GFRP

GFRP Classic primary barrier : Forensic mortuary | BSL-3

 

APPLICATIONS

GFRP panels are the basis of design for some of the most sophisticated cleanrooms and high-containment facilities throughout the world. In doing these projects our involvement begins at the first stages through to final construction and there after. A big part of meeting the different requirements and understanding what is needed, starts with a chat and from there we work with A&E teams, lab designers and key people in the construction crew. What Arcoplast bring to the table is 40 years of boots on the ground experience, and if needed, our contacts consisting of many highly skilled people within the industry.

 

Once construction is complete and the facility is certified, the working life cycle begins. The primary barrier must meet operational standards and compliancy, maintain 24/7 air pressure, endure the relentless cleaning, decon, sterilization régimes... to date GFRP primary barriers have a 100% pass rate.

GFRP seamless primary barriers are installed in industries and scientific facilities not limited to : Life Sciences, Health, University research departments, IT, Industrial production... the list below goes into more detail :

Biosecurity Laboratories :

Maintaining safety and security in these critical environments is paramount. The GFRP primary barrier surface is ultra smooth, this minimalists microbial attachment, mitigates rick of contamination, improves the efficacies of cleaning, decon, sterilization.

High Impact Zones in Vivariums :

In areas where animals are housed and handled, surfaces must withstand constant wear and impacts. GFRP primary barriers are robust and able to endure harsh working conditions, making them ideal for high-demand environments.

Food and Beverage Wet Rooms :

Food and beverage processing, hygiene and cleanliness is first and foremost. The GFRP seamless primary barrier has the ultra smooth GelCoat surface, the surface is impervious to moisture and does not support microbial activity, making for efficient cleaning and sterilization.

Toxic High Saline Cleanrooms :

Facilities exposed to corrosive or saline substances require materials that withstand harsh conditions. GFRP primary barriers are highly resistant to corrosion, chemicals, is impervious to moisture and able to endure wet or dry toxic environments.

 

DEDICATED :

Creating a primary barrier using only the GFRP panel system.

Dedicated GFRP primary barriers have the resounding benefit of shear strength, and resilience to impact. GFRP is the recommended system for BSL-4 laboratories.

HYBRID :

Creating a primary barrier using a combination of GFRP and Acryloyl, and or GFRMC.

Every project presents its own set of requirements relevant to the design and construction of the facility. Hybrid Primary Barrier Systems offer a versatile solution for establishing designated specialized areas, using a Hybrid system whereby integrating GFRP 9.5mm and 12.5mm panels with Acryloyl panels presents numerous benefits, including cost. Other possibilities through the utilization of materials like GFRP Ultra or Steel Core, these systems can be constructed in combination to withstand extreme impact. Lead shielding finds its application in Radiology, whereby GFRP panels are only able to be used in a capacity where no primary or secondary radiation occurs.

MANUFACTURE :

The manufacture of all Arcoplast GFRP panels consists of the wetting out glass fiber resin process. This is done in multiple applications to achieve a specific thickness, strength, and physical mechanical properties, resulting in the finished panel manufactured to an exact specification.

Hygiene :

Does not support microbial activity, bacteria, mildew, or fungus.

Panel Color :

Available in most pantone (PMS) colors. Standard color is pristine white.

Structural Integrity :

Rigid, impermeable, resilient to corrosion, does not blister, delaminate, shrink, flake or peel. GFRP primary barriers have a long life cycle and no rejuvenating maintenance programs, minimizing downtime and interruptions, equating to a favorable return on investment.

 

GFRP SURFACE TESTS :

Description : GFRP GelCoat high gloss surface	Test	Result
Degree of Surface Disfigurement by Fungal Growth	ASTM D 3274	No Fungal Growth
Resistance to Bacteria	ISO 8464-B-C	No Fungal Growth
Resistance to Mold on Surface	ASTM D 3273	Resistance to Fungi
Surface Burning Characteristics. Whole Panel, Class A	ASTM E 84	Pass
Water Vapor Transmission and Permeance, F 73º degrees at 50 percent relative humidity	ASTM E 96	Less than 0.01 perms

 

CLEANING DECON SANITATION

• Chlorine dioxide
• Formaldehyde gas
• Hydrogen vapor peroxide


• High pressure hose wash down
• Mop wash down
• Squeegee wipe down

SURFACE TOPOGRAPHY :

The largest surface area inside a cleanroom is the primary barrier.

Primary Barriers with ultra smooth surfaces having an Ra* of 0.8μm typically have nominal microbial attachment, resulting in significantly improving the efficiency of the cleaning, decon, sterilization of the primary barrier surface, thus mitigating many risks of contamination.

The international standard for hygienic design ISO 4287.23 stipulates the topography and roughness of a surface is : Ra* 0.82μm or less. It is commonly understood most forms of bacteria thrive in a sessile state by bonding to a surface using one of four different methods : attachment, adherence, adhesion or entrapment. It is also noted the rougher the surface the stronger the attachment force.

As an example : Sessile cells protected in a Biofilm made up of extracellular polymeric substances are less likely to be a risk when a primary barriers surface is Ra* 0.8μm or less.

For these test results the Ra master test micrometer reading was set at 0.40
Micrometer symbol : μm.
Micrometer / Micron, is a metric unit of measure for a length equal to 0.001 mm, or about 0.000039 inch.

