The challenge with this installation was twofold. Firstly, to maintain a low weight, the previously installed steel covers lacked the necessary reinforcement to resist the operational loads. This resulted in excessive deformation and failure. Secondly, the existing trench recess had an uneven depth resulting in excessive rocking of the covers.

The specifying engineer found Fibrelite via an online search and provided a detailed brief of the project and design parameters.
Using these, Fibrelite provided a retrofit solution, custom engineering and manufacturing their GRP trench access covers to suit the client’s requirements. The Fibrelite trench covers that were installed have a load rating of 30 tonnes (Fibrelite covers are available with load ratings up to 90 tonnes) and the GRP covers are corrosion resistant therefore will have a longer lifetime than the previously installed metal covers.

A custom aluminium frame was installed to improve the stability of the covers, providing an even surface on which to place the new trench covers. Fibrelite’s trench access covers can be removed safely and easily by two people using their ergonomic FL7 lifting handles.