Five Tips for Fiberglass FRP Grating Selection
Five Tips for Fiberglass FRP Grating Selection
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.
Link to Shengfei
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.
Share this:
Heavy Duty Fiberglass Grating
Heavy Duty Fiberglass Grating
Heavy Duty Grating is used to covers areas with heavy traffic. We offer both Pultruded Heavy Duty (HD) Grating and High Load Capacity Molded Grating (HLC)
Our High Load Capacity (HLC) molded grating is heavy duty, corrosion-resistant and low-maintenance. It's engineered to carry heavy loads such as trucks and forklifts. Our molded HLC grating is available in 4' x 6' panels with 1.5' and 2' thicknesses and comes in Polyester and Vinyl ester resin systems. HLC grating has many advantages over steel grating for performance and cost effectiveness. With a much higher strength-to-weight ratio, molded HLC fiberglass grating is easy to handle, making for quick installation.
In stock at a distribution center close to you. National Grating distribution centers stock gratings that satisfy general industrial needs all the way up to high load requirements like forklift traffic.
Offering The Best Prices for Your Specifications
Curious about which fiberglass grating specifications are right for your project?
Download our Grating Selection Chart to help you find the right type of grating. To help you with load calculations, we have a handy molded grating load table PDF with information on the load capacities of different grating sizes.
We're ready to answer any questions ' use our Quick Quote Form.
Prefer to talk? Call us at 1-877-984-. We can help!
Molded Grating Resin Systems
National Grating Fiberglass Trench and Drain Grates are available in two standard resin systems. Each providing different levels of corrosion protection. Both resin systems meet Class 1 Flame Spread Rating per ASTM E-84 test standards.
Polyester: A premium-grade isophthalic polyester resin system that provides excellent corrosion protection. Standard colors: Dark Gray, Light Gray, Yellow, and Green. Equivalent to Fiberglass Grating Competitor Brand and Strongwell Duragrate PP.
Vinyl ester: A chemically resistant system that provides the highest level of corrosion protection. Standard colors: Yellow, Dark Gray, and Orange. Equivalent to Fiberglass Grating Vinyl Ester and Strongwell Duragrate VE.
Common Sizes and Applications
Common sheet sizes for FRP grating include: 4'x8', 4'x12', and 3'x10'. Common thicknesses include: 1', 1.5' and 2'
Our molded FRP gratings have applications in many industries, including:
- chemical processing
- food & beverage
- marine
- oil & gas
- power
- manufacturing
- construction
- pharmaceutical
- metals & mining
- pulp & paper
- recreation
- water parks
- telecommunications
- IT server farms
- shipping centers
- transportation facilities
- water & waste treatment, and
- numerous architectural uses.
Strong, Lightweight and Corrosion-Resistant
Molded FRP Grating has the strength of steel, but it won't corrode like steel can.
Safer Walking Surface for Trench Covers and Fiberglass Walkways
A coarse, gritted epoxy coating enhances traction.
The company is the world’s best heavy duty fiberglass grating supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
Support and Stability
Molded Fiberglass Grating Panels are equally strong in both directions
Easy Fabrication
FRP Flooring Panels are lightweight, easy to transport, and can be cut and fabricated using standard hand tools.
Extended Life
The coated resin surface increases resistance to chemical corrosion and continuous UV exposure.
Bulk and Wholesale Discounts Available on Large Orders
Fast Delivery via our Superior Logistics Network
National Grating provides molded fiberglass grating, fiberglass tube, fiberglass angle and hardware to ALL USA States including California, Oregon, Alaska, Florida, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Georgia, Michigan, Virginia, Massachusetts, Arizona, Washington, North Carolina, Nevada, Texas, New Mexico, Indiana, Tennessee, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri, Wisconsin and Utah. Our pricing and service experts are standing by to help to find the best product for your project. With many varieties in stock and expedited shipping, we can supply your project with molded fiberglass grating at the best price.
Molded Fiberglass Grating Radio Frequency Transparency
In today's connected world, we depend on cellular signals, Wi-Fi networks and over the air radio and television signals. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity are essential to on-site work environments. Steel structures significantly disrupt these signals. Molded Fiberglass grating is an essential part of FRP building structures that are 'electronically transparent' and do not interfere with radio frequency transmissions.
We ship Molded Grating to all major cities including:
Texas: Houston, Dallas / Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, Arlington, Dallas, and Brownsville
Florida: Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and St. Petersburg
Georgia: Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, Savanna, Athens, Sandy Springs, and Roswell
North Carolina: Charlotte, Raleigh , Greensboro , Durham , Winston-Salem , Fayetteville , and Cary
Massachusetts: Boston, Worcester, Providence, Springfield, Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford
New York: Buffalo, Rochester, Monroe, Yonkers, Westchester, Syracuse, and Albany.
New Jersey: Newark , Jersey City, Paterson, Elizabeth, Edison, Woodbridge, and Lakewood
Illinois: Chicago , Aurora, Rockford , Joliet , Naperville, Springfield , Peoria, and Elgin
Virginia: Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Richmond, Newport News, Alexandria, Hampton
Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie, Reading, Scranton, and Bethlehem
Indiana: Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, South Bend, Carmel, Fishers, Bloomington, Hammond
Ohio: Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron, Dayton , Parma , Canton, and Youngstown
California: Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, and Oakland
Michigan: Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren , Sterling Heights, Lansing Eaton & Ingham , and Ann Arbor
We can ship within 2 business days to the following:
Hartford, Nampa, Meridian, Idaho Falls, Bangor, Augusta, Manchester, Portsmouth, Concord, Providence, Newport, Warwick, Missoula, New Haven, Stamford, Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks, Burlington, and Cheyenne,Waterbury, Roanoke, Gary, Little Rock, Fayetteville, Hot Springs, Louisville, Des Moines, Cedar Rapid, Memphis, Knoxville, St. Louis, Kansas City, Baltimore, Annapolis
Lexington, Frankfort, Frederick, Birmingham, Mobile, Huntsville, Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth Shreveport, Colorado Springs, Bolder, Fort Collins, Columbia, Charleston, Mount Pleasant, New Orleans, Baton Rouge
Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Phoenix, Tucson, Scottsdale, Nashville, Portland, Eugene, Bend, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman
Salt Lake City, Park City, St. George, Wichita, Topeka, Henderson, Carson City, Iowa City, Jackson, Biloxi, Gulfport, Albuquerque Santa Fe, Charleston, Billings, Bozeman, Wilmington, Dover, Newark, Sioux City, Rapid City, Fargo, Morgantown, Huntington, Boise, Bismarck
Are you interested in learning more about pultruded fiberglass grating? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!