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Composite Trench Covers

Light enough to remove by hand.

Strong enough for any application A15-F900

With an unrivalled strength-to-weight ratio, lightweight Fibrelite trench covers are available in a range of load ratings (from 1.5 to 90 tonnes) to suit every application and every budget. Easy-to-remove, safe and available in an almost limitless range of RAL colours, sizes and configurations, each cover is designed to deliver years of trouble-free service even in the harshest environments.

Cast iron access covers with concrete infill

Our lightweight retrofit replacement

Port of Felixstowe, UK, after installing composite trench covers

Trusted by specifiers, architects and engineers worldwide

Fibrelite has been at the forefront of composite quality and innovation since 1980 when we designed the world’s first GRP composite manhole cover for the retail petroleum industry. Our high-performance, lightweight, safe-to-lift composite covers – including the unique F900 load-rated trench cover – are now selected by specifiers, architects and engineers worldwide.

Not all composite covers are the same

Although GRP composite covers are now increasingly preferred to the traditional metal or concrete options – not every composite cover performs to the highest standards year after year.

Fibrelite trench covers are a high-performance product created via resin transfer moulding (RTM) to create a durable, monolithic cover that you can truly fit-and-forget. What’s more, each one has been individually engineered in our own manufacturing facilities.

Load ratings from 3,400 lb / 1.5 tonnes to 202,000 lb / 90 tonnes

Explore our trench cover range below

Up to: 90 tonnes
Extreme Heavy Duty (F900)

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For use in areas where extremely high wheel loads are imposed such as docks or airport runways.
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Up to: 25 tonnes
Standard Duty (C250)

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For use in car parking lots, petrol stations, industrial
sites and areas with slow moving traffic.
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Up to: 5 tonnes
Medium Light Duty

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For use in raised curb
locations where light vehicular access is possible.
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Up to: 60 tonnes
Super Heavy Duty (E600)

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For use in areas where extremely high wheel loads are imposed such as loading areas.
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Up to: 20 tonnes
Standard Duty US (HS20)

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For use in car parking lots, petrol stations, industrial
sites and areas with slow moving traffic.
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Up to: 1.5 tonnes
Super Light Duty (A15)

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For use in areas where only pedestrians have access.
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Up to: 40 tonnes
Heavy Duty (HS25/D400)

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For use in areas with frequent bus or heavy truck traffic, including carriageways and hard shoulders.
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Up to: 12.5 tonnes
Light Duty (B125)

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For use in traffic service areas as per AASHTO standard.
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Looking for something else?

Pedestrian
Up To: 250 To 350 Lbs.
Per Sq./Ft.

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Pedestrian loading is generally specified for sidewalks, plazas and other pedestrian only areas where no vehicular traffic of any kind is anticipated under any condition. The Pedestrian load rating is typically between 250 to 350 lbs. per sq./ft. applied over the entire area of the Panel.
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H20 Wheel Load
(20K Loading)
Up To: 20,800 Lbs

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H20 wheel loading is specified for areas such as driveways, factory floors, parking lots and off roadway applications subject to occasional vehicular traffic. The 20K load rating has the same wheel loading as AASHTO H20 of 16,000 lbs. plus a 30% load increase due to impact forces for a total wheel load of 20,800 lbs. 20K loading is not appropriate for areas that are subject to continuous traffic such as streets or highways.
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AASHTO H25/HS-25
Loading Up To: 25 Tons / 50,000 Lbs.

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AASHTO H25 or HS-25 Loading is specified for areas that will be subjected to frequent heavy vehicle traffic (such as trucks). The H25 design load is per AASHTO’s M-306-10 load test requirements – proof load testing to 50,000 lbs. without any permanent deformation exceeding 3.2 mm or 1/8”.
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ANSI Tier 8
Up To: 8,000 Lbs.

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Tier 8 Loading is specified for sidewalk or pedestrian only areas that may experience non-deliberate light vehicular traffic. The Tier 8 design load is 8,000 lbs. with a minimum failure load of 12,000 lbs.
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ANSI Tier 22
Up To: 18 Tons / 22,500 Lbs.

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Tier 22 Loading is specified for areas such as driveways, factory floors, parking lots and off roadway applications subject to heavy forklift traffic and occasional vehicular traffic. The Tier 22 design load is 22,500 lbs. with a minimum failure load of 33,750 lbs.
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AASHTO H40/HS-40
Up To: 40 Tons / 64,000 Lbs.

