Trench covers for high load areas
Fibrelite has introduced a lightweight alternative to traditionally used heavy concrete and metal access covers for areas imposing particularly high wheel loads such as aircraft pavements, taxiways of civil airports, shipping ports and dockyards.
“Having re-configured the internal fibreglass architecture we can meet the permanent set and test load requirements of BS EN 124, Class F900 (when tested in accordance with the Air BP test footprint),” explains David Holmes, Fibrelite’s technical director and head of product development.
The request for Fibrelite to provide F900 heavy duty trench covers initially came from a large dockyard in the South-East of England. Their work inspectors were exploring replacement options for extremely heavy and corroding steel covers.
Replacement composite trench covers have eliminated costly and time consuming procedures, as well as allowing for a load rating of up to 90 tonnes.
Designed for safe lifting and replacement
With recent statistics attributing over half of injuries (resulting in absence from work) to manual handling it’s already known that reducing hazards in this area is a priority on a global scale. Because of legislation restricting acceptable manual handling weights, we are seeing a global trend towards lighter weight FRP composite manhole and access cover materials, which also have the benefits of ease of handling and corrosion resistance.
Lightweight composite covers that provide safe and easy access eliminating unsafe manual handling issues are replacing aging concrete and heavy cast iron access covers all over the world. By using lighter materials, operational injuries are prevented, work sites are made safer and ease of installation and maintenance is made available to utility workers and contractors.
