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District Energy Provider, Boston, USA

District energy network chooses Fibrelite’s composite steam manhole covers

Stage one – out with the old

A leading owner/operator of district energy networks in the US has chosen Fibrelite’s composite steam covers to replace cast iron manhole covers in the sidewalk.

Cast iron steam covers will conduct nearly all of the heat to the surface of the manhole cover resulting in potentially dangerous conditions.

Hot manhole cover on sidewalk pavement poses a threat to pedestrians
Hot manhole cover on sidewalk pavement poses a threat to pedestrians

District energy networks provide customers located within a central city district with heating and cooling services. Steam lines used to provide heat to apartments, retail stores and office buildings can give off excess heat and steam thereby creating a hot condition below a manhole cover located above the steam line.

Fibrelite composite frame installed in sidewalk pavement
Fibrelite composite frame installed in sidewalk pavement
Fibrelite F95 composite cover installed in frame
Fibrelite F95 composite cover installed in frame

How to eliminate the hazards – install Fibrelite covers!

The hazards of hot manhole covers can be eliminated with Fibrelite’s line of composite steam manhole covers. The thermal gradient properties of Fibrelite’s composite covers significantly reduce the heat transfer from a steam vault to the surface of the cover. Typically, the surface temperature of the cover will be slightly above the ambient temperature at street level even when subjected to extremely hot temperatures on the underside of the cover.

Fibrelite covers have been third-party tested to handle loads exceeding DOT H20 load ratings even when subjected to temperatures of up to 400°F.

Fibrelite F95 composite cover installed in frame
Fibrelite F95 composite cover installed in frame

Author:

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Jim Goodman

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