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AASHTO H40 or HS-40 Loading is specified for areas that will be subjected to extremely heavy truck traffic (such as truck stops, fire stations and mining facilities). The H40 design load is per AASHTO’s M-306-10 load test requirements – proof load testing to 64,000 lbs. without any permanent deformation exceeding 3.2 mm or 1/8”.
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ANSI Tier 15
Up To: 15,000 Lbs

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Tier 15 Loading is specified for areas such as driveways, factory floors, parking lots and off roadway applications subject to occasional light vehicle traffic (such as light forklifts or light vehicles). The Tier 15 design load is 15,000 lbs. with a minimum failure load of 22,500 lbs.
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AASHTO H20/HS-20
Up To: 20 Tons / 40,000 Lbs.

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AASHTO H20 or HS-20 Loading is specified for areas that will be subjected to frequent vehicle traffic. The H20 design load is per AASHTO’s M-306-10 load test requirements – proof load testing to 40,000 lbs. without any permanent deformation exceeding 3.2 mm or 1/8”.
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Extreme Loading Requirements
Up to: 90 tons / 202,000 lbs.

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For applications where load ratings exceed AASHTO H40, please contact Fibrelite directly.
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Why choose a Fibrelite trench cover?
Benefits at a glance

  • Load ratings from A15 (3,400lb) to F900 (202,000lb) (BS EN 124)
  • Bespoke and custom sizes available
  • The widest range of FRP GRP trench covers available to suit every requirement
  • Perfect for access to drains, ducts and piping
  • Trouble-free lightweight durable monolithic structure which will not delaminate
  • Corrosion-resistant: unaffected by water, underground gasses and most chemicals
  • Excellent insulator against heat
  • Non-metallic, non-conductive and will not spark
  • Can be installed onto our specialized specialised frame or an existing rebate
  • Treads incorporate an anti-slip material equivalent to modern high-grade road surface
  • Safe easy-lift manual removal using Fibrelite’s ergonomic lifting handle, eliminating the risk of back injury or crushed fingers
  • Locks available
  • Available in virtually any UV stable color, colour, which will not flake, fade or crack
  • Logos or custom markings can be molded moulded into the upper surface
  • Covers can be custom molded moulded to accommodate pipework entry, shallow depths with stepped cover profiles, steam and gas release vents, inspection ports and much more

Explore our range of trench covers

Light enough to remove by hand. Strong enough for any application A15-F900

With an unrivalled strength-to-weight ratio, lightweight Fibrelite trench covers are available in a range of load ratings (from 1.5 to 90 tonnes) to suit every application and every budget. Easy-to-remove, safe and available in an almost limitless range of RAL colours, sizes and configurations, each cover is designed to deliver years of trouble-free service even in the harshest environments.

Not all composite covers are the same

Although GRP composite covers are now increasingly preferred to the traditional metal or concrete options – not every composite cover performs to the highest standards year after year.

Fibrelite trench covers are a high-performance product created via resin transfer moulding (RTM) to create a durable, monolithic cover that you can truly fit-and-forget. What’s more, each one has been individually engineered in our own manufacturing facilities.
Port of Felixstowe, UK, after installing composite trench covers

We’re trusted by specifiers, architects and engineers worldwide

Fibrelite has been at the forefront of composite quality and innovation since 1980 when we designed the world’s first GRP composite manhole cover for the retail petroleum industry. Our high-performance, lightweight, safe-to-lift composite covers – including the unique F900 load-rated trench cover – are now selected by specifiers, architects and engineers worldwide.

Ergonomically-designed

As well as being lightweight – typically a third of the weight of an equivalent-size cover produced in metal or concrete, Fibrelite’s ergonomically-designed lifting aid also eliminates the risk of back injury and crushed fingers.
The Health & Safety Executive recommended load moving capabilities in relation to weight and position
Fibrelite lifting method with a 1m (40”) long C250 load rated trench cover. Weights are halved with a two person lift

Ultra-durable

Designed as a fit-and-forget product, our FRP GRP composite covers are maintenance-free, durable and very strong.

Read our wear resistance test report (Refer to clause 3.2.1 and 3.2.2, page 14)

Read our impact resistance test report (Refer to clause 4.2, page 15)

Corrosion-resistant

A prime reason for selecting a composite cover is for its inherent resistance to corrosion. This makes it an obvious choice where water, waste water or corrosive liquids are involved. Fibrelite covers are also ideal where underground infrastructure requires protection from external corrosive compounds, such as salt.

Read our corrosion resistance test report (Refer to clause 3.1.5 & 4.4, page 14 & 15)

Skid-resistant

Independent wet and dry tests carried out by Devon CC Materials Laboratory showed that Fibrelite trench covers – even when wet – had anti-slip properties equivalent to a modern high grade road surface – far exceeding health and safety advisory limits.

