GRP Access Solution
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
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.
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.
Ready to get in touch?
We’ll Call You
Get A Quote
Call Our Team
For Full Technical Specifications, Bespoke Solutions & Orders, Call Now
Call Our Friendly Team
Office Address
Engineered Composites Ltd, Unit B4, Borders 2 Industrial Park, River Lane, Saltney, Chester, CH4 8RJ