Industrial Fiberglass
Doors
By Gilbert Chapin, Doors and
Hardware, March 2000, in part
Industrial fiberglass doors and frames are used in corrosive situations
where regular hollow metal doors cannot be installed because they would
rust over time. Depending on the grade of fiberglass used, FRP (fiberglass
reinforced plastic) doors and frames are immune to some chemicals. See the
chart on this page for an abbreviated list of these chemicals.
Some of the major industries that
regularly use FRP doors include: waste water treatment; water treatment;
pharmaceuticals; food processing; zoos/aquariums; pools/chlorine rooms;
car washes; hospitals; refineries; chemical plants; pulp/paper mills; and
schools.
The construction
The questions below are samples of what end users may ask prior to
purchasing an industrial fiberglass door and frame system.
- Is the door seamless?
- What core material is available (e.g.,
urethane, end grain balsa, and honey-comb cores)?
- Is structural support of high
importance?
- What is the construction of the stiles
and rails?
- What is the window reinforcement?
- What colors are available?
- Are both matte and high-gloss colors
available?
- Are labeled fire doors available? (Up
to 90-minute "B" labeled fire doors are on the market.)
- Are there UV inhibitors in the
fiberglass?
- What is the warranty? (Anywhere
between 10 and 20 years against corrosion is standard in the industry.)
Extended warranties relating to rusting are considered on a job-by-job
basis by some FRP manufacturers if the end user requests it.
The marketplace
FRP doors are usually found between 8119-8220 in plans and specifications.
Today, the majority of architects in the United States have some knowledge
of this niche product.
Below are sample questions an architect
may ask when dealing with your product.
- What chemicals are the door and frame
immune to?
- Does the door accept full mortise
hinges or only half surface hinges?
- Are there any hardware restrictions?
If so, what?
- How strong is the door? Has it passed
a slam test and with what results? Has it passed an impact test and with
what results? Has it passed a screw withdrawal test to see what it would
take to pull the screws out of the stile and rails?
- Has the door passed the Dade County
(Florida) Hurricane Test, which is critical in Florida?
- What is the warranty?
As for direct sales of FRP doors, some
manufacturers have made the marketing decision to sell directly to end
users as well as through distributors. Other manufacturers sell only to
distributors, who in turn sell the product to the end user. |
Most FRP doors
are installed much like hollow metal doors. If a commercial door and
hardware distributor is selling and getting hollow metal doors installed,
that distributor will find selling FRP doors will "mesh" well in their
business.
| Satisfactory
results at chemical concentration noted: |
| |
Acetic Acid |
25% |
| |
Calcium Chloride |
100% |
| |
Copper Sulfate |
100% |
| |
Ethylene Glycol |
100% |
| |
Ferric Sulfate |
100% |
| |
Fatty Acids |
100% |
| |
Gasoline, Auto |
100% |
| |
Hydrochloric Acid |
37% |
| |
Kerosene/Fuel Oil |
100% |
| |
Magnesium Chloride |
100% |
| |
Mineral Oil |
100% |
| |
Naptha |
100% |
| |
Sodium Bisulfate |
100% |
| |
Sodium Chloride |
100% |
| |
Sodium Nitrate |
100% |
| |
Sodium Silicate |
100% |
| |
Sodium Sulfate |
100% |
| |
Sulfuric Acid |
50% |
| |
Salt Water |
100% |
| |
Zinc Sulfate |
100% |
(1.) The data presented in the above chart
are a guide only. Specific environments should be evaluated individually.
(2.) High temperatures (above 160[degrees]F) will have a negative effect on
some of the information in this chart. In these instances, other grades of
fiberglass can be used successfully.
|
