“Invisible doors” at Ben Thanh Metro Station

ZAVAK underground stainless steel technical cover at Ben Thanh Metro Station, contributing to keeping the project operating sustainably and safely every day.

The early morning light floods through Ben Thanh Square, pours down to the central station, and reflects sparklingly on the smooth stone floor. Every detail here is carefully calculated to accommodate the huge number of people passing through every day: flat, non-slip floors, continuously operating electrical and water systems, safe fire exits,...

And in that vast space, seemingly "invisible" details contribute to sustainability, namely the underground stainless steel technical covers - "invisible doors" that help reach the underground system inside the Metro station.

The challenge of an iconic building

Ben Thanh Metro is not only a modern public transport route, but also a symbol of Ho Chi Minh City's urbanization aspirations. That means the technical and aesthetic requirements will be at the highest level.

The problem is clear: the technical covers must be able to withstand heavy loads, be slip-resistant, watertight/odor-proof, and at the same time allow for quick opening and closing for maintenance. Most importantly, when closed, they can “hide” in the overall architecture, in sync with the tile/flooring.

Traditional solutions such as concrete or cast iron covers cannot meet the requirements because they are too heavy, difficult to operate and lose the overall aesthetic. Therefore, finding a new solution is a must.

ZAVAK Appears - When Small Details Bear Great Responsibility

ZAVAK entered the Metro project with the philosophy of "silent solutions, sustainable values". The engineering team proposed a set of stainless steel technical covers in the floor with a series of new improvements.

The material used is stainless steel 304/316, which is corrosion resistant and suitable for underground environments. The tray is designed with tiles/stones, helping to synchronize the lid with the floor surface. In addition, specialized rubber gaskets ensure watertightness and odor prevention, while the hinge and safety lock structure makes opening and closing quick and safe.

All these elements are developed based on international standards JIS/FACTA, then adjusted to suit each specific location of the central station.

Technical cover solution meets high load capacity, watertightness, odor prevention and aesthetics for the station

Inspection and installation journey

For a domestic product to be selected for a national project, ZAVAK must undergo a series of challenges such as: load testing, water tightness, and durability in harsh environments.

At the project, the manhole covers must be precise to the millimeter, from size, drainage slope, finishing materials, etc. When closed, the cover is "invisible" in the overall picture, when opened, the engineer can access the system below. This is a clear demonstration of ZAVAK's philosophy of "small details but decide the big operating rhythm".

A team of engineers installs and tests ZAVAK stainless steel technical covers at the construction site, ensuring safety - accuracy - compliance with standards.

When success does not require presence

At the end of 2024, ZAVAK's technical covers will be officially accepted and put into operation. Tens of thousands of passengers pass by every day without even realizing the existence of these technical covers.

For passengers, it’s a flat, safe floor surface. For the operations engineer, it’s a convenient, quick access to system maintenance. For the architect, it’s a small but precise detail that helps preserve the design language.

Manhole covers operate safely for passengers and conveniently.

Brand milestones

The success at Metro is a brand milestone for ZAVAK, because for the first time a technical product developed by a Vietnamese enterprise was selected for an underground traffic project that meets international standards.

ZAVAK is proud to be a trusted partner chosen to supply high quality technical covers for Metro stations

This confirms that: Vietnamese people are completely capable of creating lean, sustainable and modern industrial solutions that are on par with global standards.

The underground stainless steel technical covers not only open the entrance to the underground system, but also open up a belief in a pioneering, professional, durable Vietnamese brand, accompanying national symbolic projects.

Source: https://vtv.vn/nhung-canh-cua-vo-hinh-tai-nha-ga-metro-ben-thanh-100251101103731627.htm