Every water and wastewater treatment plant manager strives to provide the best plant performance within a given operating budget since they are very cost conscious.
Cost savings can come from many areas including:
Initial Material Cost
Historically FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic) grating, railings, and ladders were significantly more expensive. Today that is not necessarily true. Traditional materials (steel, galvanized steel and aluminum) have seen rising prices over the last forty years where FRP products have not, making FRP products similar in initial cost. When you consider the long term costs, cost savings are significant.
Installation Cost
Because Fibergrate products are light weight and easy to cut to size the installation of fiberglass products takes less time, equipment and personnel than steel or aluminum products reducing installation cost.
Safety Cost
Gratings made of steel or aluminum offer limited or poor slip resistance when dry and only get worse as they become worn, wet or debris covered. Fiberglass gratings come with the markets’ best slip resistant walking surface that lasts for the life of the product. By selecting FRP molded or pultruded grating, you will improve the safety around your facility and reduce the costs associated with each slip and fall. Many companies report that the cost of slips and falls can be $50,000 or more plus the loss of trained workers during recovery.
Maintenance Cost
Fiberglass products do not require painting to prevent the attack of rust and corrosion. Molded square mesh grating is perfect where the most corrosion and abuse resistant grating is needed. Pultruded grating should be used when spans exceed four feet and in less corrosive and abusive applications.
Life Cycle Cost
FRP products offer a significantly low life cycle cost. We have many projects that have been installed for thirty to forty years of continuous service in wet and corrosive service. Eliminating or reducing the replacement cost associated with traditional materials can be a significant cost savings for plants future operating costs.
All in all, FRP products offer a chance to reduce the long term cost of running a treatment plant while improving the safety and appearance of the workplace. Give it a try you will not be disappointed.
