Question 1

What are pipeline floats?

Accepted Answer

Pipeline floats, also called dredge floats or buoyancy modules, are clamp-on polyethylene bodies fitted around discharge pipes to keep a dredging or water-transfer pipeline afloat, aligned and visible on the water surface.

Question 2

How do I calculate how many floats I need for my pipeline?

Accepted Answer

Total float buoyancy must exceed the total weight of the pipe, the conveyed medium (water or slurry) and accessories. As a rule of thumb, floats should provide 20–30% more buoyancy than this total so the pipeline floats with roughly one quarter of its diameter above water.

Question 3

Are polyethylene floats suitable for seawater use?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Polyethylene is highly resistant to saltwater corrosion, UV radiation and chemical attack, and unlike steel floats it never rusts, which is why PE is preferred in marine environments.

Question 4

How long is the warranty period?

Accepted Answer

The warranty starts when the buyer hands over the goods to the investor and ends 18 months after that handover date or 12 months after the installation date, whichever comes first.

Question 5

What information is needed for an accurate pipe float specification?

Accepted Answer

Provide pipe outer diameter, pipe material and wall thickness, conveyed medium and its density, pipeline length, site conditions (river, reservoir, port or offshore), required freeboard, colour or marking requirements, quantity and destination port.

Question 6

Can floats and buoys be customised?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Float bodies are matched to the specified pipe outer diameter, and colour, marking and fittings can be adapted to project requirements. Custom rotomolded parts can also be produced to drawings.