The New Sydney Fish Market redevelopment is a landmark project aimed at creating a world-class facility that revitalises the waterfront and enhances the market experience for visitors and vendors alike. This ambitious build, situated directly on the harbour, demanded solutions that could withstand the unique challenges of a marine environment. As part of this transformation, Projex Group was entrusted with delivering reliable, water-tight solutions for critical basement pipe penetrations, vital in safeguarding the structure against saltwater infiltration.
Challenge
The basement of the New Sydney Fish Market needed secure seals for multiple types of pipe penetrations, including water supply lines, sewer systems, siphons, fire services, wharf services, and other essential infrastructures. These services use a variety of pipe materials, including MDPE, HDPE, galvanised and stainless steels, PVC, and copper. Penetration sizes ranged from 25mm up to 315mm. The structural strength of the basement slab and walls made core drilling impractical due to concerns about hitting reinforcement steel, which could compromise integrity and lead to rusting in the presence of water.
With its direct exposure to tidal changes and salt spray, the basement was a critical area demanding a durable, long-lasting sealing solution. After last minute pipe changes, timing became crucial: Projex Group was called to provide technical support and verify the Link-Seal installations just days before the harbour water was set to be released. Ensuring a flawless seal was essential to protect the infrastructure from immediate water ingress.
The project involved sealing over 40 pipe penetrations throughout the basement, each requiring precision to accommodate various pipe systems. This complex environment presented unique challenges, including alignment issues and the need for customised solutions, such as a custom split sleeve that Projex Group designed to address specific installation difficulties. The combination of these technical and environmental factors underscored the importance of using Link-Seal mechanical sealing system.
Solution
Projex Group collaborated closely with Planet Plumbing’s hydraulic design team from the early stages of the project. The team recommended Link-Seal and Century-Line Sleeves as the ideal solution, allowing the penetrations to be set up on the formwork and reinforcement, then cast directly into the concrete. This setup created a strong, stable foundation for the Link-Seal installation and eliminated the need for core drilling.
To accommodate the diverse range of pipe sizes and materials required for this project, different Link-Seal models and sizes were utilised, ensuring consistent performance across all pipe penetration seals. Link-Seal’s EPDM rubber sealing elements, coupled with nylon pressure plates, were selected for their resilience in extreme environments.
Custom Fabrication Solution
An unexpected alignment issue arose with one sleeve after the concrete pour. To address this, Projex Group designed and fabricated a custom external split sleeve that allowed a secure seal to be applied on the inside wall face. This tailored solution showcased Projex Group’s flexibility and commitment to solving challenges as they arose, ensuring the integrity of the installation and the longevity of the seals.
Outcome
The Link-Seal and Century-Line Sleeve system installed at the Sydney Fish Market was the ideal choice to seal the pipe penetrations and keep seawater out of the basement.
The Link-Seal mechanism provided an immediate seal for the penetrations, with no setting or drying time required—a critical factor in this project. Another advantage of using Link-Seal is its ease of maintenance; the seals can be easily inspected, adjusted, removed, and reinstalled as needed following initial installation.
This customised solution exemplifies Projex Group’s dedication to quality, expertise in problem-solving, and partnership with project stakeholders, achieving a successful outcome even in the face of complex challenges.
More about Link-Seal
Link-Seal is a modular, high-performance pipe sealing solution designed to create a reliable, leak-proof seal around pipe penetrations. These seals are commonly used in diverse environments, including concrete, steel, HDPE, and plastic barriers, offering flexibility across multiple applications. Known for its durability, Link-Seal withstands harsh environmental conditions, such as exposure to water, chemicals, UV, and extreme temperatures, making it suitable for industries like water treatment, oil and gas, and marine construction.
Link-Seal’s unique design enables it to form a hydrostatic seal up to 12 metres of water head, with models that are oil, temperature, and fire-resistant. Available in various sizes, Link-Seal can accommodate pipes ranging from 10mm to 3.6m in diameter, allowing for customised installations that address specific project requirements. Furthermore, it requires no post-installation maintenance, as the seals can be adjusted if pipe movement occurs. With quick installation and long-term reliability, Link-Seal remains a preferred choice for engineers and contractors focused on sealing integrity and corrosion resistance.