The GRP Knowledge Gap: Educating Contractors on Practical Application
Introduction
Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) has been widely used in UK infrastructure for decades, yet many construction contractors have limited practical experience with it. This knowledge gap can lead to hesitation in specifying GRP or missed opportunities to take advantage of its benefits during installation and in service.
The gap is not caused by a lack of technical performance — modern GRP complies with BS EN 13706 for pultruded profiles, BS EN 4592 for industrial flooring, and achieves Class 2 fire performance under BS 476 Part 7. Instead, it stems from limited on-site familiarity with how GRP is handled, cut, fixed, and maintained compared to more traditional materials.
For construction teams, gaining this knowledge can make GRP a powerful addition to their material toolkit, delivering efficiency gains and long-term performance improvements.
Why the Knowledge Gap Exists
Historically, construction training and apprenticeships have focused heavily on metals, timber, and concrete. GRP has often been seen as a niche or specialist material, used in rail, marine, or chemical plant environments rather than mainstream construction. As a result, many site managers and tradespeople have never received formal instruction on working with it.
This lack of experience can lead to:
● Overestimating installation complexity
● Misunderstanding tooling requirements
● Incorrect specification of fixings or surface finishes
● Failure to capitalise on GRP’s speed of installation and reduced maintenance
Practical Training for On-Site Teams
One of the most effective ways to close the knowledge gap is targeted, on-site training before work begins.
This can include:
● Handling and Storage — GRP is lighter than steel and should be lifted to avoid surface damage from dragging.
● Cutting and Drilling — Standard hand or power tools with diamond-tipped blades are sufficient, avoiding hot works and welding.
● Fixing Methods — Mechanical fixings or bonding are used; galvanising and painting are unnecessary.
● Surface Safety — Anti-slip surfaces can be incorporated at manufacture to meet BS 7976 standards.
The Network Rail mesh fencing installation programme is a good example. Before deployment, crews were given short tool-box sessions on handling and fixing GRP panels. This reduced installation time and avoided errors that could have compromised compliance.
Specification Support for Contractors
Even experienced contractors benefit from having clear, accessible technical documentation. This includes load tables, fixing guides, and resin compatibility charts, enabling teams to make confident decisions without repeated queries to designers.
In the refurbishment of Poole’s Wharf pedestrian bridge, contractors used detailed installation guides for GRP Deck 500 panels to sequence work efficiently and ensure consistent slip-resistant finishes.
Benefits of Closing the Knowledge Gap
When contractors understand how to work with GRP, the benefits are immediate:
● Reduced installation times and fewer delays waiting for specialist trades or equipment
● Lower health and safety risk by avoiding hot works and heavy lifting
● Improved build quality, ensuring GRP performs to its full lifespan potential
● Greater willingness to specify GRP in future projects, expanding its use beyond specialist sectors
Conclusion
GRP’s potential in construction is not limited by its properties — it is limited by familiarity. By equipping contractors with practical skills and clear documentation, the industry can unlock faster builds, safer sites, and longer-lasting infrastructure.
As more teams gain hands-on experience, GRP will become a standard, rather than specialist, choice in the contractor’s toolkit.
