The determination statements of the English and Welsh water companies make it clear that wastewater will be one of the main focuses of AMP5, the spending period that starts this year and runs until 2015.

In anticipation of the increased demand for penstocks that this is likely to create, AVK UK has introduced its own AVK Sealschur range, which is manufactured in Germany and designed using pre-production Finite Stress Analysis to ensure optimum rigidity and eliminate any deformation.

Similar rigorous standards apply at the manufacturing stage, thanks to computer controlled laser cutting and robotic welding of the high quality stainless steel frame, door and spindle, available in 304 or 316Ti grades for maximum corrosion resistance. As a final assurance of reliability, the penstock’s sealing characteristics (which are far in excess of BS7775) are confirmed by hydraulic batch testing for tightness and rigidity.

Of the three standard options offered, the AP3 has three-sided sealing ideal for channel mounting in the size range 150mm to 3000mm. Wall fixing units have a elastromer seal between the frame and wall ready-bonded to the frame. Wall tolerances are 3mm for 300x300, 5mm (1000x1000) and 10mm (3000x3000).

With 4-sided sealing, the AP4 Penstock is intended for building in, but wall fixing and channel mounting are also possible. Sizes from 100mm to 600mm are available from stock with non-rising stems and to suit a duty of 6m on and 3m off seating heads. Wall tolerances are as for the AP3.

Top of the range is the Sealschur Safox which offers full sealing for wall fixing for bi-directional duty up to 6m with no fixings below the invert in sizes from 150mm to 2200mm. Its patented design is not affected by the frame instability and distortion that causes leakage from many other penstocks because its sealing system is independent of the frame.

Andrew Penny, AVK UK’s recently appointed wastewater product manager, says: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to sell this exciting range of penstocks, a product and sector in which I have a number of years’ experience.”