Strongwell produces more than 100 different FRP grating series to meet a variety of customer needs. Applicable to both DURAGRID® pultruded and DURAGRATE® molded grating, the following advice will help select the most appropriate grating series for an application.
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1. Determine Design Criteria
Find FRP grating design criteria in the project specifications under Section 06 74 13 &#;Fiberglass Reinforced Gratings&#;. If unavailable, refer to ASCE 7-16, Table 4.3-1 for minimum live loads. Allowable deflection for FRP grating is usually limited to ¼" (6 mm) for pedestrian comfort. Larger deflections may be permissible for heavy, temporary loads. Deflection greater than ½" (12 mm) is not advisable due to prying action on hold down clips and potential loosening of fasteners. Long panels utilizing multispan conditions reduce panel deflection.Compare design loads to the grating Safe Load and you will find high Factors of Safety. Serviceability (not strength) generally controls FRP design.
2. Identify Constraints
Bearing bar height and/or spacing may determine grating series selection. Issues such as existing supports, ADA compliance, high heels, dropped objects, drainage, sunlight penetration, ventilation, and even vehicular traffic could be a requirement for a particular installation. With all these situations to consider, DURAGRID® I-1", I-1.5" and T-2" remain the most
common pultruded series selected. DURAGRATE® 1.5" thick x 1.5" square mesh is the most common molded grating series.
3. Select Resin
Generally, polyester is suitable for most conditions;vinyl ester for harsh chemical exposure and additional corrosion protection; phenolic where fire / smoke /toxicity are of primary concern.
Most Strongwell load tables are based upon polyester resin (PE) since vinyl ester (VE) resin has only slightly greater mechanical properties. Phenolic grating does have unique properties and separate load tables. As a visual indicator for grating resin, Strongwell cross rods are a light gray color for PE and black for VE. Refer to the Strongwell Corrosion Resistance Guide for specific chemical environments and select the appropriate resin.
4. Maximize Span
With your initial grating selection chosen, review load tables to determine the maximum span to meet load(s) and allowable deflection. Compare this to plan dimensions and determine support configuration. Selecting a taller bar allows longer grating spans and reduces the frequency of beams. This increases the load on each support beam, but fewer slightly larger beams is often more economical than additional smaller beams. If the beam spacing is considerably more/less than the maximum span, review load tables to see if other grating meets the design criteria.
5. Choose Appearance
A variety of bearing bar colors, surface grit and topcoat treatments are available for FRP grating. Yellow and light gray are standard bar colors. Fine grit is suitable for bare feet; standard medium grit for industrial uses; or coarse grit, if lubricants or debris collection are expected. A urethane top coat adds greater UV protection or custom colors.
Interested in learning more? Read our in-depth article comparing the use cases and performance properties of molded vs. pultruded fibgerglass grating.
Conclusion
With many geometric, material, assembly, and finishing options, FRP grating is able to meet the needs of nearly any application. Contact a member of the Strongwell team today with any questions about our FRP solutions.
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There are many materials to choose from when it comes to industrial grating. Two of the most common choices are fiberglass gratings (fiberglass reinforced plastic also known as FRP) and metal gratings (usually steel or aluminum). While they both serve the same purpose, they have distinct characteristics that make them better suited for certain types of applications. Understanding their differences can help you make an informed decision when selecting grating for your project.
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Fiberglass Gratings vs. Metal Grating Overview
Fiberglass grating and metal grating both have their own unique qualities that make them well-suited for certain applications. It&#;s important to understand the differences between these two types of grates to determine which is right for your specific project. Let&#;s look at fiberglass grating first.
Fiberglass Grating
Fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) grating is a great choice for both indoor and outdoor projects because it can withstand harsh weather conditions including salty air, UV exposure, and extreme temperatures as well as challenging chemical environments and health and safety issues, such as slip resistance. FRP grating requires very little maintenance. Dirt and other industrial substances can easily be washed away with just water and soap. Fiberglass gratings are lightweight yet strong, making the products easy to handle during installation, and also provide a safe and reliable walking surface.
Additionally, fiberglass grating is non-conductive, fire retardant, and corrosion resistant which are important considerations in certain industries or environments. It can easily be installed indoors or outdoors and only requires easily available hand tools such as a power saw to cut into the right size and shape for your application.
See how FRP gratings are designed to stand up to the challenges of an Alaskan winter and the requirement for a safe walking surface.
Metal Grating
Metal gratings are known for their strength and durability. Properly selected, they can hold up under heavy loads or traffic areas without any issue. However, steel grating can corrode very quickly in certain environments, and while galvanized steel and aluminum stand up to the elements somewhat better, ongoing maintenance can still be an issue. Metal grating has been widely used for many years; however, increases in commodity pricing for metals like steel and aluminum make this type of grating less appealing compared to options like FRP. FRP gratings tend to last longer and cost less over the lifetime of the grating.
Choosing the Right Option for Your Project
When deciding between fiberglass and metal grating for your next job consider where the grating will be used (indoors or outdoors), how much weight will be placed upon it (heavy foot traffic vs vehicles), the risks of slips and falls, how much maintenance you want to put into caring for the grating (corrosion resistance) etc... Ultimately, all of these elements should factor into your decision, so you can make the best choice possible for your specific needs.
Did you know? Fibergrate offers a variety of options for fiberglass gratings to fit your specific needs, including molded gratings and pultruded gratings. Both provide ideal options for commercial and industrial applications. Learn about the differences between the two with a helpful infographic.
Want more information on fibreglass grating? Feel free to contact us.
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