A pedestrian walkway is a path that connects you from one point to another, keeping you dry on rainy days and protected from harsh sun rays. It is designed to provide protection and safety for pedestrians, and safety is definitely the main concern.

In this article, we will discuss the safety hazards when a Mild Steel Walkway needs to be built right next to an electrical station. We will also discuss our first project of implementing a Fiberglass-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) walkway at Taman Jaya LRT station almost a decade ago, which still stands today.

Pedestrian Walkway

When you are walking along the road and a sudden rain shower occurs, your first instinct is to seek shelter. A covered pedestrian walkway provides a big relief for most people in this situation. However, have you ever wondered what material the walkway is made of?

Mild Steel is a commonly used material for walkways due to its strength, durability, and affordability, but there are some downsides to using this material:

A steel walkway located beside an electrical station can present several electrical hazards. These hazards can be caused by exposed or improperly grounded electrical components.

The most significant hazard is electric shock, which can occur if someone comes into contact with an exposed live wire or electrical component. In some cases, electric shock can be fatal. Another hazard is arc flash, which occurs when there is an electrical fault or short circuit. This can produce a bright flash of light, intense heat, and pressure waves that can cause burns, hearing loss, and other injuries.

To prevent electrical hazards on a steel walkway located beside an electrical station, several safety measures should be taken. The walkway should be designed and constructed to meet safety standards and regulations, which includes ensuring that the walkway is properly grounded and that all electrical components are covered or shielded to prevent accidental contact. Alternatively, an alternative materials such as Fiberglass-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) could be used to eliminate all the potential safety hazards associated with steel walkways next to electrical station.

Fiberglass-Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Walkway in Taman Jaya LRT Station

In year 2014, we implemented our first FRP walkway design and project, covering a 140-meter distance walkway along the TNB power substation that connects Taman Jaya Open Car Park to Taman Jaya LRT Station. FRP was selected as an alternative to steel walkway due to the obvious reason of pedestrian safety.

The structure of this FRP walkway was approved by a professional engineer before it was installed on site during civil work. The walkway is composed of Fiberglass Pultruded Structural Profiles, as well as Fiberglass Roofing Solid Sheets. The trusses and purlins were designed using flat bars and square hollow sections, which are lightweight and able to bear a load of 3 meters per support. The walkway roofing was made of FRP solid sheets that come with a gelcoat to protect the appearance of the roofing sheet. Gelcoat is crucial in providing protection to composite products.

This project is a valuable reference and a great success for our business. We look forward to more cooperation opportunities to apply fiberglass design in marine, port, or seaside applications, as well as in areas such as kampong area that were previously built from wood.

We had summarized some of the benefits of FRP for your references