Archetech Issue 56 2021 | Page 13

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

FIBRELITE
PRECAST & PREFORMED TROUGHS & FIBRELITE ’ S ‘ MADE TO MEASURE ’ LIGHTWEIGHT GRP COVERS
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 , combining the strength and longevity of precast and preformed troughs with the easy , safe manual removal and durability of Fibrelite ’ s lightweight composite covers .
Health and safety issues surrounding manual handling are of paramount importance to site managers . Without the necessary provision of dedicated lifting apparatus and training for operatives , traditional concrete and steel trough access covers can be a concern due to their sheer weight . Concrete slab covers can weigh as much as five times the weight of an equivalent size Fibrelite GRP composite trough cover . Fibrelite covers have an industry leading strength-to-weight ratio and are designed to be safely and easily removed by two people , using the Fibrelite FL7 ergonomically designed lifting handles .
“ In recent years , the demand for highly customisable , high-tech access covering solutions has grown exponentially , and we ’ re proud of the part we ’ ve played in their adoption over the 40 years since we invented the world ’ s first . Since then , we ’ ve continually innovated , focussing on creating solutions to industry and customer challenges .” Commented Jo Stott , Fibrelite ’ s Marketing Director “ Partnering with precast and preformed trough / trench manufacturers was a logical next step , and I ’ m proud to say that , since we created our first partnership offering with Trenwa in 2014 we now have over 50 kilometres of our covers installed in precast and preformed troughs across the globe ”
Driven by focusses on health and safety , weight , durability ( no corrosion ) and reduced installation time , GRP composite access covers have moved from being a niche product used on petrol station forecourts to being specified at the outset of new build and retrofit projects for some of the world ’ s most prestigious brands in technology , data centres , ports , airports , hightech manufacturing facilities , utilities , infrastructure and many more .
David Holmes , Fibrelite ’ s Technical Director added “ We work closely with architects , contractors , and end users from tender stage right the way through to delivery and even installation where required . This collaborative process ensures that the supplied product fulfils both product quality demands and strict project completion deadlines . Fibrelite covers can be custom designed and manufactured with dimensions matched precisely to specified trough opening / rebate dimensions ( Fibrelite ’ s adjustable tooling allows covers to be manufactured within millimetres of a clients requirement )”
RECENT INSTALLATION : NEW BUILD DATA CENTRE , NORTHERN EUROPE
Some clients favour a complete GRP solution for both troughs and covers . Where appropriate , this can further reduce installation costs and time due to their reduced weight for transit and installation . Earlier this year , Fibrelite engineered and manufactured 550 metres of custom trough covers for a new build data centre in Northern Europe . These GRP preformed troughs were supplied with custom fit Fibrelite bolt-down covers , for added security .
For more information , visit www . fibrelite . com / archetech
PAGE 13 - ARCHETECH