Page 19 - Trenchless Technology Piping Installation and Inspection

xviii Pr ef a c e

Chapter 9 covers two main areas of any construction and specifi-
cally trenchless technology project: planning and safety. Without a
good plan, there will not be a safe and productive project. Obviously,
planning starts at the project inception and continues with project
installation and completion. So all parties in a construction project
have a role in planning, but the initial planning conducted by the
owner and the design/consulting engineer has the greatest impact
over successful completion of the project. Among decisions made
and information collected during the initial planning include, project
objectives, surface and subsurface investigations, jobsite logistic
requirements, screening of alternatives and method selection, reason-
able and realistic expectations and tolerances, risk and hazard assess-
ment, contingency plans, and safety requirements. The owner of the
project has the main responsibility in the safe and productive comple-
tion of the project, as he or she set all the rules and expectations for
the contractor/installer to follow. Simply said, without a quality plan
and quality contract, there will not be a quality and safe trenchless
installation.
Concluding our thoughts will require an emphasis upon plan-
ning ahead, proper surface and subsurface investigations, proper
technology selection, appropriate design and specifications, quality
control and inspections, team play and partnering among all parties.
The best time to begin avoiding and resolving disputes is at the very
beginning by making absolutely sure that each party understands
the conditions on which the bid proposal is based. Contracts, whether
written or oral, should be carried out in good faith to their full
intent.
This book has addressed important aspects of typical trenchless
technology installation and inspections. It is intended as a reference
for design and consulting engineers, utility owners, pipeline pro-
fessional, government agencies, municipalities, contractors, manu-
facturers, professionals who are involved with planning, design,
construction, operation, and maintenance of underground pipelines
and utility systems. This book is also intended as a reference for
formal and classroom training of both young and experienced engi-
neers and pipeline professionals to complement knowledge gained
from field operations.

Mohammad Najafi, Ph.D., P.E.