This SafeRack gangway installation for a new SOPREMA facility in Tongeren, Belgium. This gangway installation gives workers a safe way for workers to access the top hatches and silo valves and loading hoses for top-loading trucks
| Location | Tongeren, Belgium |
| Customer | SOPREMA |
| Product | SafeRack G4 Gangway |
| Industry | Construction and Insulation Materials |
| Facility Type | Production and Distribution Center |
SafeRack Solution
SafeRack’s gangway solution ensures worker safety and operational efficiency in accessing the silo tops for loading trucks. The gangway facilitates safe access to the valves and top loading hoses, integral for SOPREMA’s daily operations.
- Product: SafeRack SAS Gangway
- Material: Aluminum with stainless steel hardware
- Features:
- Self-Adjusting Stairs to accommodate varying vehicle heights
- Slip-resistant walk surface
- Safety cage with adjustable height for enhanced worker protection
- Lightweight and corrosion-resistant design
Key Benefits
- Safety: The SAS Gangway ensures workers can safely reach the top valves and loading hoses without the risk of falls or accidents.
- Efficiency: The gangway design allows for quick and easy adjustment to different truck heights, speeding up the loading process.
- Durability: Built with robust materials, the gangway is designed to withstand harsh industrial environments and weather conditions, ensuring long-term reliability.
- Customization: The gangway was tailored to meet SOPREMA’s specific needs, ensuring optimal integration with the facility’s operations.
Facility Background
SOPREMA’s new plant emphasizes sustainability. It features a fossil-free, nearly zero-energy building with green roofs and Corten steel accents. This facility is designed to blend seamlessly into the landscape, reinforcing SOPREMA’s commitment to environmentally responsible construction and operations.
Implementation
The installation of the SafeRack gangway was seamlessly integrated into SOPREMA’s new facility, aligning with their sustainable and efficient operational goals. Thanks to effective collaboration between SafeRack, SOPREMA, and the involved construction teams, the project was completed within the tight schedule required for the production start.
SafeRack’s gangway solution is crucial to SOPREMA’s new eco-friendly production plant, enhancing worker safety and operational efficiency. This installation reflects our commitment to delivering innovative and reliable access solutions tailored to the specific needs of global industrial clients.
XPS Insulation: Everything You Need to Know
What is XPS?
XPS (extruded polystyrene) is a popular thermal insulation material known for its high performance and durability. At SOPREMA’s XPS factory in Belgium, new XPS insulation boards are manufactured using recycled materials, including cutting waste from XPS panels and expanded polystyrene (EPS).
Pros and Cons of XPS
Pros:
- Excellent Lambda Value: Provides superior thermal insulation.
- High Compressive Strength: Suitable for heavy loads.
- Water Repellent: Ideal for use in humid environments.
- Lightweight: Easy to handle and install.
- Limited Thickness: Offers effective insulation without bulk.
- Rot Resistance: Long-lasting performance.
- Long Lifespan and Reliability: Durable over time.
- 100% Recyclable: Supports circular construction projects.
Cons:
- Fire Classification: XPS has a Euroclass E rating for fire resistance, which is not its strongest feature.
Applications: What Can XPS Be Used For?
- Underground Insulation: Ideal for foundation walls.
- Inverted Roofs: Combined with DUOFLEX for effective roofing solutions.
XPS versus Other Insulation Materials
- XPS vs. EPS:
- Cell Density: XPS has higher cell density, providing better compressive strength.
- Water Vapor Resistance: XPS is less permeable to moisture compared to EPS.
- XPS vs. PIR/PUR:
- Material Composition: PIR/PUR are chemical-based, while XPS is polystyrene-based.
- Thermal Performance: PIR/PUR offers better lambda values, but XPS has superior compressive strength.
- Moisture Resistance: XPS excels in humid environments, unlike PIR and PUR.
Conclusion
SafeRack’s gangway solution is crucial to SOPREMA’s new eco-friendly production plant, enhancing worker safety and operational efficiency. This installation reflects our commitment to delivering innovative and reliable access solutions tailored to the specific needs of global industrial clients. Additionally, SOPREMA’s use of XPS insulation demonstrates their dedication to sustainable building practices, ensuring long-term energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. For more information on SafeRack’s products and solutions, visit SafeRack.com.
