GRP Access Solution

KGSS Ltd, a specialist GRP installation contractor, was commissioned to design and install a comprehensive access solution across two water utility structures: a covered service reservoir requiring full perimeter guarding and staircase access, and a cylindrical storage tank installation requiring a countersunk access arrangement with guarding at both levels. Working in close partnership with Engineered Composites, KGSS delivered a fully composite solution engineered to perform maintenance-free in permanently damp and chemically aggressive environments.

Engineered Composites Ltd

GRP material supply, including box section profiles, modular handrail components, stair treads, open mesh grating, and gated entry assemblies. ISO 9001:2015 certified. Over 38 years of specialist GRP supply to UK infrastructure.

KGSS Ltd

Design, fabrication, and installation of all GRP access systems across both structures. Specialist GRP installation contractor with growing presence across water utility, industrial, and power generation sectors.

The Challenge

Water utility infrastructure demands access solutions that perform over decades without maintenance intervention. Both structures presented conditions that conventional steel or aluminium systems cannot meet sustainably: constant exposure to moisture, proximity to treated water, and the ongoing cost burden of corrosion management, repainting, and structural inspection that galvanised steel eventually requires.

The covered reservoir required 96 metres of continuous perimeter guarding across the full concrete roof slab, with two full staircase and landing assemblies providing safe access from ground level to roof. The tank installation required a gated access arrangement at the top of a countersunk concrete pit, with guarding running at both the upper plinth level and within the sunken access area.

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The Solution

Engineered Composites supplied a complete GRP access package to KGSS, comprising GRP box section profiles, GRP modular handrail components, gated entry assemblies, and GRP stair treads with open mesh GRP grating surfaces. All profiles comply with BS EN 13706 and are manufactured under ISO 9001:2015 quality control.

KGSS designed and fabricated both complete assemblies, integrating ECL-supplied components into bespoke structures matched precisely to the dimensions and access requirements of each installation. The gated entry point at the tank pit incorporates a double-leaf gate with braced box section framing, providing a secure but easily operated access point for maintenance personnel.

The selection of GRP for both installations eliminated any ongoing risk of corrosion in the wet utility environment and removed the need for post-installation treatment, painting, or periodic structural remediation — delivering a maintenance-free system across a 50-plus year design life.

The Results

Both installations were completed on programme and met all dimensional and safety requirements for the respective sites. The lightweight nature of the GRP system significantly reduced on-site handling time and allowed KGSS to position and fix both the perimeter handrail run and the staircase assemblies without the lifting equipment a comparable steel structure would have required.

The finished installations present cleanly against the existing concrete infrastructure and will continue to perform without corrosion treatment or structural intervention for the life of the assets. For KGSS, both projects reinforce an established working relationship with Engineered Composites built on consistent material quality, reliable supply, and technical support throughout the fabrication and installation process.

Kenny Grieves, Director of KGSS, noted the quality and workability of the ECL-supplied components as a key factor in the efficiency of both installations, and the projects form part of a growing programme of GRP-focused work KGSS is delivering across water utility, industrial, and power generation sectors.

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Engineered Composites are the UK’s leading GRP supplier. With over 37 years of experience and a highly committed team, we are in a great position to be able to meet all your specific requirements.

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