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Latest news from Fibrelite

Access all areas: How lightweight composite covers are making drainage and sewerage access safer

Due to the weight and difficulty in removing the covers critical time is lost in emergency situations
Corroded concrete infill covers being removed by a crane due to their weight
The Fibrelite D400 load rated covers can be easily removed and replaced using the FL7 lifting handles
Lightweight retrofit 40 tonne load rated Fibrelite replacement

Accessibility is a pre-requisite for almost every drainage and sewerage application. However, the weight of conventional heavy steel access covers can make removal and replacement time-consuming and cumbersome. While once steel or concrete were the only options, a new breed of composite cover is making the world beneath our feet more accessible than ever. As a result, drainage and sewerage companies across the globe are increasingly specifying composite covers where manual handling is key.

Accessibility is a pre-requisite for almost every drainage and sewerage application. However, the weight of conventional heavy steel access covers can make removal and replacement time-consuming and cumbersome. While once steel or concrete were the only options, a new breed of composite cover is making the world beneath our feet more accessible than ever. As a result, drainage and sewerage companies across the globe are increasingly specifying composite covers where manual handling is key.

Designed by Fibrelite, the global leader in the manufacture and development of FRP GRP composite manhole and trench covers, the new, lightweight alternatives have an unrivaled unrivalled strength to weight ratio, and provide the same load-bearing performance as their conventional counterparts. In fact, due to the lightweight properties of composite material, Fibrelite FRP GRP access covers are approximately one third of the weight.

This makes them simpler and safer to install and maneuver manoeuvre by hand, and eliminates the need for specialized specialised lifting equipment.

  As David Holmes, Fibrelite’s Technical Director, explains:

“Fibrelite are seeing an increasing number of inquiries enquiries for FRP GRP custom cover solutions in water and wastewater applications and more specifically in locations where there are manual handling concerns. Our design and manufacturing capabilities allow us to offer custom turnkey solutions that can replace failing metal and concrete covers in-situ thus eliminating the need for costly installations and extended site closures. The evidence is in the numbers, more than 5000 bespoke covers have been successfully installed in UK, Europe, US, even Antarctica”.

The two systems were adapted for Fibrelite trench covers for access from above
Custom Fibrelite covers have been installed in water treatment facilities around the globe – even in Antarctica (pictured)

Traditional, heavy covers are also prone to corrosion, with sand and water ingress being a major problem for operators and site owners. In the long-term, this can lead to costly damages and the need for regular maintenance.

In contrast, FRP GRP composite requires no maintenance and is resistant to corrosive materials – making it an ideal solution for many drainage and sewerage applications.

Furthermore, composite covers can be designed to fit almost any size, shape, aperture and load rating requirement – enabling effortless like-for-like replacement. It is even possible to specify different colors colours and custom covers that feature a specific logo or branding.

This freedom and flexibility make FRP GRP composites a natural fit for the demands of modern construction.

Fibrelite invented the first composite access cover over 30 years ago and are now specified by the majority of major oil companies, including locally: ExxonMobil, Total, ADNOC, Woqod, ENOC and OiLibya.

Fibrelite’s high performance composite covers can be custom designed to suit any specification in the company’s dedicated facilities in the UK, the US and South East Asia. A rapid design to delivery process, and a responsive local distribution network also guarantee fast turnaround times.

Since 2013, Fibrelite has been a part of OPW (a Dover company) allowing the company to offer an unprecedented portfolio of complementary best-in-class products.

Fibrelite: Over 30 years of composite expertise

Fibrelite, the global leader in the manufacture and development of FRP GRP manhole and trench covers draws their expertise from over 30 years of working with and being specified by the majority of the world’s leading oil companies including locally BP, Esso, Total, and many more. Look down on any gas petrol station forecourt, and odds are, you’ll see one of their covers. They actually invented the world’s first composite access cover back in 1980 for Esso UK (ExxonMobil) to solve manual handling injuries; and their covers are now specified in myriad industries globally.

Fibrelite is proud to design and manufacture in the UK for the UK, enabling a rapid design to delivery process.

Since 2013, Fibrelite has been a part of OPW (a Dover company) allowing the company to offer an unprecedented portfolio of complementary best-in-class products.
For more details on how and where Fibrelite covers are being adopted, check out their case studies here.

ENDS

Notes For Editor

Full quality images can be found on our MyNewsdesk Service

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