Producing quality fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) walkways is a very scientific and engineered process that requires attention to detail throughout the manufacturing process to deliver high performance products in an industrial environment. The journey starts with selecting the appropriate resins and fiberglass reinforcements. The resin and fiberglass are transformed into usable forms through molding techniques of either pultrusion or hand lay-up, which is application dependent. Once the walkways are transformed into panels, they are further tailored into suitable shapes with anti-slip surfaces, and structural reinforcements capable of handling the manufacturers specific load capacities, and available for various application environments that expose the product to harsh chemicals and weather, as well as environmental influences. The manufacturer will conduct several tests during the production process, i.e. strength, fire resistance, UV resistance tests to international standards (ASTM, ISO, NEMA, etc) for the expected life of the product. FRP Walkways manufacturers will ultimately provide a product that is lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and long-lasting for maintenance-free situations with safety-in-mind, such as oil & gas, power, and wastewater applications.
Choosing the Right FRP Walkway Manufacturer: A Buyer’s Checklist
Selecting a trusted FRP walkway manufacturer is critical with regards to product safety and reliability, and industrial long term value. An extensive, inclusive buyer’s checklist should first confirm whether or not your supplier will actually adhere to an internationally recognized compliance standard (e.g. ASTM, ISO, NEMA) so you have consistent compliant product.
Second, consider the manufacture’s experience in providing customized FRP solutions to your unique industrial requirements; including special loadbearing with regards to your product, environmental concerns like chemical exposures or moisture along water that may impact your experience and product. Some helpful questions to ask include; what materials are being used (specifically resin type and fiberglass reinforcement), which both will significantly impact the durability and resistance of your walkway, as well customer testimonials, previous projects, and after-sale sales support (timely delivery of goods as well as installation instructions, or assistance). A well-respected manufacturer should provide something more than just product to ensure that your facility can operate a safe and compliant system that performs to design.
Applications and uses of FRP Walkways
Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) walkways are being used more frequently across many industrial and commercial applications because of their inimitable strength, durability, corrosion resistance, and safety. FRP walkways are specifically designed for areas that would rapidly decay using traditional materials like steel or wood. These areas include chemical plants, waste treatment plants, marine applications, and oil & gas operations. At power generation facilities and substations, FRP walkways also provide non-conductive, fire-retardant walking surfaces, on top of its electrical safety considerations.
They are also found in rooftop maintenance paths, pedestrian bridges, and industrial platforms where anti-slip characteristics and low maintenance are required. Due to lightweight and readily customizable modular components, FRP walkways can be installed in any number of complex configurations. These qualities make FRP walkways a topical and versatile solution for addressing modern infrastructure and industrial safety needs.
Conclusion
In summary, the manufacturing of high quality fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) walkways, is very much an engineering, and controlled manufacturing process and always calls for safety, performance, and durability. The combination of reliant/impeccable production techniques, the best raw materials available, and compliance with quality and safety standards ensures that each and every walkway is designed to comply with the rigors of an industrial environment. They are evaluated for structural integrity and anti-slip safety, chemical and weathering resistance, and the results show assured performance in critical applications. The attention to detail and quality indicates that industries can trust us to provide a reliable, low-maintenance, sustainable infrastructure component for the future.
