Structural engineering team critical in emergency replacement project.
The American Public Works Association Michigan Chapter (APWA) recognized the City of Battle Creek, Michigan, with a Public Works Project of the Year award for quickly and safely restoring its biosolids storage tank cover. The award highlights the teamwork, engineering expertise, and strategic planning that allowed the City to recover from an emergency and return full functionality to the critical system.
During routine maintenance and minor upgrades to the City’s wastewater treatment plant, an explosion caused widespread damage to the biosolids storage tank and surrounding infrastructure. Luckily, only minor injuries occurred, and affected personnel were treated and released. The accident happened during welding work on the tank’s handrail outside the classified hazardous area. Unfortunately, atmospheric conditions and the absence of wind caused gas to collect on top of the tank cover and permeate the air to the walkway where the welding happened. The gas acted as a wick and sent a spark that ignited the gas inside the tank, resulting in an explosion with enough force to dislodge the tank cover from its supports.
The City responded swiftly, halting all maintenance activities and engaging Jones & Henry Engineers to assess the damage, evaluate safety protocols, and develop a solution and RK Davis to perform the construction. A collaborative effort involving engineers, contractors, and insurance partners resulted in a carefully designed 100-foot-diameter replacement cover meeting structural and regulatory requirements. Project completion occurred before the critical spring land application season, ensuring uninterrupted biosolids management and compliance with environmental regulations.
By addressing the emergency with urgency and innovation, the project strengthened the City’s wastewater infrastructure while reinforcing its commitment to sustainable waste management practices.
“Congratulations to everybody who worked on this project,” says Tyler Kindle, PE, Chief Project Manager in Jones & Henry’s Kalamazoo office. “Special recognition goes to Jean Pierre Nassaux, PE, and the entire structural engineering department for quickly mobilizing to assess the tank’s integrity after the explosion and for their key role in replacing the cover.”
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