TAKE Eptec Newsletter
June 2019
Quarterly Release
CONTENTS Message from the MD
Linings & Waterproofing
Ourimbah Creek Bridge
HMAS Waller
HMAS Choules
Sydney Water
Full Cycle Docking works in South Australia
Major project in the New South Wales region
Preservation works in Garden Island, New South Wales
Bridge rehabilitation works on the Central Coast, New South Wales
Eptec celebrates a significant team achievement
across Australia. It has been encouraging to receive feedback from the industry and from the individuals that Eptec is seen as a desirable company to work for, and our application rate for position openings have reflected that.
Welcome to Eptec’s newsletter for June 2019.
On the Services side of the business, Eptec is working on one of the largest Linings & Waterproofing projects in New South Wales at the moment. We are pleased with the progress we have completed thus far, and I congratulate the team on their hard work under trying conditions.
Off the back of our previous edition, I’m pleased to announce that Eptec is still maintaining our period of significant growth, with well over 300 permanent employees
On the Marine front, I’m proud to announce that the AWD work in South Australia is progressing well. I also commend the team in Western Australia for their work over the
MD Message
last few months on the HMAS Sirius. I am pleased to announce that Eptec has recognised a number of individual safety initiatives under our Take 5+ Safety Program and further events are planned for the new financial year. Overall it’s been a very successful second quarter for 2019 and I look forward to sharing more good news with you in the new financial year.
Joe Viglione Managing Director & CEO
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NAVAL DEFENCE & MARINE
HMAS Waller, SA The Collins class of six Australian-built diesel-electric submarines is operated by the Royal Australian Navy with each submarine named after significant navy personnel who distinguished themselves in action during World War II. The Collins class was expected to be retired in 2026, however their class life has been extended into the 2030s and this is achieved by an extensive two year submarine maintenance program referred to as a Full Cycle Docking. Eptec Marine has been primarily engaged to undertake the blasting and painting requirements needed for a full cycle docking. The areas this typically includes are main ballast tanks, fuel tanks, a number of access compartments and the exterior of the submarine. Eptec successfully completed works on its first submarine, HMAS Collins, in October 2018, and at present has undertaken the first year of planned works on the HMAS Waller. Eptec’s scope of work has involved undertaking the setup, cleaning, blasting
Masked out key areas & removal of existing flooring compound
and painting of tanks, bilges, undercasings, flank areas and free flood spaces across 16 zones of a Collins Class Submarine. With the need to work side by side with other trade groups from ASC, such as mechanical, electrical and piping, a great amount of planning detail was put in place prior to works commencing, and this plan was reviewed and adjusted on a daily basis once works began to ensure certain tasks were completed on time and there was an efficient use of labour resources. In order to achieve an ambitious two year program Eptec has been operating in a three shift work pattern with overtime worked as required. As a result, Eptec has successfully achieved the five major milestones dates that were set by ASC and have played an instrumental role in completing the overall docking on time. As the final works are being completed on the HMAS Waller, we are well placed to continue works on the next submarine called the HMAS Dechaineux.
After photo of main galley deck
TRANSPORT & INFRASTRUCTURE
Linings & Waterproofing, NSW Eptec Services is currently in the midst of one of Sydney’s largest linings and waterproofing projects. For this project, Eptec has been contracted to work to tight schedules behind the excavation works applying the waterproof membrane systems ahead of the concrete form/rebar/ pour works. Our work effectively makes the underground cavern a large waterproof box or tank, hence the name for the type of system is a tanked system. Eptec’s work begins after excavation has commenced to the desired profile. The team applies shotcrete to the walls in order to smooth out imperfections and a blinding layer of concrete is applied to the floor to again even it out and smooth the excavation.
Excavation works and waterproof lining set up
EWP work
Once the surface is relatively even, Eptec covers all surfaces with heavy geotextile fabric which is held in place using nails and washers. The team also uses another an underlay sheet material in areas where further excavation work may cause slight movements or vibration. The majority of Eptec’s work is carried out from EWPs (Elevated work platforms) up to 20m off the ground. The Eptec team is made up of professionally trained applicators in specialised plastic welding equipment and techniques. We are an accredited applicator for the PVC system, and Eptec is committed to continually train our local workforce to ensure the most industry innovative methods are used.
Completion of waterproof lining
TRANSPORT & INFRASTRUCTURE
Ourimbah Creek Underbridge, NSW Eptec Services is currently contracted by Sydney Trains to work on a program of bridges across the NSW region. One of our latest projects is the Ourimbah Creek Underbridge, located between Ourimbah and Tuggerah Station. The bridge itself was built during the 1960’s, and consists of 3 spans of double train tracks. It is made up of main girders, cross girders, stringers and diagonal bracings.
“It is made up of main girders, cross girders, stringers and diagonal bracings.”
Eptec designed an initial program with mid week work, and three proposed shutdowns over several weekends. The works involved installing a complex
Site mobilisation
Encapsulation set up
scaffolding system to safely provide access to all steel surfaces, a full abrasive blast clean, provision of a suitable dust collection system, close monitoring of lead and suspended particulate during blasting, the removal of existing middle walkway gratings, and the installation of new walkways. Throughout the planned program, Eptec work has continued to progress safely and ahead of schedule. The project is now due for completion in mid July 2019.
Aerial view of Ourimbah Creek Bridge
NAVAL DEFENCE & MARINE
HMAS Choules, NSW The HMAS Choules (L100) is a Bay-class landing ship that served with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) from 2006 to 2011, before being transferred to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Recently Eptec Marine has been contracted by Thales Group to complete surface preparation works for the HMAS Choules tanks. Eptec’s works primarily involved a high pressure fresh water wash of all tanks, and surface preparation works to both the freshwater and water ballast tanks through methods such as abrasive blasting, mechanical descaling and abrading. After the preparation works were complete, the Eptec team then applied a full paint system to all tank areas.
HMAS Choules spotted off the coast of Brisbane © www.shipspotting.com
The initial scope of work specified 5500 sqm of tank repairs to be completed during the docking period, but with careful project management and an increase of personnel, the Eptec team finished over 6500 sqm within the same time frame. This achievement was only possible with a combined effort between the RAN, Thales Group, and the Eptec staff, supervisors, and crew. At any given time during the night shifts, there were close to 100 crew working in order to manage the workload within the docking period. Eptec is pleased to announce that all work on the HMAS Choules has now been completed on time and on budget.
HMAS Choules in Port of Sydney © Kenneth Lempert (pixels)
WHEN RISK MATTERS
Sydney Water Vent Stacks Team Eptec Group
Eptec Services have been contracted by Sydney Water to completed a program of Vent Stacks works since mid 2014 with a rotational crew and staff roster. Eptec would like to extend a warm congratulation to the Sydney Water Vent Stacks Team, both current and past.
P.O. Box 782 Broadway NSW, 2007, Australia 463-467 Harris St Ultimo NSW 2007, Australia t: +61 2 9034 6969 f: +61 2 9034 6970 e: eptec@eptec.com.au www.eptec.com.au
Their team work and organisational skills have been phenomenal, and as a result, they have now been awarded 12 months 100% KPI by Sydney Water. This is an excellent achievement, and with a continued group effort and perseverance, we look forward to announcing more KPI milestones!
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L - R: Andrew Cole, Philip Harvey, Maisam Mohammadi, Danny Lou, Moses Sua, Dominic Reyes Not Pictured: Jerry Leonardi, Lily Gerges, Sarah Kennar