Viega Climate Mat system installed to create innovative heated drying slab.

Viega was awarded Plastic Pipe Institute’s 2016 Project of the Year award in the building and construction division for its Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency heating bed project.

Each year, PPI, a manufacturing-based trade association representing all segments of the plastic pipe industry, recognizes member-company projects for significant achievements involving the use of polyethylene pipe.

“This system is self-operational and I’ve had zero maintenance issues with it from Viega’s side of things,” said Fred Uhler, plant manager, BBARWA. “Viega was able to answer our call for this unique project.”

The BBARWA, located in Big Bear, Calif., contacted Viega Radiant Design Services with a project that needed an innovative solution to reduce the water content and weight of sludge. Viega developed a heated slab for the sludge to dry on for enclosed and ventilated space.

BBARWA installed Viega’s innovative Climate Mat. Arriving on the job site in a pre-assembled roll, Viega Climate Mat is best for applications over 10,000 square feet and comes complete with temporary supply-and-return headers and tubing. Installation is as easy as unrolling and securing, so there’s no concern about proper spacing or laying individual circuits. The mat system is also pre-pressurized and numbered for accurate placement.

“Viega is truly honored to receive this award from our partners in the plastics pipe industry,” said David Desjardins, product manager, heating and cooling, Viega. “The BBARWA project showed Viega’s strength in designing solutions that can improve lives, reduce energy usage and help protect the environment.”

“As far as we know, this is the first time PEX tubing has been used to dry treated sludge,” said Tony Radoszewski, president, PPI. “Drying the sludge before it is trucked to the composting facility removes water to make it lighter, which saves a significant amount of money in transportation.”

The project used approximately 22,500 linear feet of 5/8-inch ViegaPEXTM Barrier crosslinked polyethylene tubing at nine-inch centers to make up the Climate Mats and cover the 16,000- square foot slab area. Before the slab was poured, the pre-engineered mat system was rolled out and installed in less than a day.