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District Energy Provider,
Minneapolis, USA

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Fibrelite work with district energy provider to replace aluminum aluminium steam vault covers in busy pedestrian area

As part of a refurbishment program to replace/re-lag steam lines in Minneapolis a leading district energy provider has chosen Fibrelite’s FRP GRP composite steam trench panels to replace aluminum aluminium vault covers in the sidewalk.

Aluminum Aluminium steam vault covers will conduct nearly all of the heat to the surface of the cover resulting in potentially dangerous conditions.

District energy networks provide customers located within a central city district with heating and cooling services. Steam lines are used to provide heat to apartments, retail stores and office buildings and can give off excess heat and steam thereby creating hot conditions in the steam vault above the steam line. In an effort to reduce heat transfer aluminum aluminium and other metal covers are often insulated on the underside.

Previously installed aluminum aluminium covers - known for conducting heat to the surface
Previously installed aluminum aluminium covers - known for conducting heat to the surface
Degraded thermal insulation beneath the old aluminum aluminium vault covers
Degraded thermal insulation beneath the old aluminum aluminium vault covers
A view from the other side
A view from the other side

Lightweight for easy and safe manual removal, without compromising on strength

Fibrelite’s composite FRP GRP trench access covers are proven to be ergonomically safe for men and women to remove and replace and are perfect for access to steam vaults, electrical ducts and underground pipework.

Fibrelite’s FRP GRP composite trench panels – cool to touch!

Fibrelite’s FRP GRP trench panels exceed DOT H20 and H25 even when subjected to temperatures up to 400°F and are available in different load ratings. The thermal gradient properties of Fibrelite’s FRP GRP composite trench panels significantly reduce the heat transfer from a steam vault to the surface of the trench panel. Typically, the surface temperature of the panel will be slightly above the ambient temperature at street level even when subjected to extremely hot temperatures on the underside of the trench panel.

Six Fibrelite FM45 4' 6" (1.6m) wide anti-slip FRP GRP composite trench panels being installed in the sidewalk pavement
Six Fibrelite FM45 4' 6" (1.6m) wide FRP GRP composite trench panels being installed in the sidewalk pavement
No slips or trips... The Fibrelite tread pattern offer's anti-slip qualities equivalent to a high grade road surface
Anti-slip/skid properties far exceeding health and safety advisory limits

Author:

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Jim Goodman

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