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Strategic partners: Precast and preformed troughs and Fibrelite’s ‘made to measure’ FRP GRP trough covers

Custom Fibrelite covers installed in precast concrete manufacturer Trenwa’s troughs at major US sub-station
Concrete slab covers can weigh as much as five times the weight of an equivalent size Fibrelite GRP composite trough cover
Concrete slab covers can weigh as much as five times the weight of an equivalent size Fibrelite FRP GRP composite trench trough cover
Fibrelite trough covers are designed to be safely and easily removed by two people
Fibrelite trench trough covers are designed to be safely and easily removed by two people

Composite access cover manufacturer Fibrelite has formed strategic partnerships with a number of major manufacturers of precast and preformed troughs (also known as trenches, channels and ducts) in Europe and the USA (including Fibex and Trenwa) to create new collaborative product offerings integrating Fibrelite covers and precast and preformed troughs, combining the strength and longevity of precast and preformed troughs with the easy, safe manual removal and durability of Fibrelite’s lightweight composite covers. 

Custom Fibrelite covers designed & engineered to fit manufacturer Fibex’s preformed FRP GRP trenches troughs
Custom Fibrelite covers installed in precast concrete manufacturer Trenwa’s troughs at major US sub-station

Health and safety issues surrounding manual handling are of paramount importance to site managers. Without the necessary provision of dedicated lifting apparatus and training for operatives, traditional concrete and steel trough access covers can be a concern due to their sheer weight. Concrete slab covers can weigh as much as five times the weight of an equivalent size Fibrelite FRP GRP composite trough cover. Fibrelite covers have an industry leading strength-to-weight ratio and are designed to be safely and easily removed by two people, using the Fibrelite FL7 ergonomically designed lifting handles.

Driven by focusses on health and safety, weight, durability (no corrosion) and reduced installation time, FRP GRP composite access covers have moved from being a niche product used on petrol station forecourts to being specified at the outset of new build and retrofit projects for some of the world’s most prestigious brands in technology, data centers, centres, ports, airports, high-tech manufacturing facilities, utilities, infrastructure and many more.

“In recent years, the demand for highly customizable, customisable, high-tech access covering solutions has grown exponentially, and we’re proud of the part we’ve played in their adoption over the 40 years since we invented the world’s first. Since then, we’ve continually innovated, focussing on creating solutions to industry and customer challenges.” Commented Aaron McConkey, Fibrelite’s Marketing Manager “Partnering with precast and preformed trough/trench manufacturers was a logical next step, and I’m proud to say that, since we created our first partnership offering with Trenwa in 2014 we now have over 50 kilometers kilometres of our covers installed in precast and preformed trenches troughs across the globe”.

David Holmes, Fibrelite’s Technical Director added “We work closely with architects, contractors, and end users from tender stage right the way through to delivery and even installation where required. This collaborative process ensures that the supplied product fulfills fulfils both product quality demands and strict project completion deadlines. Fibrelite covers can be custom designed and manufactured with dimensions matched precisely to specified trough opening/rebate dimensions (Fibrelite’s adjustable tooling allows covers to be manufactured within millimeters millimetres of a clients requirement)”.

Recent installation: New build data center, centre, Northern Europe

Some clients favor favour a complete FRP GRP solution for both trenches troughs and covers. Where appropriate, this can further reduce installation costs and time due to their reduced weight for transit and installation. Earlier this year, Fibrelite engineered and manufactured 550 meters metres of custom trench trough covers for a new build data center centre in Northern Europe. These FRP GRP preformed trenches troughs were supplied with custom fit Fibrelite bolt-down covers, for added security.

Recent installation: Cruise ship terminal, UK

Fibrelite custom engineered and manufactured 500 meters metres of F900 (90-ton) (90-tonne) load rated FRP GRP trench trough covers to fit precast concrete trenches troughs at a UK cruise ship terminal. The stepped covers were supplied in a number of customized customised sizes to fit the trench trough configuration. The F900 load rated covers were stepped to reduce the unit weight in compliance with the customer’s specified manual handling limit.

F900 (90-tonne) load rated GRP Fibrelite trench covers in precast concrete troughs:trenches at a cruise ship terminal
F900 (90-ton) (90-tonne) load rated FRP GRP Fibrelite trench covers in precast concrete trenches troughs at a cruise ship terminal

For more information visit the Fibrelite website: https://www.fibrelite.com/precast-concrete-trench-covers/

ENDS

Notes For Editor

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About Fibrelite

Fibrelite is a global manufacturer of highly-engineered glass reinforced plastic (FRP) (GRP) composite access covers capable of taking up to 90 ton tonne loads whilst still being light enough to be lifted by hand and is renowned for its high quality technical support and service.

Initially developed almost 40 years ago and now industry standard for petrol station forecourts, Fibrelite covers are increasingly specified for both new and retrofit work in a variety of industries in more than 80 countries around the world. To find out more, please visit www.fibrelite.com

For more information, please contact Aaron McConkey (aaron@fibrelite.com +44 (0) 1756 799773)

Fibrelite; Snaygill Industrial Estate; Keighley Road; Skipton; North Yorkshire BD23 2QR

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Aaron McConkey

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