2009-05-06

By Editor, CIR

Buildings erected since the last war face a potential drainage disaster due to poor pipe construction, a drainage inspection company claims.

Auger reports that materials commonly used after 1945 and into the 1970s are to blame for an increasing number of collapsed drainage systems.

The resulting damage could cost commercial developers and the taxpayer thousands as some major UK insurers are declining claims as their policy cover does not extend to ''wear and tear''.

"The problem revolves around the extensive use of 'pitch fibre' drainage pipes laid between the 50s and 70s," says Auger's business development manager, Peter Lawson.

"The material was much cheaper than the clay pipes that had previously been the standard, but they had a shelf life of around 40 years due a bad reaction to hot water, oils and fat.

"The result is that now, more than four decades on, pitch fibre pipes are essentially giving up the ghost in many areas."

However, the company says the early detection of the problem means a re-lining process can be carried out to prolong the lifespan and avoid the costly process of laying completely new drains.

Home     More News


Other stories you may find of interest:

New social and security issues make for a complex risk terrain in 2010
Uneven and uncertain economic recovery, coupled with new social risk and security issues will present business with a more complex risk terrain over the coming year

European firms offered risk financing platform
A risk financing decision platform, already offered to Aon's US clients, is being launched in Europe

Economy dominates risk thinking
A new report finds companies ill at ease with external threat pressures