SECTION 03420

PRECAST REINFORCED CONCRETE VAULTS

THIS SPECIFICATION SECTION RELATES TO STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS AND SHALL BE

EDITED ONLY BY THE STRUCTURAL ENGINEER OF RECORD FOR THE SPECIFIC PROJECT.

PART 1 - GENERAL

1.01 DESCRIPTION:

A. Provide factory-built precast reinforced concrete underground vaults as indicated

and as specified.

1.02 RELATED WORK:

(NTS: Select and list specification sections for inserting into this subsection based
on the following:
1. Specification sections that contain products and construction that the reader
might expect to find in this section BUT are specified elsewhere.
2. Specification sections referenced in the body of this section.)
A. Section 02210: Earth Excavation, Backfill, Fill and Grading.

B. Section 02223: Screened Gravel.

C. Section 02615: Ductile-Iron Pipe and Fittings.

D. Section 03200: Concrete Reinforcement.

E. Section 03300: Cast-in-Place Concrete.

1.03 REFERENCES:

(NTS: Select the appropriate references to be included in the project. Add or edit
references as appropriate. Delete those references that are not applicable.)
A. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
(AASHTO):

1. AASHTO: Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges.

B. American Concrete Institute (ACI):

1. ACI 211.1: Standard Practice for Selecting Proportions for Normal, Heavy
Weight, and Mass Concrete.

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 2. ACI 301: Standard Specifications for Structural Concrete.

3. ACI 304R: Guide for Measuring, Mixing, Transporting and Placing

Concrete.

4. ACI 305R: Hot Weather Concreting.

5. ACI 306R: Cold Weather Concreting.

6. ACI 308: Standard Practice for Curing Concrete.

7. ACI 309R: Guide for Consolidation of Concrete.

8. ACI 318: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and

Commentary.

C. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Publications:

1. ASTM A48: Specification for Sewer Manhole Frames and Covers.

2. ASTM C31: Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in
the Field.

3. ASTM C33: Specification for Concrete Aggregates.

4. ASTM C39: Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete

Specimens.

5. ASTM C143: Test method for Slump of Hydraulic Cement Concrete.

6. ASTM C150: Specification for Portland Cement.

7. ASTM C172: Practice for Sampling Freshly Mixed Concrete.

8. ASTM C192: Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in
the Laboratory.

9. ASTM C231: Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by
the Pressure Method

10. ASTM C260: Specification for Air-Entraining Admixtures for Concrete.

11. ASTM C494: Specification for Chemical Admixtures for Concrete.

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 12. ASTM C858: Specification for Underground Precast Utility Chambers.

13. ASTM C1064: Test Method for Temperature of Freshly Mixed Portland
Cement Concrete.

14. ASTM D75: Practice for Sampling Aggregates.

D. Equivalent British/European codes and standards may be used; however, the

equivalency shall be demonstrated and submitted by the Contractor and
approved by the CM/CS..

1.04 SUBMITTALS:

A. Shop Drawings: Submit the following in accordance with Section 01300:

1. Completely detailed shop drawings for all precast concrete vaults. Indicate
all dimensions, details, reinforcing steel, inserts, connections, openings and
lifting devices. Mark each component for identification. Show mark on
erection plan and place legibly on unit at time of manufacture.

2. Properly completed Certificate of Design as specified under Section 01300.

B. Drawings of modifications or changes in features or details, which are

necessitated by, design requirements. Make all such modifications without
additional compensation.

C. Do not fabricate precast concrete vaults before shop drawings are approved by
the CM/CS.

D. A certificate of design shall be submitted to the CM/CS prior to the production

of the precast concrete vaults. The certificate of design shall be signed and
sealed by a Professional Structural Engineer employed by the vault
manufacturer.

1.05 QUALITY ASSURANCE:

A. Provide in accordance with Section 01400 and as specified.

B. Design Responsibility:

1. Complete the Certificate of Design form in Section 01300 and submit to

CM/CS prior to manufacture of precast reinforced concrete vaults.

2. Submit the following support data along with Certificate of Design:

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 a. Certification, signed and sealed by a Professional Structural
Engineer employed by the vault manufacturer stating that all
elements and connections are designed to withstand required loads
and forces.

b. Codes and specifications to which structural design conforms.

c. Do not submit calculations.

1.06 DELIVERY, STORAGE AND HANDLING:

A. Provide in accordance with Section 01610 and as specified herein.

B. Coordinate the delivery, storage, handling and installation of the concrete vaults.

C. Store vaults on clean blocking, off the ground and protected from rain and
ground splatter.

PART 2 - PRODUCTS

2.01 MATERIALS:

A. Concrete shall have a minimum concrete compressive strength of 5000 PSI [35
MPa] at 28 days and shall conform to Section 03300.