Read our skid resistance test report

Heat-resistant

The thermal gradient properties of a composite steam cover significantly reduces the heat transfer from a steam vault to the surface of the cover. Typically, the surface temperature of a composite cover is only slightly above ambient temperature, even when subjected to extremely hot temperatures on the underside.

In fact, Fibrelite’s high-quality steam covers maintain their cool-to-touch properties and ability to support vehicular loads, even when pushed to a test temperature of 400°F.

Read our heat resistance test report

“…I think Fibrelite is a great solution to a difficult design problem for us, of achieving both a robust and high load capacity cover to the multicore cables running from stage to control desk whilst maintaining low weight and easy access.”

Jonathan Size, Foster Wilson Architects

World’s largest range of options

Fibrelite’s composite covers are available in almost any size, color, colour, shape and configuration, providing a truly bespoke, made-to-measure solution for every project.

  • Available in a range of widths from 300mm (12″) to 1000mm (40″); a range of lengths from 600mm (24″) to 2000mm (78 ¾”) and depths from 50mm (2″) to 203.2mm (8″). Custom sizes are also available. Load ratings are available from A15 to F900.
  • Can be installed onto our specialized specialised frame or existing rebate.
  • Can be custom molded moulded to accommodate pipework entry, shallow depths with stepped cover profiles, steam and gas release vents, inspection ports and much more.

Colors Colours

Custom molded moulded

Logos/Symbols

Locks and restraining bolts

Specialized Specialised frame or existing rebate

Custom molded moulded stepped covers

Fibrelite trench covers can be custom molded moulded to be stepped, allowing them to be retrofitted into existing frames with shallow rebates while maintaining their structural integrity (independently tested).

This allows direct replacement of previously existing metal covers, or installation in existing precast or preformed concrete trenches. Stepping can also reduce manufacturing cost and weight.

“Dakin Contractors have worked with Fibrelite for over 20 years now and we are happy to recommend Fibrelite to any company looking to utilise their services. We have always found Fibrelite to be the leader in their market…a company driven by providing a product and a service that their customers desire and are constantly striving to improve their product in response to customer feedback. Fibrelite provide top class products at competitive prices and back their products up with an excellent on-site service.”

Contracts Manager, Dakin Contractors

Fully-conductive

Potential electrostatic discharging can be eliminated by using our “fully conductive” covers. We use a metallised fibre within the moulding process to achieve electrical continuity across the entire surface of the cover – and exceed the surface resistivity requirements of PAS26.

While the standard calls out for a maximum value of 1 KΩ/cm²; Fibrelite covers actually achieve a value of 0.0144 KΩ/cm².

Read our Conductivity Test Report (Refer to clause 3.1.5, Page 14)

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Tried, tested, accredited

Fibrelite has held accreditation to the ISO quality standard (ISO 9001:2015) and British Standards Kitemark since 1998. This commitment to product excellence enables us to provide the most comprehensive range of high strength modular and custom-made trench covers, with the very best strength-to-weight ratio available in the market today.

Our covers

  • exceed H20 and H25 load rating standards
  • are BS EN 124 compliant often surpassing the relevant class conditions for deflection under load
  • are BSI Kitemark approved products
  • have been independently tested to ensure that they meet AASHTO (American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials) standards.

View our load test reports

Technical resources

Each product is fully supported with dimensional product drawings and installation instructions which you can access by following the links from each product page on this website, or by contacting us directly via + 1 919 209 2404, +44 (0) 1756 799 773, enquiries@fibrelite.com or contact form.

View our technical resources

Get the trench cover technical guide here...

Don’t just take our word for it…

An 18” square, raised cover manufactured and supplied by Fibrelite was put through testing as specified in BS EN 124 after 14 years solid service on a high-traffic forecourt. The test report confirms the cover easily passed and it was notable that the orange color colour had not faded, indicating that weathering and UV have no or very little impact on the performance of the Fibrelite cover over a sustained period.

Read the test report

No risk of theft

There is no risk of theft with a Fibrelite composite cover as composites have no resale value in the scrap market – so you won’t be left with a dangerous, uncovered hole in the ground.

Fibrelite in the Press

Here’s a quick round up of some of the recent Fibrelite stories which have made the news around the world. To read more click here.

Read more about how heavy trench covers are history:

Construction UK
Building Specifier

Read more about our strategic partners:

Building Construction Design
Health & Safety Matters

Read more about our new radio frequency friendly manhole covers:

Technical Textile
Composites in Manufacturing

Explore our range of trench covers

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