Infrastructure
Underground enclosures are crucial to provide access to fiber networks and electrical equipment while protecting them from frost, rust, and the elements. For decades, these enclosures have been constructed from polymer concrete – a heavy, bulky, unwieldy, unsafe, and environmentally unfriendly product. There had to be a better solution; and Oldcastle Infrastructure’s product team came up with the answer. Duralite: The lightweight solution you’ve been waiting for With safety, efficiency, cost savings, and eco-friendliness at its core, Duralite is a lightweight alternative to polymer concrete handholes. Designed to exceed product performance standards for polymer concrete, Duralite is also 50 percent lighter than the old technology. This weight reduction creates value for buyers and end users downstream by reducing overall installation time, maximizing equipment efficiency, and mitigating safety risks. Duralite also meets all ANSI SCTE 77 performance standards. Environmental impact crucial Oldcastle Infrastructure is committed to improving manufacturing methods to be more sustainable. Duralite has over 30 percent recycled material in the final product. Its eco-friendly profile allows easier and lighter transportation options, which translates to saving money and carbon footprint. Compared to polymer concrete, Duralite is a no-brainer for saving time, money, and the environment. Saving time. Reducing cost. Duralite is easier to maneuver at the inventory yard and installation site. Its reduced weight allows contractors to use lighter-duty equipment like pickup trucks instead of flatbeds. This translates into fuel cost savings and a lower carbon footprint. The revolutionary product also maximizes excavator efficiency. By switching to Duralite, an excavator can dig one hole and immediately move on to the next installation site. This is because most Duralite products can be safely lifted and installed by two people by hand while the excavator is prepping the next installation site. This reduces installation time and the need for heavy-duty equipment while helping contractors install more boxes faster.
As Duralite is 50 percent lighter and much easier to lift than polymer concrete, it reduces the risk of injury associated with maneuvering and leveling the box during installation.
Data from multiple installations reveals that contractors complete their projects 30 percent faster by using Duralite instead of traditional polymer concrete. Safer design limits injuries As Duralite is 50 percent lighter and easier to lift than polymer concrete, it reduces the risk of injury associated with maneuvering and leveling the box during installation. If a Duralite box falls on someone, they can walk away from the injury. The same incident with polymer concrete could result in severe injury or loss of life. Dropping the cover into the body of a handhole is risky for hand and finger injuries as well. Since Duralite covers are significantly lighter than polymer concrete, installers are much less likely to break their fingers when inserting the cover into the box. Lighter and better in every way When choosing the right Tier 15 or Tier 22 enclosure to complete your job, the overall improvement of Duralite compared to polymer concrete cannot be understated. Duralite is lighter, faster, safer, and results in a lower carbon footprint – helping communication service providers and utilities save time, money, and the environment.
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Most Duralite products can be safely lifted and installed by two people by hand, thus reducing installation time while helping contractors install more boxes faster.
38 Fall 2024
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