Dimensional Surface Topography	Acryloyl	GFRMC	GFRP
Ra: Roughness Average*	0.020 μm	0.01 μm	0.082 μm
Rq: Roughness, root mean square average	0.03 μm	0.02 μm	0.135 μm
Rz: Average Maximum Height of the Profile	0.16 μm	0.013 μm	0.817 μm
Rp: Maximum Profile Peak Height	0.09 μm	0.07 μm	0.604 μm
Rv: Maximum Profile Valley Depth	0.07 μm	0.06 μm	0.213 μm
Rt: Maximum Height of the Profile	0.21 μm	0.18 μm	2.384 μm

 

COMPLIANCE

 

GFRP : DEDICATED BARRIER	USP 797-800. CL2, CL3. BSL-2, BSL-3, ABSL-3, BSL-3Ag, BSL-4. PC2, PC3, PC4
GFRP - ACRYLOYL : HYBRID BARRIER	USP 797-800. CL2, CL3. BSL-2, BSL-3, ABSL-3, BSL-3Ag, BSL-4. PC2, PC3, PC4
GFRP - GFRMC : HYBRID BARRIER	USP 797-800. CL2, CL3. BSL-2, BSL-3, ABSL-3, BSL-3Ag. PC2, PC3

 

Dust Particulates ISO Test	Compliant
Full scale room fire test: ISO 9705 Annex B	Pass
Seismic category	A, B, C, D, E, F
Seismic: Shear strength lateral movement – Corner section assembly	GFRP 9.5mm panel: Test result 330 lbf
US and International building standards	Compliant
VOC: GC-MS Test	No VOCs detected

 

Arcoplast primary barriers are void of VOCs, and thus facilitates a clean neutral environment for people, animals and occupants.

 

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GFRP : 12.5mm PANEL KERF

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INSTALLATION. Brief overview

Most GFRP wall and ceiling installations do not require pre-engineering procedures. Installing GFRP panels using the Arcoplast dry build method, generates minimal dust and waste, is clean and efficient, there are no complex on-site preparations such as surface coatings, sanding, painting, or protracted drying times.

Repurposing or Modernizing a facility is a clean, quick process. The ready to install GFRP panels are directly attached to the existing surface using A-2020 structural adhesive. Four hours latter A-1010 Bio-Seal is used to seal and finish the panel joints. Note : Before direct attaching panels to any surface, make sure the surface is clean and able to support the new panels.

GFRP Back Plate Lining System :

Panel thickness : 5mm • 9.5mm • 12.5mm • 19mm
Lining or relining a facility is a quick clean process. The GFRP panels and back plates are directly attached using A-2020 structural adhesive, the union joints and seams are sealed and finished using A-1010 Bio-Seal. Please note : Before direct attaching back plates and panels to any surface, make sure the surface is clean and able to support the new panels.

 

*Fasteners are used to fix the back plate or spline to the substrate/ framing. Fasteners do not penetrate the barrier surface.

GFRP Spline System :

Panel thickness : 9.5mm • 12.5mm • 19mm
GFRP corner and wall seismic or non seismic splines, locate the GFRP panels into the correct position using *fasteners and VHB tape. A-2020 structural adhesive bonds the panels and spline assembly to the framing. A-1010 Bio-Seal is used to seal and finish panel joints, resulting in a seamless single membrane primary barrier.

 

Direct attach :

Directly attaching fixtures and MEP devices to the Primary Barrier is achieved using A-2020 structural adhesive and A-1010 Bio-Seal aided with fasteners and brackets as required. Please note once fixed to the wall, it is impossible to remove the fixture without cutting the panel.

 

Penetrations :

When penetrating a GFRP Primary Barrier, A-1010 Bio-Seal three in one adhesive sealant finishing compound is used to form an air, water tight, seamless seal in and around the penetration.

 

Repair :

In the event of accidental damage, the GFRP Primary Barrier is able to be repaired in situ, back to new.

 

Note : Arcoplast is not a domestic product. All Arcoplast installations are to be carried out by trained experienced trades people.

 

CONCLUSION

Extended Longevity :

GFRP primary barriers are renowned for their long life cycle, maintaining structural integrity, thereby reducing the need for replacement.

High Robustness :

The GFRP seamless primary barrier is robust, able to endure harsh working conditions. It can resist damage from physical impacts, exposure to chemicals, high-humidity and toxic saline environments.

Integrity and Surface Stability :

GFRP is resistance to common forms of degradation. The barrier does not delaminate, flake, shed, peel, or separate, ensuring a continuous, smooth surface over its lifespan.

Low Maintenance Requirements :

GFRP primary barriers do not require rejuvenating maintenance programs. This characteristic supports uninterrupted work flows, crucial for industries that rely on continuous operations.

Rigorous Cleaning :

GFRP Primary barriers are cleaned, decontaminated and sterilized with mop and bucket, high pressure wash downs, chlorine dioxide, formaldehyde gas, hydrogen vapor peroxide. These are standard procedures for industries where hygiene and contamination control are paramount, such as : life sciences, Bio-Security, Bio-Safety, Medical, Pharmaceutical, Food & Bev Industries...

The GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer) seamless primary barriers are reliable, low-maintenance, designed for high demand working conditions where durability and minimal operational interruptions are critical factors in maintaining continuous workflow and production quality.