News

The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) is pleased to welcome its newest Fabricator/Installer Member, D&R Tarpaulins (D&R Tarps).  D&R Tarps is a manufacturer, supplier, and installer of all types of tarpaulins, liner products and environmental and fluid containment solutions. D&R Tarps specializes in the manufacture of pre-fabricated liners whereby all welded seams are undertaken in a controlled environment, therefore, eliminating the need for field seams thus ensuring the integrity of the liner. All of our products undertake a thorough QA/QC system whereby each seam is tested both visually and mechanically. For well over 30 years, D&R Tarps’ damn, tank and pond liners have been used across several industries, such as rural, mining, agricultural and domestic markets. The company headquarters is in Hemmant, Queensland, Australia and their FGI liaison is Jake Kemp, General Manager, who can be reached at jake@drtarps.com.au or www.drtarps.com.au.  Please help us welcome D&R Tarpaulins to the FGI!!!!

The FGI is offering an online Course and Certification Exam on Manufacturing, Fabrication, & Installation QA/QC for Geosynthetics

Schedule:
‍Jan. 24, 2023 12-1:30 p.m. CST Manufacturing MQA & MQC
Jan. 25, 2023, 2022 12-1:30 p.m. CST Factory CQA & CQC
Jan. 31, 2023, 2022 12-1:30 p.m. CST Field CQA & CQC
Feb. 1, 2023 12-1:30 p.m. CST Post Installation Maintenance & Leak Location
Feb. 1, 2023 - March 15, 2023 - University of Illinois - FGI CQA Online Certification Exam available

Register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3457212425750138124

Cost with Exam: $500 (includes all 4 course sessions and online exam)
‍Cost without Exam Cost: $300 (use discount code NOEXAM200 when registering)
‍PDH: 6.0 PDH for all 4 sessions

The certification exam will be available online following the conclusion of the 4-part course on Feb. 1, 2023. The $500 registration fee includes the online course sessions and one sitting for the online certification exam. A 6.0 PDH Certificate will be issued to those who attend all four online course sessions. A University of Illinois - FGI CQA Certificate will be issued to those who successfully pass the online certification exam, following the online course. For those who do not pass the exam on the first attempt, there is a $100 fee each time you register to re-take the online exam. For those not interested in taking the certification exam, the cost for attending the 4-course sessions is $300 (use discount code NOEXAM200) to register. Links to Parts 2, 3, and 4 will be sent automatically.

On November 18, 2022, Tim Stark visited the offices and factory fabrication facility of the Layfield Group in Lakeside, California. Tim met with Brian Fraser, Vice President, Strategic Business Development; Rob Rempel, Vice President, USA; Mike Da Silva, Director of Sales; Laura Quillen, Account Manager; and Nichelle Noel, Operations Manager (see Figure 1) to discuss current and future Layfield activities in North America. In addition, they discussed current and future FGI activities, including the new Spanish webinar series, which Mike and Laura will participate in, collaboration with IAGI, a new operation and maintenance guideline for water reservoirs, upcoming MQA and CQA training, and current University of Illinois research on EIA geomembranes and a carbon footprint calculator. Nichelle(see Figure 2) and Rob showed Tim their factory fabrication area and some floating cover projects undergoing fabrication. Afterwards, Brian, Tim, and Mike toured the recently completed Mt. Woodson Reservoir floating cover system (see Figure 3), which is featured in an FGI Project Spotlight (https://www.fabricatedgeomembrane.com/project-spotlights/mt-woodson-reservoir-floating-cover-replacement-ramona-california) that illustrates the advantages of factory fabrication and use of flexible geomembranes.

Dr. Stark hopes to visit the facilities of all FGI members to better understand each member’s business and how the FGI can provide additional benefit to them. The FGI is an exciting advancement in the geomembrane industry and allows the Institute to focus on all geomembranes that can be factory fabricated.

Monday, Feb. 6, 2023:
1:30-3 pm - Women in Geosynthetics Round Table

3:15-4:30 pm - Technical Session 1 - Applications of Fabricated Geosynthetics:
‍• PVC Geomembranes in Agricultural Uses
• Carbon Footprint Calculator
• Liner Payment Bases
• Case Study: Lake Forest Reservoir Relining & Floating Cover Fabrication & Installation
• Evapotranspiration v. Engineered Turf Covers for Landfill Final Closure
• EPS Geofoam Done Right: Saving Time and Money

Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023:
1:30-3 pm - Panel Discussion 1: How to Write a Good Geomembrane Specification

Wednesday, Feb 8, 2023:
8-9:30 am - Technical Session 2 - Fabricated Geosynthetics for Water Retention Projects:
‍• Designing & Constructing Geosynthetic Floating Covers for Municipal Water Storage & Treatment
• Operation and Maintenance Guideline for Geosynthetic Lined Water Reservoirs
• Case Study: Netherlands Motorway Underpass
• Case Study: Chambers Dam Reservoir Remediation
• PVC-EIA Alloys: Best Choice in Prevention and Protection of Water Resources

9:45–11:15 am - Panel Discussion 2: O&M Manuals for Geosynthetic Lined Water Reservoirs

The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) is pleased to welcome its newest Associate Member, QS.  QS provides independent testing of plastic materials and welded connections, as well as quality insurance inspection services for civil constructions, plastic films, pipeline projects, steel structures, and liquid-tight facilities.  In addition, QS provides certification services for renewable energy and raw materials. QS serves clients in the following industries:  waste, recycling and composting, earth, road and hydraulic engineering, renewable energy, and infrastructure. The company headquarters is located in the village of Bennekom in the Netherlands. QS is apart of the Normec group (www.normecgroup.com) and is accredited by the Dutch Accreditation Council for its Testing, Inspection and Certification services. All its accredited work is done and reported according to all the criteria and stipulations for independence stated therein. Their FGI liaison is Iljo Fluit, who can be reached at Fluit@qsbv.com or www.qsbv.com.  Please help us welcome QS to the FGI!!!!

