Ottawa, IL — ASTM International, one of the world’s leading industrial standard-setting organizations, recently took favorable action on two standard practice proposals for the trenchless rehabilitation of the connection of a sewer lateral to a main using hydrophilic gaskets.

The first of these standards, ASTM F3240, is the standard practice for installation of seamless molded hydrophilic gaskets (SMHG) for long-term watertightness of cured in place rehabilitation of main and lateral pipelines. ASTM F3240 is the first and only ASTM standard that addresses seamless molded hydrophilic gasket sealing for all terminating ends of CIPP (mainline and lateral). This standard is guiding the industry to achieve long-term watertight rehabilitations and make cured in place pipe more comparable to new pipe more than ever before.

This practice covers the materials and the installation of a gasket with hydrophilic properties, positioned between the host pipe and the liner, which has been molded without seams into various shapes such as an elongated sleeve (end seal), Connection Seal (hydro hat), or O-Ring to form a long-term watertight seal to prevent infiltration and exfiltration. LMK Technologies is one of three companies that currently supply ASTM F3240 compliant materials.

This practice covers the materials and the installation of a gasket with hydrophilic properties, positioned between the host pipe and the liner, which has been molded without seams into various shapes such as an elongated sleeve (end seal), Connection Seal (hydro hat), or O-Ring to form a long-term watertight seal to prevent infiltration and exfiltration. LMK Technologies is one of three companies that currently supply ASTM F3240 compliant materials.

Secondly, ASTM approved updates to its longstanding F2561 standard practice for the rehabilitation of a sewer service lateral and its connection to the main using a one piece main and lateral cured in place liner. ASTM F2561 was first published in 2006 and then renewed in 2011 and 2016, and now again in 2017. This practice covers requirements and test methods for the reconstruction of a sewer service lateral pipe and its connection to the main pipe and up the lateral a maximum of 150 feet without excavation.

The newly revised ASTM F2561-17 standard now incorporates the use of a flange shaped hydrophilic rubber gasket (hydro hat) inserted into the connection that is designed specifically for the main to lateral pipe connection. It also requires O-ring gaskets at the terminating upper end of the lateral. ASTM F2561 ensures a watertight solution that equals the fifty plus year design life.

“As trenchless CIPP industry professionals, it is our duty to apply and practice the correct standards in order to remain a reliable source of quality engineered products and to ensure that utility rate payers and owners are getting full and best value for their money,” said Larry Kiest, Founder and President of LMK Technologies.

ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials) was established in 1898 and today has more than 12,000 ASTM standards and a membership of over 30,000 of the world’s top technical experts and business professionals representing 140 countries. Working in an open and transparent process and using ASTM’s advanced IT infrastructure, the members create the test methods, specifications, classifications, guides and practices that support industries and governments worldwide.