You are about to submit another project tender and the design specifies concrete pipe for the stormwater drainage. So which concrete pipe will you use? Fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) pipe or steel reinforced concrete (SRC) pipe? Before you decide, be sure to consider these important points…

Many people will evaluate how well each pipe will meet their priorities. For some people, the sole priority is to minimise the upfront purchase cost, and this may be the only factor that determines which pipe they buy. However, other people may want the pipe to meet other priorities as well.

If we look at some typical contractors we could assume that priorities include minimizing the ‘total’ project cost, and not just upfront costs? And keeping construction time to a minimum? And what about ensuring minimal risk of any problems with material performance?

An appreciation of these issues has been the driving force behind the continual development and refinement of FRC™ pipes. By combining our unique technologies with innovative design we have produced a world-class stormwater pipe which delivers much more than other concrete pipes.

FRC™ pipes have significant benefits over and above other concrete pipe materials. The standard 4 metre lengths, impressive strength performance, and easy handling, make FRC™ pipes a superior value proposition for any contractor. So how do these translate into actual benefits for your bottomline?

1. Longer pipe lengths mean fewer pipes and less installation time
Consider this. You need to install a 100 metre pipeline. A simple calculation will tell you that this would require 41 lengths of SRC pipes (@ 2.44m per length), but only 25 lengths of FRC™ pipes (@ 4.00m per length). This provides a saving of 16 pipe lengths, which is a pretty impressive difference in just 100 metres.

16 less lengths will save you both time and money. Less pipes to buy and less time to install the pipeline. These savings can make a big impact on your bottom-line, making your tender even more competitive. See for yourself. Click here to enter your pipeline needs into our new Installation Cost Comparison calculator and find out how FRC™ pipes can deliver significant installation savings and make you more competitive.

2. Stronger pipes mean less risk to your bottomline
No-one wants cracked pipes on their projects. Cracked pipes cost time and money and can have a damaging effect on your bottom-line. While correct pipe class selection and installation techniques will help to prevent pipe damage occurring, using stronger pipes will minimise your risk even further.

Testing has actually proven that FRC™ pipes provide a far higher factor of safety in buried installations than SRC pipe. The impressive long-term performance of FRC™ pipe is attributed in part to its unique deflection capability, and its ability to gain extra load capacity by engaging support from the surrounding soil in which it is buried.

Contractors who choose the strongest concrete pipe will enjoy extra peace of mind as they minimise their risk.

3. Easier handling means faster installation
At around half the weight per metre FRC™ pipes are easier to transport and easier to install. The pipes are transported to site in safety crates to provide more efficient transportation configuration and safer onsite storage. The ease of handling means that FRC™ pipes are also generally faster to install. Yet again, FRC™ pipes can save you time and money.

These three benefits are unique to FRC™ pipes. While this is certainly not an exhaustive list of the features and benefits of FRC™ pipes, these advantages can create significant value for your project. With fewer pipes to purchase, less installation time, and less risk, FRC™ pipes can help you be more competitive than ever.

Give James Hardie a call today and we’ll show you how we can add more value to your project.