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to the Problems Associated with Replacing a Piping System Within a Historical Building |
Los Angeles, CA - January 2001 - A historic landmark, the
Regal Biltmore with 683 guest rooms and 52 lavish suites, has been home
to presidents, kings and Hollywood celebrities since it opened in 1923.
It is the only hotel in downtown Los Angeles that has been awarded four
stars and 4 diamonds for seven consecutive years.
To meet the demands associated with maintaining a world class and historical
hotel facility, Director of Engineering at the Los Angeles Biltmore, Mr.
John McIver is often challenged to solve unique engineering problems.
Researching the causes and cures of pipe corrosion, questions and answers surrounding matters such a health, corrosion prevention and product durability in the search of a long term solution were addressed. It was clear that from a health perspective that internal corrosion of piping systems raised significant health concerns. A study in the Wisconsin Medical Journal stated: �copper contaminated drinking water maybe a fairly common cause of nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and headaches especially among residents of new or recently remodeled homes.� The issue of harmful heavy metals leaching into the drinking water showed that the source of lead poisoning from water contamination was generally not in the community water supply but in the buildings piping system. The American Water Works Association (AWWA) outlined actions to limit exposure to the leaching of harmful heavy metals and among those actions was the lining of water service lines. Understanding how corrosion worked in metallic piping systems showed that the best method of corrosion control also was to prevent water to metal contact. The most effective solution to stopping corrosion was to apply a barrier coating to the interior of the walls of the piping system. With what and how could it be done was the next series of questions. The answers to those questions was pipe restoration, a process developed by ACE DuraFlo Systems, LLC, headquartered in Orange County, CA. The ACE DuraFlo system restores piping systems right within the walls of a building. No walls to cut out, no pipes to take out or replace, no asbestos to handle or dispose of. In the case of a hotel, little, if any, lost room revenue was an added benefit. Working in a fully operating historical hotel facility was an added challenge. ACE DuraFlo Systems had iust that experience having recently completed the restoration of 2 major historic hotel properties in Seattle WA. Engineering staff at the hotel were now convinced that pipe restoration was the answer and a project schedule and project cost was worked out with ACE EnviroTech, Inc., a licensee for ACE DuraFlo� Systems, LLC. The restoration project at the Regal Biltmore encompassed a combination of hot and cold water lines ranging in size from ½� to 3�, metallic make up included copper, brass and galvanized. Water service lines to 81 rooms were restored over a 10 day period. No restorative work was needed to walls, ceilings or bathroom areas. Asbestos abatement was not an issue as pipes were accessed away from any asbestos coverings. No direct loss of room revenue was attributed to the pipe restoration process, as the rooms identified to be taken off line were excess inventory owing to seasonal occupancy. The pipe restoration process was quiet enough so as to not disturb any of the on location filming that was being done at the hotel. Pipe restoration was being completed on the same floors as the filming of the TV series West Wing. Even the Back Street Boys new video was shot on location and on the same floor as the pipes were being restored. The ACE DuraFlo System of in-place pipe restoration epoxy coating is listed by UPC®. The ACE DuraFlo internal pipe coating process and product are approved for use by The City of Los Angeles. WISCONSIN MEDICAL JOURNAL. Gastrointestinal Upsets and
New Copper Plumbing- is there a Connection? KnobelochL., January 1998
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ACE DuraFlo Systems, LLC
ACE DuraFlo Canada, Inc.
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