How have the performance and/or application of fiberglass pipe changed during the last five to 10 years?
Design engineers are gaining knowledge and experience with fiberglass pipe material rather than relying on standard civil engineering curriculums that typically address traditional piping materials. Municipal and consulting engineers are gaining on-the-job exposure to and experience with new marketplace materials such as fiberglass piping. This is making a major impact in many market areas, including the large-diameter municipal piping sector. For example, nine out of 10 of ENR’s top 500 design firms are specifying fiberglass piping for the municipal market. In addition, more than 70 million feet of underground fiberglass piping has been installed in petroleum service, including crude oil production fields and most retail service stations. From a life-cycle cost approach, fiberglass piping has been found to be the lowest cost, long-term alternative for many applications. Fiberglass piping exhibits long life in septic sewers; long-term high-flow rate hydraulics due to its non-porous int
