RST Develops New Manhole Inspection System

R.S. Technical Services Inc. (RST) developed a new manhole inspection system, the Helix.

The Helix can be deployed from a CCTV vehicle, pickup truck, or ATV (when access is limited) and can scan a 10-ft manhole in under one minute. It has six high-resolution cameras that capture panoramic imagery of every surface, as well as six active 3-D sensors that record hundreds of thousands of spatial data points for precision measurements. Users are able to use the data to look around a manhole and take various measurements using the software from the office.

“While surveying manholes has always been a part of any sound Sewer System Management Plan, as these assets reach the end of their design life there is a growing recognition that they not only represent a true danger to the public and personnel, but are a major source of inflow and infiltration of ground and surface water,” said Bob Grenier, RST western regional sales manager. “The Helix will help municipalities address these serious problems.”

“The capabilities of the Helix have only begun to come to life, and I can say with absolutely no exaggeration that our inspection results had our clients immediately as excited as us,” said Chris MacDonald, Empipe Solutions.

The RST Helix Advance Manhole Inspection System includes the camera, cable reel, launching boom and wireless control unit. The system data is compatible with NASSCO’s MACP standard and will undergo the MACP 7 certification. The Helix is precision manufactured at RST’s plant in Petaluma, Calif.

Source: R.S. Technical Services Inc.