Fiberglass installation at Bremnes Seashore in Trovåg, Norway.
Fiberglass installation at Bremnes Seashore in Trovåg, Norway.

FRP installation guidelines

All major installations must adhere to certain health and safety regulations, depending both on local conditions and the nature of the installation. Unless appropriate safety measures are taken, cutting and grinding can be a hazardous activity, with significant risk of personal injury or product damage.

Oglaend System’s products and systems in FRP/GRP material offer the best possible protection for today’s demanding environments. Our support channels are designed to deliver weight reductions while maintaining strength and maximising loading capacity. 

Appropriate safety measures must be taken to avoid hazardous situations. Always wear protective gear when cutting or grinding fiberglass. Even though the dust created is non-toxic, it can still cause skin irritations and itching.

Use Protective Gear

  • Safety glasses
  • Dust mask
  • Gloves
  • Long-sleeve/overalls

Selecting the right tools

  • On-site cutting is easily done with the use of a circular power saw.
  • Diamond or carbide grit edged saw blades and carbide tip drill bits are best suited for fiberglass.
  • Fiberglass is easy to work with and only requires regular hand-tools for installation.

Cutting and drilling

  • When cutting, grinding or sanding fiberglass it is important to wear appropriate clothing to protect the operator. Safety glasses, dust mask and gloves are necessary.
  • We also recommend wearing a long-sleeved shirt or overalls when working with fiberglass. Because the non-toxic dust that is created can cause skin irritations. The amount of irritant varies among different individuals, and is easily reduced or eliminated by wearing protective clothing.
  • Avoid excessive pressure when sawing or drilling, because this force can wear down the tools.
  • Refrain from generating excessive heat in any sawing or drilling operation. The heat can soften the resin and produce a rough edge. Excessive heat will also burn the resin and fibreglass.
  • Provide rigid support for the profile material during the cutting or drilling process. Movement may cause chipping at the profile's edges.

After treatment and installation

  • From our extensive testing and on-site experience, the quality of our FRP profiles are such that cut ends and holes do not require sealant in most harsh environments. The requirement for additional sealant applied to cut ends and holes should be considered by the specifier, engineering company or owner based on their environmental evaluation, and specified as a scope of work for the installation contractor. 
  • When installing cable ladders or cable trays from Oglaend System, ensure that you only use original parts, which make up part or all of the main support system. This includes for example splice plates, fittings, fixing clamps and FRP supports. Using non Oglaend System products will affect the loading performance and warranty of the whole system. 

To prolong the service life of the product it should be installed in compliance with the standards set forth in the current version of National Electric Code and NEMA Publications FG-1.

WARNING! Fiberglass products should not be used as a walkway, ladder or any type of support for personnel. Our cable ladders and trays are designed to be used as mechanical support for cables, pipes and tubing only.