Most of the FAQ’ s listed under Covers apply equally to RoadPlates the Questions Listed Below are Specifically those that apply to Comcore RoadPlates
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers.
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Questions:
(1) How come the Comcore RoadPlates don’t come in the same sizes as the steel road plates that we currently use? (answer)
(2) The purchase price of steel road plates tends to be much less than the purchase price of Comcore RoadPlates. How can the price difference be justified? (answer)
(3) Have there been any independent studies showing the "User" cost difference between composite road plates, like the Comcore RoadPlate, and steel road plates? (answer)
(4) Can a Comcore RoadPlate be Certified for use as Trench Shoring? (answer)
(5) Does UPI have any trench shields that allow Trench Shoring a hole with multiple services? (answer)
(6) Can UPI customize a trench shield to accommodate a "Users" requirements? (answer)
(7) How do yo transport a Comcore Trench Shoring Shield?
(1) How come the Comcore RoadPlates don’t come in the same sizes as the steel road plates that we currently use?
First, Comcore RoadPlates are designed and constructed so that they can be easily lifted, transported and installed by 2 people. If you make the Comcore RoadPlates too large they will exceed the OSHA weight limits for 2 people. UPI makes RoadPlates up to 4’ x 8’.
Second, the Comcore RoadPlates only require a 1 ft. overlap on two parallel sides. For purposes of safety steel plates should have a minimum overlap of 2 ft. Thus a 5’ x 6’ Comcore RoadPlate is actually equivalent to a 5’ x 8’ or 7’ x 6’ steel plate. A 4’ x 8’ Comcore RoadPlate is equivalent to a 4’ x 10’ or 6’ x 8’ steel road plate. Third, Comcore RoaPlates are applications oriented. These applications have hole sizes that typically range between 3’ and 6’ and can be safely covered by one one of the Comcore RoadPlates. IT’S NOT THE SIZE OF THE PLATE THAT’S IMPORTANT. IT’S THE SIZE OF THE HOLE THAT’S IMPORTANT. Thus, UPI choose not to duplicate the size of the steel plates but to design plates that were appropriate for the application.
(2) The purchase price of steel road plates tends to be much less than the purchase price of Comcore RoadPlates. How can the price difference be justified?
It’s true. The Purchase price of steel road plates is much less than that of the Comcore RoadPlates. However, the use of steel road plates requires a significant amount of equipment and personnel to deliver, install and remove them. This cuts downproductive work time, presents risk of accident and is very costly. The cost of a steel road plate comes in its use and not in its purchase so that the more you use a steel road plate the more it costs. With a Comcore RoadPlate you pay for it up front, but there is almost no use cost.
(3) Have there been any independent studies showing the "User" cost difference between composite road plates, like the Comcore RoadPlate, and steel road plates?
In May of 1992 the Electrical Power Research Institute (EPRI) published the results of a study that they had conducted showing that there is a savings of $132 per plate every time it was used when using lightweight composite plates instead of steel road plates. (EPRI, "Potential for Plate Installation Savings", Table 2-1, May 1992.
(4) Can a Comcore RoadPlate be Certified for use as Trench Shoring?
In addition to its use as a replacement for steel road plates, the Comcore RoadPlate is certified to exceed all OSHA requirements for use as Trench Shoring in excavations up to 12 ft. deep having Type C soil. (OSHA Subpart P). In addition to its own fiberglass frame, the Comcore RoadPlate is certified for use as Trench Shoring with mechanical spreaders, air shores and vertical hydraulic shores.
(5) Does UPI have any trench shields that allow Trench Shoring a hole with multiple services?
UPI makes an array of Trench Shoring panels that can be used in conjunction with its frame to form a trench shield that will allow the Trench Shoring of a hole that has multiple services crossing the main. It’s referred to as a "Crossing Service Trench Shield".
(6) Can UPI customize a trench shield to accommodate a "Users" requirements?
UPI makes an array of Trench Shoring panels that can be put together to form a trench shield that will meet the specific requirements of the "USER". More importantly, the trench shield can be restructured as needed for the job just like an erector set.
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