B. Steel reinforcement shall conform to ASTM A615, Grade 60.

C. Portland cement shall be ASTM C150, Type II.

D. Admixtures causing accelerated setting of cement in concrete shall not be used.

E. Screened Gravel: As specified in Section 02223.

F. Butyl rubber-based sealants shall conform to AASHTO M198, Type B but with
no bitumen content.

G. Non-Shrink Grout:

1. Masterflow 713 Grout by Master Builders, Cleveland, OH.

2. Fire Star Grout by U.S. Grout Corp., Old Greenwich, CT.

3. Upcon by Upcon Co., Cleveland, OH.

4. Or equal.

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2.03 PRECAST REINFORCED CONCRETE VAULTS:

(NTS: Edit lateral soil pressure criteria based upon Geotechnical report, but do
not use less than 95 pounds per cubic foot [1,500 kg per m3] equivalent fluid.)
A. Design Criteria:

1. Design precast reinforced concrete vault to withstand earth and

groundwater loads. Groundwater elevation shall be assumed to be at the
top of the vault. Provide design based on an equivalent fluid pressure equal
to 95 pounds per cubic foot [1,500 kg per m3].

(NTS: Include the following paragraph if vault is to contain internal fluid.)

2. Design precast reinforced concrete vault to withstand internal hydrostatic
and seismic loading. Internal fluid level shall be assumed to be at the top of
the vault. Provide design based upon an equivalend fluid pressure of 65
pounds per cubic foot [1,000 kg per m3].

(NTS: Edit loading and impact factor to suit project criteria.)

3. Design precast reinforced concrete vault to withstand AASHTO H-20
vehicle loading with an impact factor of 1.3. Design shall account for
vehicle positions both above and alongside vault including directly on each
manhole cover.

4. Design precast reinforced concrete vault ceiling to withstand additional

concentrated loads from lifting hooks located directly above each valve,
meter or other equipment. Each lifting hook shall be capable of supporting
the appropriate load, but not less than 2,500 pounds [11 kN].

(NTS: Edit ground water level and safety factor to suit project criteria.)
5. Design and install vaults to withstand hydrostatic uplift caused by a
groundwater elevation at grade level or equal to the top of the vault,
whichever produces the most severe condition. Use only the weight of the
vault and hold-down slab to resist hydrostatic uplift with a minimum safety
factory of 1.15. Do not include side friction of soil on walls.

6. Walls and floor slab shall be a minimum of 6 inches [150 mm] in thickness.
Cast lower wall section and floor slab together in one placement. Precast
reinforced concrete vault roof shall be a minimum of 8 inches [200 mm] in
thickness.

B. Provide precast reinforced concrete vault as indicated on the drawings. Vault

shall be a complete watertight enclosure including sumps and entrance tubes as
indicated.

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 C. Fabricate precast reinforced concrete vault in sections as required for ease of
installation and shipment.

D. Provide pipe sleeves with water stops, rubber pipe boots or other devices at pipe
penetrations as indicated.

(NTS: Select the following paragraph if entrance tubes are required. Entrance
tubes are required if the roof of the vault is not at or near finished grade. Delete
the following paragraph if entrance tubes are not required.)
E. Provide reinforced concrete vertical entrance tube with inside dimensions as
indicated.

(NTS: Select the following paragraph if manhole frames and covers are required.
Delete the following paragraph if manhole frames and covers are not required.)
F. Manhole Frames and Covers:

1. Castings to be free from scale, lumps, blisters and sandholes.

2. Machine contact surfaces to prevent rocking.

3. Thoroughly clean and hammer inspect.

4. Capable of withstanding AASHTO H-20 loading unless otherwise indicated

or specified.

(NTS: Omit following paragraph except where waterproofing required by

reviewing agency or Owner).
G. Bituminous Waterproofing Material:

1. H.B. Tnemecol 46-46S by Tnemec Company, Inc.

2. Amercoat 78HB by Ameron International.

3. Bitumastic 300M by Carboline.

4. Or acceptable equivalent product.

(NTS: Select the following paragraph if entrance hatches are required. Delete the
following paragraph if manhole access is the only entry into the vault.)
H. Entrance Hatches:

1. Provide aluminum hatches of the type and size indicated and as follows:

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 a. Fabricate hatch and frame with inch [6 mm] extruded aluminum
frame and inch [6 mm] diamond checkered aluminum plate
covers.

