Lightweight Fiberglass Utility Covers Replace Heavy, Substation Concrete
January 26, 2009 | 1 comment
Strongwell allied fabricator, GEF Incorporated, has developed a new utility trench cover system trade named UTILICOVER™. The cover’s design incorporates Strongwell’s SAFPLANK® fiberglass panels and EXTREN®Channels.
UTILICOVER® fiberglass trench covers are the ideal alternative to concrete trench covers for substations. The strong and durable fiberglass cover system installs easily and can be quickly removed for trench access by one person. The UTILICOVER® fiberglass cover is extremely lightweight, half the weight of heavy concrete panels, and can be lifted by one person with far less risk of back injuries or other injuries.
Unlike concrete, UTILICOVER® panels are individually adjustable to accommodate inconsistencies in trench width. Despite the larger spans shown here, the typical trench span is 24″. At that span, with a 500 lbs. point load at mid-panel, deflection is approximately 1/8″.
Two substation installation jobs in Virginia and Tennessee were completed in March of 2007. Benefits of the new covers were obvious and immediate. In the course of six and a half days, a three-man crew used only twelve tons of UTILICOVER® panels to replace seventy tons of concrete covers! The project manager stated the UTILICOVER® covers were installed more quickly by hand than the concrete covers could be removed with an excavator.
If you are located in West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky or Indiana and are interested in UTILICOVER®, visit www.gefinc.com. All other inquires in other states can be submitted to Strongwell.
Click here to view the UTILICOVER® Flyer.
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We are looking at replacing some of our concrete trench covers. They are around 46” long on the outside 40” long on the inside 24” wide and 3” thick. I can send exact sizes if needed.
Thanks,
Eugene Speakman
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