In an increasingly connected digital world, data centres are critical. With 3.6 million m2 in use by data centres in Europe alone and over 70 projects (851,000 m2) in progress in 12 European countries (ResearchAndMarkets1), their growth continues to accelerate to meet the needs of cloud technology.

Composite access cover manufacturer Fibrelite has formed strategic partnerships with a number of major manufacturers of precast and preformed troughs (also known as trenches, channels and ducts) in Europe and the USA (including Fibex and Trenwa) to create new collaborative product offerings integrating Fibrelite covers and precast and preformed troughs.

As nuclear decommissioning authorities seek to increase project efficiency while maintaining the highest possible standards of safety, companies responsible for the clean-up of sites look to new products and processes.

As nuclear decommissioning authorities seek to increase project efficiency while maintaining the highest possible standards of safety, companies responsible for the clean-up of sites look to new products and processes.

Fibrelite were approached by Magnox to provide numerous replacement manhole and trench covers to replace the existing degrading concrete and cast-iron covers. This works had to be co-ordinated and delivered within a tight schedule to provide a safe, efficient and consistent solution within the decommissioning work being undertaken at Hinkley Point A.

Fibrelite is excited to announce the release of their second edition case study book, a library of over 120 technical installations showcasing Fibrelite’s manhole and trench access covers as well as underground containment systems and sister brands KPS (piping) and OPW (fuelling products).

Following increasing demand for Radio Frequency (RF) friendly manhole covers, composites manufacturer Fibrelite has developed a new range of manhole access covers, designed to support data transfer between antennas underground and aboveground.

The construction challenges of cloud and data centers continue to change and evolve with the ever-increasing use of and reliance on the facilities. Today sees an increasing focus on efficiency, reliability and reduced downtime, while build schedules continue to tighten.

Conventional load-bearing access and manhole covers are heavy, liable to corrosion and difficult to install and remove. The question facing modern architects and developers is how to retain the accessibility and strength, but improve upon the practicality, durability and performance.

Electrical power generation facilities have large quantities of cabling running below the ground as a matter of course, which must be accessed regularly. Back in the 1960s when many of these facilities were built, heavy concrete and steel or cast-iron trench access covers were the only option available.