Asphalt is a construction material composed of crushed stone, gravel, and sand mixed with bitumen, a sticky byproduct of petroleum. It is used to build roads and other infrastructure.
It’s essential to find a reliable supplier for this construction product. A comprehensive reliability analysis methodology is required to capture the impact of input variability on predicted pavement performance. It will deliver sections with uniform reliability and facilitate reliability-based pavement design.
Safety
The best asphalt suppliers near me understand the importance of safety and take it seriously. They set clear standards, follow them consistently, and communicate these expectations to their entire team. For example, a tanker truck filled with liquid asphalt can spill at any point, creating a severe health and safety hazard. The resulting hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas can be toxic if it reaches hazardous concentrations. Workers must be protected against this hazard with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). It includes a respirator that can be adjusted for temperatures and clear instructions for its proper use. Also, proper ventilation systems help prevent the build-up of H2S fumes and other harmful gases. Isolation and enclosure also minimize the risk of burns or exposure to hot asphalt.
Additionally, emergency response procedures should be communicated in case fumes overcome a worker or suffer burns. It will ensure that the employee gets immediate assistance and treatment. Moreover, it will speed up getting the individual back to work.
Warranty
The paving season is a busy one for asphalt plants. Unexpected downtime during this time can be costly to both your business and your customers. A reputable asphalt supplier will be aware of the pitfalls during this season and have a plan to avoid these issues. A reliable asphalt plant also needs to have a variety of spare parts on hand, such as screws and bolts, that are used for many different applications, from adjusting conveyor heights to powering specific mixers. Keeping these components in stock ensures the plant can operate as needed without any downtime due to mechanical failures. Additionally, it is essential to check for the proper tracking of conveyors, as a poorly tracked conveyor can produce poor-quality products and cause safety hazards.
High-Quality Spare Parts
A reliable asphalt supplier will have a comprehensive inventory of genuine replacement parts, enabling you to keep your plant running smoothly. Genuine parts are constructed with durability in mind, ensuring they can withstand the harsh environment of an asphalt mixing plant. Their longevity translates into fewer replacements and repairs, saving you money.
Authentic replacement components also offer an opportunity to adapt your asphalt plant to changing production requirements. For example, if your burner does not meet safety compliance standards, replacing it with an appropriate component will mitigate potential hazards and promote a safer working environment. Whether you want to expand your operations into new markets or improve your margins, shipping asphalt by rail is a cost-effective solution. Railroad cars can accommodate more significant quantities of product than trucks and are typically three to four times more fuel efficient, reducing your carbon footprint. They also require less maintenance than trucks, lowering operating costs.
Flexibility
Asphalt producers and suppliers can expect growth in demand for their products over the next several years. President Biden’s new infrastructure plan includes various road and bridge projects that will spur demand for asphalt. Investing in a mobile asphalt plant is an affordable and efficient way to meet demand. This type of plant can produce different mix designs within one production run and be transported to multiple job sites on the same day. Before committing to a portable plant, asphalt producers should consider how often the plant will need to be moved. The time spent transporting the machine will significantly impact overall costs and efficiency.
Additionally, asphalt producers should consider whether they want to rely solely on trucks to ship their products or if they would like to access a more extensive rail network without investing in tracks. Many asphalt refiners and producers use trans-loading facilities to gain access to a nationwide rail network and reduce their shipping costs.
