Construction

Both the constructability and long term integrity of gas, LNG and petrochemical plants can be significantly improved using our unique products FibaRoll and FibaShield. The end result of this specification upgrade is a project completed more easily and with lower life-cycle costs.

Constructability

All of our products combine fibre reinforcement and resilient polymers to deliver outstanding mechanical and flexural strength. In fact, the mechanical strength of FibaRoll and FibaShield cladding is such that vessels and piping can be insulated and clad prior to construction, in a workshop or on the ground close to site. This pre-finishing approach has many benefits, including:

• up to 80% reduction in hours onsite, often at a height, with consequent benefits for Health & Safety
• follow-on savings from reduction of site labour, e.g. for accommodation and subsistence
• reduction in the quantity of scaffolding needed and its duration on-site - again benefitting both Health & Safety and cost
• improvements in the quality control of insulation/cladding application as a result of working in a workshop rather than, say, one hundred metres up on scaffolding in driving rain (as in Singapore) or melting heat (Qatar) or freezing cold (Sakhalin) - FTI have supplied materials to each of these locations and have experienced all these environments!
• minimal paint retouching required because the insulation/cladding protects the coating between workshop and erection.

Because vessels and piping can be pre-insulated and stored, the normal construction schedule can be planned more effectively. For example, jetty piping can be pre-insulated before jetty piling is even started. This effectively completes a step (insulation/cladding of jetty piping) in the body of the project rather than at the end. By using this facility a project's Critical Path can be improved.

Furthermore, in many instances pipe support design can be dramatically simplified, as the pre-insulated pipe is self supporting and, for guide supports, can be fitted with simple clamps on the outside of the cladding. This further reduces work on site and the cost of high density PU supports or the fabrication of pipe shoes.

Long term integrity

This is significantly improved by pre-insulation both of vessels and piping. The primary risk for long term integrity of process plants is external corrosion, and this is particularly the case with Corrosion under Insulation, "CUI". Pre-insulation reduces the risks of CUI by the following:

• because the pipe or vessel is pre-insulated and clad with a mechanically strong and robust material the coating will not be damaged. The coating is one of the main barriers against corrosion and if this is in good repair it follows that corrosion is less likely
• often insulation is applied when it is already damp. This can be due to poor storage or having been installed during rain. Pre-insulation in a workshop minimises this risk
• effective sealing around pipe shoes is very difficult, providing an area where water can enter the insulation system and eventually cause CUI. As mentioned above, our systems eliminate the need for pipe shoes
• terminations are another notoriously weak area. As detailed in other parts of this website, FibaRoll is very strong at terminations and, when properly applied, provides a watertight, mechanically strong system.

In conclusion, selection of the FibaRoll and FibaShield systems for pre-insulation of vessels and piping delivers valuable benefits - both in the construction and ownership phases of many projects.