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Oil Refinery, North Killingholme, UK

Custom Fibrelite covers prove perfect solution for oil refinery stresses

Project overview

A complex large-scale renovation project necessitating a carefully planned bespoke design.

Fibrelite heavy load rated composite trench cover

Problem

A project like this – in which everything is designed and built from scratch, comes with unique challenges. These were compounded by the tight timeline.

Key trench covers requirements:

  • Load ratings varying from A15 to D400 to cope with differing traffic loads, from pedestrian to heavy vehicular (lorries and loading vehicles)
  • Custom sizes to accommodate the unusual shape of the trench
  • Resistance to extremely high temperatures to withstand emissions from steam pipes below
  • Chemically inert – covers must not react/decompose upon contact with the corrosive chemicals associated with crude oil refinery
  • Easy safe manual removal

Solution

The Fibrelite technical team and engineering team adapt their approach to suit each client and project.

  • Custom Fibrelite trench covers were designed and engineered to fit the unusual trench dimensions. Their bespoke design allowed for the covers to be slotted into the existing rebate acting as an immediate and effective covering solution
  • The Fibrelite site team were instrumental to the installation, visiting at critical stages during the installation
  • Fibrelite adhered stringently to the delivery deadlines as outlined by the client – all 114 covers were manufactured and delivered to site within 4-5 weeks from confirmation of the order. Previously, Fibrelite supplied phase 1 of this project with similar superior speed and efficiency – exceeding client deadline and product quality demands
  • Thanks to a swift delivery schedule, the time period in which the steam pipes within the trench were exposed to the harmful elements above was negligible
  • Fibrelite covers are maintenance-free and have an inherent resistance to corrosion, meaning they will endure for years to come, even with exposure to the corrosive chemicals associated with crude oil refinery

The skid resistant surface of Fibrelite covers removed the potential risk that would have been posed by concrete covers during periods of adverse weather or oil/chemical spillages.

The Fibrelite technical team and engineering team adapt their approach to suit each client and project
The onsite staff benefit greatly with easy safe manual access to the service trench using Fibrelite’s ergonomically designed FL7 lifting handles
Fibrelite heavy load rated composite trench cover

Results

  • The onsite staff benefit greatly with easy safe manual access to the service trench using Fibrelite’s ergonomically designed FL7 lifting handles
  • Fibrelite covers remain cool to touch even when subjected to the extreme temperatures from the steam pipes below (tested to temperatures of 200°C)

‘Fit and forget’ – Fibrelite’s chemically inert covers will last for years to come without cracking or decomposing with exposure to the range of chemicals they will face in.

Author:
Picture of David Holmes

David Holmes

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A15
Trench Covers

C250
Trench Covers

D400
Trench Covers

FL7
Lifting Handles

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