What to Note for GRG Component Transport and Storage? How to Prevent Damage?

What should be noted when transporting and storing GRG components? How can damage be prevented? As a building material category widely used in indoor decorative scenes with irregular shapes, the integrity of finished GRG (Glass Fiber Reinforced Gypsum) components directly affects subsequent installation results and project delivery quality. Many contractors have encountered problems such as chipped corners from transportation bumps and moisture-induced deformation during storage. Drawing on nearly 30 years of hands-on experience in full-chain service of irregular building materials, we have compiled directly actionable operational standards from four dimensions: pre-transportation pretreatment, in-transit control, storage site specifications, and damage prevention mechanisms. The core prerequisite for protecting finished GRG components is completing standardized pretreatment procedures before leaving the factory. Unlike ordinary gypsum products, GRG components are mostly customized arc-shaped and curved designs, and the stress-concentrated edge and corner areas have weak impact resistance. Before leaving the factory, 3cm-thick EVA buffer strips need to be attached to all exposed edges and corners, and large components weighing over 50kg per piece must also be fitted with cross-shaped solid wood reinforcing keels on the back to prevent hidden cracks during handling. Also note that all components must undergo at least 24 hours of natural shade drying before leaving the factory, with moisture content controlled within 8%. This step is often omitted by many factories and is also the core cause of subsequent moisture deformation during storage. The key points of loss prevention during GRG component transportation focus on two aspects: loading and securing, and adapting to road conditions. Before loading, first lay 5cm-thick high-density foam padding on the truck bed, fill gaps between components tightly with EPE foam, keep the standing angle between 75-85 degrees, strictly prohibit flat stacking, limit each stack to no more than 3 layers, and add wooden spacer strips between layers to distribute pressure. For intercity long-distance transportation, prefer enclosed box trucks with shock-absorbing suspension systems to avoid component water absorption from rainfall in open-air freight; for on-site short-distance transfers, plan the route in advance, avoid potholes and steep slopes within the construction site, and keep speed within 15km/h, as sudden braking or sharp turns will cause components to shift and collide. The core risks during the GRG component storage stage are moisture, heavy pressure, and contamination from concurrent construction. The storage site should be a dry, ventilated indoor warehouse, with the ground raised at least 15cm for moisture-proofing to avoid gypsum base softening from direct contact with ground dampness; the warehouse temperature should be maintained at 10-30°C, relative humidity should not exceed 60%, and the area should be kept away from water sources, HVAC pipes, and other leak-prone zones. Component storage should also follow the standing placement principle: the tilt angle against the wall should not be less than 70 degrees, the bottom should be supported by wooden blocks without directly touching the wall, to avoid deformation from localized pressure. For temporary storage at the project site, cover component surfaces with waterproof geotextile to prevent cement and paint splatter from subsequent construction, and assign dedicated personnel for regular inspections to prevent GRG components from being crushed by other stacked construction materials. In addition to the above basic operations, industry-standard loss prevention mechanisms can further reduce the loss rate. In conventional projects, the normal loss rate of GRG components is controlled within 3%. For irregular curved surfaces or large single-piece components, 10% spare parts can be prepared simultaneously during factory production to avoid delays caused by re-molding production after a single component is damaged. Additionally, during unloading and transferring, prioritize construction personnel with GRG component handling experience to avoid human damage caused by rough loading and unloading. As a service provider that has participated in drafting multiple GRG-related industry standards, we have found through the implementation of nearly a thousand projects that over 80% of GRG component damage problems are not production quality issues, but result from improper operations during transportation and storage. By strictly following the above standards, the intact arrival rate of components can be raised to over 98%, avoiding unnecessary cost losses and schedule delays.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): 1. Can GRG components be stacked in the open air during transportation? Answer: Not recommended. The gypsum base of GRG will experience reduced strength and surface powdering when exposed to water. Open-air stacking exposed to rainfall will directly render components unusable; enclosed box trucks must be used for transportation. 2. How long can GRG components be kept in temporary on-site storage? Answer: If the storage environment meets the standards of dry ventilation and elevated moisture-proofing, no performance changes will occur within a storage period of 3 months. If storage exceeds 3 months, regularly check the surface for moisture or deformation. 3. Can small-area chipped corners of GRG components be repaired on site? Answer: Small-area chipped edges and corners can be repaired with GRG-specific repair paste from the same batch. After repair, simply grind and polish; this will not affect subsequent decorative effects. For penetrating hidden cracks, repair is not recommended—directly replacing the component is more reliable.