Underground systems can be retrofitted & upgraded; engineers are using corrosion-resistant materials in place of steel, cast iron or concrete. This is particularly true of underground infrastructure located in areas that are more prone to corrosion (e.g., coastal regions where salt is commonly) or in infrastructure applications that store or convey water, waste water or corrosive liquids. Such piping systems are common in the sewer and waste water treatment industry as well as the petrochemical, pharmaceutical and pulp and paper industry.

Fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) products are now being widely used for applications where corrosion can destroy underground infrastructure. Perhaps the prime reason for using FRP products is because of their inherent corrosion resistance. In many cases, they are the only materials that will handle a given service environment; and in other cases, their corrosion resistance is combined with their lower unit cost to make them the most economically-acceptable solution (e.g., when compared to high-grade stainless steel)

FRP products can provide long-term resistance to almost every chemical and temperature environment.

FRP materials are electrically non-conductive and therefore eliminate the galvanic corrosion that occurs when a metal cover or frame is in contact with metals contained in soil. Galvanic corrosion is also prevalent in coastal or marine environments where salt and sulfur compounds are carried by seawater or airborne sea spray, mist or fog. This is of critical importance given the fact that nearly 40 percent of the nation's existing infrastructure is located in communities directly on the shoreline. Fiberglass materials will also not break down, deteriorate or act as a source of nutrient for bacteria, microorganisms or fungi.5 certain bacteria and microorganisms can produce extremely corrosive liquids such as hydrogen sulphide or ammonia.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

Removal of Access Cover From Road Way

Step 1:    Set up traffic control area

Step 2:    Using the appropriate cutting tool, wet cut a suitable square out                        around the access cover, ensuring it is larger than the new lid surround to  be fitted.

Step 3:    Then using a Jack hammer break away bitumen and concrete around                            existing access cover inside the previously cut square from step 2 cleaning away all debris as  you go making the existing access cover and surround easier to see.

Step 4:     Remove existing access cover and surround from top of access chamber.

INSTALLATION OF NEW ACCESS COVER:

Step 1:    Loosen stainless bolts from new Access Cover using a M8 Allen key to remove cover from  surround using the AS3996 lifting keys

Step 2:    Place lid surround on top of the chamber to check height to gauge amount of grout required under frame for installation. (Recommend using a string line or straight edge for this step) Remove frame from top of chamber.

 Step 3:     Mix chosen grout and cup into a ball shape to place around the top of the access chamber to insure lid surround is level with road way (recommend using a string line or straight edge for this step) add additional grout until the lid surround is level with road surface.

Step 4:     Wait for grout to set before filling under inside lid surround. Mix more grout to fill under lid   surround on the inside of the frame and let set. Ensure sealing area and bolt holes are free of  all grout and debris.

Step 5:    Make up a mixture of rapid set concrete (Set Sixty) to a desired mixture and pour around outside of lid surround covering the flange of the lid surround and wait for concrete to set (approx. 1 hour depending on conditions)

Step 6:     Fit access cover lid to surround, using stainless steel bolts bolts (torqued at 10m + or – 1nm) (which were removed in step 1) fit plugs to bolt holes and plugs to key holes. Pour Emollition (adhesive) over the top of the concrete, then shovel bitumen over the Emollition and compact down with industrial tampering tool, brush sand over bitumen to help set and not stick to vehicle tyres. (Drying time is approx. 1 hour)

Prime Composites Aust P/L is proud to have partnered with

                                   Gold Coast City Council & J.A’s Asphalt in the installation process