EXTREN^® fiberglass walkway/platform systems were fabricated, preassembled and shipped from Strongwell to a crackling catalyst manufacturer in Southgate, California. The assemblies were installed to give access to manways in four storage tanks (38' long x 10' in diameter) containing highly corrosive chemicals (raw materials for production).

The manufacturer, W. R. Grace Company, selected fiberglass over steel in this application because of the caustic environment. Fiberglass structures are expected to last 15 to 20 years which is three times longer than steel has in this same plant.

EXTREN^® fiberglass structural shapes used to fabricate the walkways and platforms are 8" wide flange beams, 2" square tube and 8" channel. FIBREBOLT^® fiberglass fasteners were used to make connections throughout the structures.

Ease of installation was another important consideration in this application. As shown in the photo, the handrails do not bend when the structures are lifted by ropes attached to the handrails — thus demonstrating both the strength and lightweight of EXTREN^® structural shapes and the quality of the fabrication.

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