Fibrelite Provide Cadent Gas with Improved Lightweight Composite Alternative for Previously Installed Concrete Trench Covers

Project Overview

Fibrelite was approached by Cadent Gas to provide a long-lasting trench cover solution, which would alleviate some onsite issues associated with previously installed concrete covers at Winwick Road, Warrington. The key issues were:

  • Unsafe manual handling
  • Slow/inefficient access to valve pits
  • Health and safety concerns – heavy, cumbersome covers

As Fibrelite offers the very best strength-to-weight ratio available in the market today, we were the obvious choice for this project.

Fibrelite’s “fit and forget” retrofit replacement for previously installed eroding concrete covers

Problem

Previously, the removal and replacement of concrete trench covers was very time-consuming due to their sheer weight. The covers were extremely difficult to remove and replace safely, causing manual handling risks for operators.

For this project, the client required a heavy-duty covering solution which wouldn’t disturb the existing rebate. This creates an issue for some suppliers who would be unable to produce a custom cut design precise enough to accommodate this.

Previously installed covers were extremely difficult to remove and replace safely
The removal and replacement of concrete trench covers was very time-consuming
Fibrelite manufactured trench covers which were lightweight and maintenance free

Solution

The bespoke D400 composite trench covers were manufactured and delivered directly to the site within two weeks from order confirmation, keeping in line with the construction program programme. The trench covers were designed as a retrofit solution to the previously installed arrangement to meet the exact requirements of the customer. This included manufacturing at a variety of different depths and load ratings.

Manual handling risks were eliminated due to the thermoset plastic composition of Fibrelite covers, meaning that even at a heavy-duty load rating, the covers can be quickly and safely removed by two people using the ergonomically designed FL7 lifting handle.

In addition, the maintenance-free design of Fibrelite’s covers requires no specialist lifting machinery during service. Fibrelite trench covers are skid-resistant meaning that previous health and safety concerns have been dramatically reduced especially during periods of adverse weather conditions.

Results

Post installation, onsite staff at Cadent Gas have benefitted greatly from the ‘fit and forget’ solution which had been provided. Fibrelite’s long-lasting chemically inert covers will not contribute to the erosion of any components within the trench over time and can easily be manually removed by two people using Fibrelite FL7 lifting handle and so time is no longer wasted when conducting necessary work within the trench, as was previously the case during removal/replacement of cumbersome covers.

Fibrelite offers the very best strength-to-weight ratio available in the market today

CALL US TO DISCUSS YOUR PROJECT TODAY! + 1 919 209 2404 +44 (0) 1756 794 963

Unrivaled Unrivalled Strength-to-Weight
The Ultimate in Composite Engineering

Supplying to 80 Countries

Your Contact Details:

Your Company Details:

Your Inquiry: Enquiry:

This form collects your name and email address in order for us to answer your query and, should you choose, our newsletter also. Find our full privacy policy here.

Your Contact Details:

Your Company Details:

Your Inquiry: Enquiry:

This form collects your name and email address in order for us to answer your query and, should you choose, our newsletter also. Find our full privacy policy here.

STAY IN THE KNOW

Subscribe To Our Newsletter To Receive Our Latest Case Studies and up to date Product News