54
CONSTRUCTION WORLD
MARCH
2014
H
2
S has a low solubility in
wastewater and when it
escapes from the waste-
water and moves into
the air, it is easily recog-
nised by its characteristic
offensive, rotten egg odour. It can also be
responsible for severe corrosion problems
and toxic conditions within wastewater
conveyance and treatment facilities.
“Andrew Mentis has developed a range
of corrosion-resistant floor grating and
handrailing in galvanised, 304 stainless
steel and 3CR12 options that are ideally
suited to the extreme conditions found
in wastewater treatment plants. All prod-
ucts in these ranges are designed and
engineered to suit situations where the
strength to weight ratio is important, such
as wastewater treatment plants,” Elaine
van Rooyen, marketing manager of Andrew
Mentis, points out.
“The water and wastewater industry
encompasses the mechanical and chemical
processes used to remove pollutants from
wastewater, for reuse in the environment.
These processes can create a slippery envi-
ronment for operators and technicians,
with vapours, water and chemicals creating
slick underfoot and handhold conditions
near large machinery and tanks,” Van
Rooyen explains.
An emphasis on safety underpins the
development of all Andrew Mentis floor
grating and handrailing products. “Weak-
ened handrailings and floor gratings,
caused by corrosion and damp, can result
in slips, trips or falls. In addition, due to the
fact that broken handrailing or floor grating
needs to be replaced, downtime is incurred,
which negatively impacts on productivity,”
Van Rooyen says.
Galvanising or using stainless in a
wastewater treatment plant is not only a
safe and cost effective option, but it does
not compromise the aesthetics of the
environment. Andrew Mentis’ Rectagrid
RS40 floor grating is manufactured using a
pressure locking system pioneered by the
company. The locking characteristics guar-
antee the structural integrity of the product
and further enhance its integrity in a corro-
sive environment.
“The transversals on the floor grating
are positively and permanently locked to
the bearer bars and the locking method at
the intersections is designed to use the full
depth of the bearer bar when calculating
loads. This attention to detail ensures that
the load bearing capacity is top of mind
when design and manufacturing are under-
taken,” according to Van Rooyen.
Andrew Mentis’ stainless steel tubular
handrailing is reputed for its corrosion
and stain resistance qualities. “We have
designed the stanchion base plates to allow
moisture to drain from the stanchion itself,
thus adding further credence to its corro-
sion-resistant benefits. These handrails are
not only functional, but also resilient and
durable,” Van Rooyen says.
The tubular handrailing system is
complemented by a range of standard
angles and matching accessories, with
different bends and end closers adding to
the versatility of the product. “Enhanced
customer service was a driving factor, with
the stanchions and bends forming part of a
system of interlinking components that can
be installed without the need for special
tools,” Van Rooyen comments.
The stanchions are 42,9 mm diameter
by 2,5 mm wall thickness specifications,
>
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
in wastewater industry
BEATING CORROSION
When wastewater
travels through sewer
lines, it can become
anaerobic or septic (the
dissolved oxygen can
become depleted) as a
result of the metabolic
processes of microbes
commonly found in
the wastewater. Under
anaerobic conditions,
specific sulphate-
reducing bacteria
thrive and generate
hydrogen sulphide (H
2
S)
as a byproduct of their
respiration.
and are also available in 3CR12, 304 and
316 stainless steel polished to a satin finish.
“Both Rectagrid and Mentis handrailing
were selected for the Zeekoegat waste-
water treatment plant and other treatment
plants in the industry. We believe that each
application deserves individualised atten-
tion and as such we customise products
to meet specific application requirements,
within specified client timeframes,” Van
Rooyen concludes.
Mentis floor grating and handrailing meet the
arduous requirements in the WWTW sector.
Mentis floor grating and handrailing are ideally
suited for wastewater treatment plants.
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