Fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) panels have been widely used since the s. They are known for their strength and light weight, and are used in the modular construction industry because of their low maintenance and other valuable features. In this article, well define what FRP panels are, cover their benefits and applications, and compare FRP with other materials.
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What are FRP Panels?
Fiberglass reinforced plastic panels are a mix of strong fiberglass and a special type of plastic, which makes the panels both sturdy and light weight. The fiberglass makes them strong, while the plastic creates a surface that is both smooth and non-porous. FRP panels as a whole are strong, light weight, and especially resistant to environmental factors, such as moisture and chemicals.
Benefits of FRP Panels
: As mentioned earlier, FRP panels are both strong and light weight. This, in turn, makes them ideal for modular structures, as they can be assembled and reassembled with ease.
: In any construction project, corrosion can become a problem. These panels, however, are able to handle weathering very well. They resist corrosion and chemical damage, which means they have a
greater longevity
than other materials.
:
The smooth surface of these panels makes them easy to clean and maintain.
: Fiberglass reinforced panels are exceptionally tough. As a result, they do well in industrial applications, where materials need to withstand harsh conditions. They are also moisture resistant, preventing issues like mold and mildew.
: They can also be made to resist fire and chemicals, making them a smart choice in places where safety is important. The fire ratings of FRP panels help meet strict safety standards.
: These panels can be manufactured in a variety of textures and colors, which offers flexibility in design for modular offices, guard shacks , and more.
Interested in customizing your space? Contact the experts at Allied Modular today to get a free quote and explore your options.
Applications of FRP Panels
: These spaces rely heavily on FRP panels. At Allied Modular, we use these panels to create office spaces for a variety of business needs.
: FRP panels provide lightweight and secure walls for guard shacks and security booths. Their strength and durability make them ideal for improving the safety of personnel.
: These panels can also be used for enclosing machinery in manufacturing environments. Because of their light weight, they are easy to install and quick to set up within warehouses or other manufacturing areas.
: FRP panels are especially useful in cleanrooms because of their non-porous surfaces. This makes cleaning simple, and prevents particles or germs from lingering in hard-to-reach places. They are widely used in the food processing industry due to their hygienic properties.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website FRP Towers.
Comparing FRP Panels with Other Materials
FRP vs. Traditional Materials
Steel and Aluminum
: While steel and aluminum are strong, they are more liable to corrosion and are much heavier than FRP.
Wood
: Wood is less expensive, but it lacks the corrosion resistance of FRP.
Cost Comparison
FRP panels may sometimes have a higher upfront cost than traditional materials. However, because of their low maintenance and longevity, they may be a more cost-effective choice.
The flame spread of FRP panels is also lower compared to some traditional materials, adding an extra layer of safety.
The Bottom Line
Fiber reinforced plastic panels are strong, durable, and can withstand various weather conditions, from rain and sun exposure to overall corrosion. Theyre also tough against rough handling, which makes them preferable for many industrial uses. Further, theyre perfect for lots of different places, such as modular offices, guard shacks, machine enclosures, and cleanrooms. Choosing these panels means youre getting a solution thats not only built to last but also easy to take care of.
As a result, FRP panels are becoming increasingly popular in the United States. Many businesses are opting for these wall panels in their construction projects, appreciating the balance of strength, lightweight, and low maintenance.
If youre interested in learning more about our materials, check out our wall and ceiling product options today.
Cooling Towers LLC inspects and repairs cooling towers with failing and degrading structural components.
Most facilities have cooling towers in service that were installed over 30 years ago. The expected service life of pressure-treated lumber in a cooling tower environment is approximately 25 to 30 years. Considering a cooling tower is an essential component in any facilitys processing system, the failure of one or multiple cooling towers would create a serious interruption in the facilitys ability to remain on line. If your facility relies on cooling towers that are over 20 to 25 years old, Cooling Towers recommends a thorough inspection of your cooling towers structural components. Cooling Towers trained inspectors can identify pressure-treated lumber that is rotted, damaged, failing, acid-washed or compromised in any way that would diminish the existing components structural integrity. If the structure in a cooling tower is failing, Cooling Towers can replace the compromised component with new fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) structural shapes. FRP structural shapes are superior to pressure-treated lumber in a variety of ways, as they are impervious to rot, unaffected by moisture, stronger than lumber and 1.5 times as rigid, they are inert and do not release toxic chemicals, and they generally have an overall lower cost of maintenance and a longer service life. Upgrading the structural components to FRP structural shapes resets the service life of a cooling towers structure and ensures the structural integrity of the tower for years.
Performing an FRP conversion to a facilitys cooling towers can have several lasting advantages that will benefit a facility for decades. The environment inside a cooling tower is extreme, especially in the plenum area of the tower, which experiences cycles of exposure to both wet and dry environments. This varying environment poses many challenges for lumber-based structural components because lumber has a permeable surface that absorbs moisture. The bacteria-laden moisture degrades the lumber from the inside out, causing the lumber to slowly degrade without any apparent signs of rot from the exterior observation. FRP structural shapes are not susceptible to such forms and degradation and therefore provide a lower cost of maintenance throughout their longer service life. There are many other ways in which FRP structural shapes are superior to pressure-treated lumber:
- Superior resistance to a broad range of chemicals.
- Unaffected by moisture or immersion in water.
- Surfacing veil and UV additives create excellent weatherability.
- FRP is stronger and has higher flexural strength than pressure treated lumber.
- FRP is approximately 1-1.5 times as rigid as pressure treated lumber.
- Low conductivity properties means high dielectric capability.
- FRP has a significantly higher strength-to-weight ratio.
- FRP shapes and plates are inert and do not release toxic chemicals, making them easily disposable in landfills.
- Lower maintenance required and longer product life often equals lower overall cost
Cooling Towers structural calculations, designs and connection details for all standard cooling tower designs have been performed, verified, stamped and signed by a professional structural engineer. Cooling Towers can employ these design concepts to any cooling tower design to ensure the new FRP structure is designed properly.
Cooling Towers has performed dozens of complete and partial FRP conversions on every standard cooling tower design. Cooling Towers can upgrade the fill media and drift eliminators to increase the thermal capacity of most cooling towers, as well as provide a thermal analysis of the cooling tower and offer options to upgrade the thermal performance of the tower. Performing both the FRP conversion and the fill and drift eliminator upgrade resets the service life of the cooling tower. This process is essentially the same as purchasing a brand new cooling tower with- out all of the other costs associated with new towers such as piping, electrical, instrumentation and concrete.
For more information, visit www.coolingtowersllc.com or (281) 484-.
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