b. Reinforce cover, with aluminum bars and angles welded to underside

of covers, to withstand AASHTO H-20 wheel loading.

c. Provide hatch with hinges, hold-open safety-lock bars and flush lift
handles, factory assembled, and shipped complete for installation.

d. Provide stainless steel hardware throughout. Hinge covers to frames

with heavy duty stainless steel concealed hinges and stainless steel
pins. Attach hinges to covers and frames with countersunk/flathead
stainless steel machine screws. Covers shall fit flush to frame.

e. Provide slam latch, flush mounted grip handle, and removable plug
and key wrench.

f. Fabricate gutter type hatches with 1 inch [38 mm] drainage

coupling in one corner of the channel frame.

g. Provide ladder-up safety post.

(NTS: Edit the following paragraph to suit the equipment within the vault and the
capacities required.)
I. Provide lifting hooks in the ceiling above pumps, valves and meters. Each hook
shall have the capacity to hoist the equipment located below, but not less than
2,500 pounds [11 kN]).

J. Apply waterproofing to outside of walls, floor, and ceiling.

(NTS: Include the following paragraph if permanently installed access ladders ar

required.)
K. Provide aluminum access ladders as follows:

1. Fabricate from 1 inch [38 mm] IPS, Schedule 80 aluminum pipe upright
and 1inch [25 mm] solid round aluminum rod rungs, mortised and welded to
uprights. All welds shall be ground smooth. Tops of uprights shall be
closed, sealed and ground smooth.

2. Space aluminum rungs 12 inches [300 mm] on centers.

3. Securely fasten ladder to entrance tube and precast reinforced concrete

vaults with aluminum brackets and inch [13 mm] diameter stainless steel

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 expansion bolts.

4. Ladders shall conform to OSHA Standards.

(NTS: Use following paragraph for aluminum only, or when contractor is to have
choice).
L. Aluminum Steps similar to:

1. Stock No. 12653B made by Aluminum Company of America, Pittsburgh,

PA.

2. Stock No. F-14-2-B made by New Jersey Aluminum Co., New Brunswick,
NJ.

3. Stock numbers are for embedded steps, for steps to be attached after
casting, shape of exposed parts to be like stock numbers, but other ends
shaped to suit inserts.

(NTS: Use following paragraph for plastic coated only, or when contractor is to
have choice).
M. Plastic Coated Steel Steps. Minimum dimensions: Step width 14 inches [350
mm], distance from manhole wall 5 inches [125 mm] after installation. Equal to:
PS2-PF-SL Manhole Steps made by M.A. Industries, Inc., Peachtree City, GA.

1. Part number is for steps to be driven into preformed holes; for steps to be
driven into embedded plastic inserts, shape of exposed parts to be like part
number, but other ends to suit inserts.

2. The copolymer polypropylene conforming to ASTM D4101-82

PP200B33454 with a minimum carbon black content of 1/2% by weight or
other demonstrated equivalent sunlight protection system.

3. Steps shall be capable of resisting the following loads without loosening or

damaging:

a. Minimum horizontal pull out load 1600 pounds [7 kN] (800 pounds
[3.5 kN] per leg).

b. Minimum vertical load 800 pounds [3.5 kN].

PART 3 - EXECUTION

3.01 PROTECTION:

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 A. Protect aluminum from contact with dissimilar metals, concrete, masonry or
mortar.

B. Apply one coat of one of the products specified in Part 2 of this specification.

C. Before coating application, clean contact surfaces, remove dirt, grease, oil,
foreign substances, followed by immersing in, or wipe thoroughly with, an
acceptable solvent. Rinse with clean hot water and dry thoroughly.

3.02 FINISHES:

A. Finishes: After fabrication, aluminum ladders and entrance tube hatches to

receive an Aluminum Association Standard Anodic finish, Designation C22A31,
followed by a shop coat of methacrylate lacquer.

B. Damaged or worn coating of methacrylate lacquer shall be recoated with a new

coating of lacquer of the same type.

3.03 INSTALLATION:

A. Install precast reinforced concrete vault, and related appurtenances in

accordance with manufacturer's instructions.

B. Place precast reinforced concrete vault onto level prepared bedding as indicated.
Provide uniform bearing over entire base of vault.

C. Seal all joints inside and out with specified sealant to ensure joints are
waterproof.

D. Repair or replace damaged waterproofing.

E. Backfill vault excavation in such a manner so as not to damage the

waterproofing.

3.04 CONTRACT CLOSEOUT:

A. Provide in accordance with Section 01700.

END OF SECTION

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