RIPA and Associates, civil and utility contractors based in Tampa, Fla., worked on two utility and infrastructure rehabilitation projects in the Tampa area. Both projects used trench shoring equipment supplied by Professional Shoring and Supply.

The first project involved road improvements to 7 mi. (11 km) of State/County Road 581 in Pasco County. RIPA installed several types of RCP pipe for water, and sanitary and storm sewer. The largest diameter pipe is 72 in. (183 cm) in 10 ft. (3 m) lengths. The project began in March 2009 and will be completed in May 2010.

The second project involved refurbishing an old storm sewer line near 46th Avenue and 62nd Street in Pinellas County, including adding about 6 mi. (9.6 km) of new utility RCP pipe ranging from 24 to 72 in. (61 to 183 cm) diameter. The Pinellas County project began in July 2009 and was completed in January 2010.

To facilitate the protection of workers fitting pipes in trench excavations, RIPA employed a series of trench shields to shore the pipelines. The trench shields, also known as “trench boxes,” consist of a combination of 20 and 24 ft. (6.1 and 7.3 m) long HT-6 series trench shields manufactured by Efficiency Production Inc. The trench shields have 6 in. (15 cm) sidewalls, and are either 8 or 10 ft. (2.4 or 3 m) high. Additionally, RIPA utilized a 4-sided modular aluminum Build-A-Box system to tightly shore around the installation of precast manholes.

All told, RIPA rented about two dozen trench shields from Professional Shoring and Supply for the two projects.

“The boxes are working great, no problems,” said Nelson Mehlman, project superintendent of RIPA and Associates. “And the Tampa crew at Professional Shoring and Supply are doing fine; they’re a good crew.”

RIPA & Associates provides a wide range of construction services. Founded in 1998, RIPA is a full service site development company specializing in: grading, paving, stormwater detention facilities, water, sanitary sewer gravity, (forcemains and lift stations), storm water systems, and roadway construction.

Professional Shoring and Supply is an official Efficiency Production Inc. trench shielding and shoring equipment distributor. Efficiency Production provides a wide selection of standard and custom trench shielding and shoring systems. Efficiency’s products are designed specifically for installation of utility systems and infrastructure improvements. All products are P.E. certified to meet OSHA standards.

For more information, call Professional Shoring and Supply, 888/777-8307 or visit www.efficiencyproduction.com.

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