On 8 August 2022 during atrip to San Diego, Tim Stark visited the offices and factory fabrication facility of Simbeck and Associates in Mancos (Main-Kiss), Colorado. Tim met with Duff Simbeck, Vice President of Simbeck & Associates (see Figure 1) to discuss current and future FGI activities, including the new operation and maintenance guideline for water reservoirs that Duff helped write, upcoming FGI webinars, MQA and CQA training, welder certification, and current University of Illinois research on action leakage rates, and carbon footprint calculator. Duff showed Tim some current factory fabrication projects and new fabrication capabilities for mainly public projects throughout the United States. Mancos, Colorado is the gateway to Mesa Verde National Park, which Tim toured the following day. Mancos can be accessed via Colorado Route-160, which is beautiful drive through the southern Rocky Mountains and includes the Wolf Creek Summit at Elevation 11,904 feet. If you are looking for a beautiful mountain drive or planning to visit nearby national parks, please stop by Simbeck & Associates at 38256 US-160 in Mancos and visit with the team at Simbeck & Associates.

Dr. Stark hopes to visit the facilities of all FGI members to better understand each member’s business and how the FGI can provide additional benefit to them. The FGI is an exciting advancement in the geomembrane industry and allows the Institute to focus on all geomembranes that can be factory fabricated.

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Highlights include:

- FGI's New O&M Guideline for Water Reservoirs

- New Geo-Engineering Pop Quiz

- Exciting Webinar Schedule for Second Half of 2022

- Revised Geomembrane Defect Leakage Calculator

- Safety First Tip on Proper Safety Glasses

Sioux Falls-based Raven Engineered Films announced the company will move forward as Viaflex. The new name and corporate identity follow the April 2022 acquisition by Industrial Opportunity Partners ("IOP") from Raven Industries and position the company as an independent, stand-alone business. The new name represents a combination of two words that honor and encapsulate the company's mission and culture:

• VIA, or by way of, speaks to the way Viaflex uses science, data, and the latest technologies to create innovative, comprehensive solutions to complex challenges, particularly as demand increases for sustainable solutions that safeguard the environment.

• FLEX, is a nod to the company's strengths, ability to react quickly, and industry-leading, best-in-class products.

"We are excited to launch the Viaflex brand and are committed to protecting earth and promoting industry,” said Scott Wickersham, Viaflex President and CEO. “Viaflex is focused on creating value for our customers by delivering excellent service, exceptional quality, and industry-leading innovation. We have a strong culture and have added more talent to our outstanding team in support of our new strategies." The company has distinguished itself across more industries than other plastics manufacturers. An innovator in developing and manufacturing thinner, lighter, stronger polymer film and sheeting solutions, Viaflex helps solve application and product challenges across the globe, including: agriculture, construction, energy, industrial, and installation services

Viaflex, as an independent company, can now focus on product and installation execution, supporting internal R&D and engineering teams, quality control, and strong industry partnerships to propel continued growth. The company’s rigid ISO 9001-certified management system supports the demand for new and more innovative solutions that enable customers across multiple industries to protect the environment, natural resources, property and business assets. "Launching the Viaflex brand is the next chapter for this great company,” said Dave Mackin at IOP. “This is an exceptional team with an unmatched and diverse set of capabilities. We are excited for the future of Viaflex." Learn more about Viaflex at www.viaflex.com.

This guideline recommends regular inspections and maintenance for geosynthetic-lined reservoirs.  A well-defined, site-specific inspection and repair program ensures long-term effectiveness of lined reservoirs.  Floating covers, similarly, benefit from an inspection program. Documented inspections enable operators to detect and address various signs of potential leakage – while minor and repairable. Without this well-defined operation, inspection, and maintenance program and its necessary documentation, many, if not most, geomembranes will develop signs that show a potential for leakage of the stored water and ultimate failure.

For complete Guideline, please click HERE.

On 10 June 2022 during a trip to Brisbane, Australia for the GeoANZ#1 Conference (a geosynthetics conference organized by the Australasian Chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society (ACIGS), Tim Stark visited the offices and factory fabrication facility of Fabtech in Adelaide, Australia. Tim met with Graham Fairhead, CEO; Mark Bennett, Construction Manager; and Daren Noonan, Factory Manager of Fabtech (see Figure 1) to discuss current and future FGI activities, including upcoming FGI webinars, MQA and CQA training, welder certification, and current University of Illinois research on action leakage rates, carbon footprint calculator, and various operation and maintenance guidelines. Tim also met with other Fabtech employees, SA Water representatives, and toured Fabtech’s factory fabrication facilities. Graham showed Tim some current fabrication projects and new fabrication capabilities including the ability to factory fabricate, test, and roll large tank liners (see Figure 1), floating cover system floats, hatches, and air vents, and development of panel layout diagrams to minimize field seaming. Mark Bennett also took Tim to observe installation of a new bottom liner system and floating cover for the Potts Hill Water Reservoir near Sydney, Australia on 15June 2022. Fabtech is designing and installing the 367,000 square meter bottom liner system and the accompanying floating cover for the Sydney Water Board, which makes it the largest in Australia.

Dr. Stark hopes to visit the facilities of all FGI members to better understand each member’s business and how the FGI can provide additional benefit to them. The FGI is an exciting advancement in the geomembrane industry and allows the Institute to focus on all geomembranes that can be factory fabricated.