Environment and Water Management

Our protection and closure elements are suitable for applications such as tanks, silos, large containers, or conveyor systems. To ensure economical and cost efficiency, we offer numerous modular system variants of our products. Special constructions, such as non-round covers, are easily done.

The functions and dimensions of the covers do not permit a standardized design. Nevertheless, to ensure economic efficiency and cost effectiveness, we offer numerous modular system variants of our products. Special designs, for example non-circular covers, are possible without any problems. Over the years, many such innovative designs have been created, some with very large spans.

As part of project management, we offer support in your selection of the right type, construction, static calculations and approving the building dimensions on site. Our experienced teams also takes care of the final installation on site.

Our fiberglass cover systems effectively

• protect against the effects of weather (rain, snow, hail, cold, air, light), for example in silos
• protect against external contamination by dust or drifting sand, for example in water tanks and clarifiers
• protect against the penetration of germs (from birds, among others) in sewage treatment plants
• prevent odor nuisance to residents, for example in thickeners and sludge silos in sewage treatment plants
• prevent the spread of aerosols, for example in aeration tanks in sewage treatment plants
• prevent evaporation losses, for example in water storage tanks
• create an enclosure for outdoor noise sources, for example in pumps, turbines and elevators in water and wastewater engineering
• maintain the prescribed temperature, for example in biological wastewater treatment plants

Please see our brochure “Covering Systems” for detailed information.

C.F. Maier Composites Inc. provides cover systems made of FRP and stainless steel hardware (V4A) instead of aluminum. These materials help to prevent corrosion issues and leave the systems resistant to sulfuric acid. The systems have a durability lasting more than 35 years. Some systems provide integrated nuts, requiring only screws from above for an efficient assembly.

Some areas require cover solutions for very high or low temperatures. With an FRP system and the right materials, covers can be resistant to temperatures ranging from -30 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. For maintenance, it is important to have a walkable surface for inspections – modern covers feature a non-slip surface to make these inspections safe and easy.

Cover systems can be made almost exclusively from fiber-reinforced plastic. These materials and their advantages have been well known for years: high strength, low weight, chemical resistance, good color ability, ultraviolet light resistance and maximum options for shaping. They also hold extreme resistance to weathering and ageing. Some of these covers are more than 35 years in use without any maintenance.

The FRP components are incorporated in the form of mats, fabrics and non-woven, with strict adherence to the structural analysis and with appropriate safety margins. Often, stainless steel is used for connecting elements. Cut edges, drilled holes and the like are carefully sealed for dependable prevention of moisture penetration into the laminate.

Due to the strength of the material, FRP cover systems are all mostly self-supporting with the ability to span great distances (in excess of 225-foot diameter tanks). The process of hand lamination of parts gives a lot of creative space for customized designs.

Outside the U.S. many covers for wastewater tanks in Europe and Middle East use FRP material in order to cover tanks. It does not matter if the tanks are round, rectangular or have another special shape. Utility maintenance holes, doors, stairs, fences and ladders can be integrated into the overall design of the cover.

(From the article “Walkable FRP Cover Systems for Tanks”, published in Wastewater Digest September/October 2023)