully cross-linked TPV as our standard elastomer compound, which provides superior mechanical properties, retention, and chemical resistance. In fact, when compared side-by-side, no competitive product is even close to achieving the physical properties of Earth Shield.

Earth Shield waterstop is suitable for use in potable water and is certified per NSF/ANSI Standard 61. Earth Shield is the only embedded waterstop to achieve this important certification.

Typical Applications
Primary and Secondary Containment
Waste Water Treatment Plants
Ozone Contactor Structures & Water Treatment
Refineries
Mining Facilities
Fueling Areas
Chemical Plants
Manure Pits
And Many More