Skip to content

Method Statement 3.9 - Pipe Bursting

Document Information

Field Value
Document Reference MS 3.9
Issue Number 2
Issue Date 1 June 2026
Next Review 1 June 2027
Prepared By Sean Ashton
Approved By Aaron Mason, Director
Task No Task PPE to be worn Plant required Reference is made to the Team Pack risk assessment
3.9 Pipe Bursting As defined by on-site risk assessment Works vehicle and hand tools. Bursting equipment, winch. N/A

Hazards

  • Manual Handling
  • Stored Energy in the Pipe
  • Winch/Tractor Winch
  • Defective Plant and Equipment
  • Towing Techniques
  • Incorrect Loading
  • Insufficient Space
  • Light From Night working
  • Access
  • Pipe Bursting/Slip Lining Rig

Environmental Impacts

  • Noise
  • Dust
  • Light From Night working

Customer Impacts

  • Noise
  • Dust
  • Access

Training Required

As Per specific contract training matrix

Additional Plant and Equipment

  • Winch/Tractor Winch
  • Pipe Bursting/Slip Lining Rig
  • Mechanical Excavator

Permits Required

As Per specific contract specifications and Client requirements.

COSHH Assessment Required

  • 2 Stroke Oil
  • Diesel/Petrol
  • Line Marker Spray
  • Lubricating Spray

Sequence of Operations and Control Methods

Pre-Installation Preparation

  • The alignment of the proposed host pipe shall be determined, launch and receive pits shall be marked, saw cut and excavated giving due consideration to all fittings/service connections.

  • Boundary boxes, lateral pipe work and mains tapping of service connections along the proposed rehabilitation section shall be excavated and exposed prior to bursting.

  • Consideration will be given to any known obstructions such as bends, hydrants, air valves, repair collars etc all shall be excavated, exposed and removed as required.

  • All excavations shall be reviewed assessing the suitability of the pipe bursting; noting clearance between the host main and other utilities.

  • Where pipe coils are utilised they will be transported to site on a road worthy and sufficiently sized pipe coil trailer.

  • Pipe sticks shall be transported to site, stored in a secured area and prepared for welding prior to installation.

  • Where a stringer / over land / surface bypass is proposed to provide an alternative supply, they shall undergo the full chlorination and sampling processes prior to being brought into service.

  • Confirm that domestic and commercial customers have been notified of any planned interruptions to their supply.

  • Note: The use of stringers / bypasses is not considered to be normal practice for water mains rehabilitation and may only be used with the expressed permission of the client.

Pipe Installation

  • Valve operations agreed with Client Networks representative shall be carried out.

  • On the day of the burst the host main will be cut with sections removed within both the launch and receive pits.

  • The pipe bursting rig shall be lowered into the receive pit with crates/rods adjacent to the pit. Suitable ground anchors and /or thrust plates shall be installed.

  • The pipe bursting rig shall be started with rods individually added so as allowing for a continuous string of rods to be installed along the host main until reaching the launch pit.

  • After rods reach the launch pit, the pipe bursting rig shall be stopped allowing for the pipe bursting fittings to be assembled and attached, which include a pipe splitter, bursting head, towing head and the HPPE coil/string.

  • The rig shall be restarted, reversing the thrust direction so as hydraulically drawing the rods back to the receive pit along with the pipe bursting assembly and pipe.

  • The host main shall be split/burst by the bursting assembly allowing for the new main to be installed during passage.

  • As the rods arrive at the receive pit, they will be disconnected and placed back within the rod crates.

  • The process shall be repeated until the required installation length is achieved.

  • During pipe bursting operative shall monitor the rate of progress and level of effort exerted by the rig. Should an obstruction be encountered the rig will be stopped and the obstruction excavated and removed prior to recommencing.

  • The pipe line shall be jointed where necessary using Electro-Fusion Collars.

  • When jointing coils, two collars and a straight stick section will be used along with clamps to assist with alignment and reduce joint errors caused by an oval pipe has a result of coiling.

  • Location and number of collars will be marked on the ground for record purposes.

  • Fittings shall be installed as per construction drawings.