Commonly Asked Questions About Grating
We are back again in with our monthly FAQ series! For the first one of the year, we will be addressing your most asked questions about floor trough grating.
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Grating is an essential part of any floor trough as it allows access for foot & vehicular traffic. Most importantly grating prevents large debris from entering into the trough potentially causing a catastrophic clog in the drain. Grating comes in all shapes, sizes & types which can lead to some confusion during the selection process we will touch upon this later in the article. Dont worry; IMC is here to clear the air.
In this article, well give 5 of the most common questions asked about floor trough grating & give our answers to guide you. Lets start with question #1.
1. Stainless Steel vs. Fiberglass Grating Which One is Better?
This is the most common question, but we wrote an in-depth article on this comparison here. But, we will give a brief rundown below:
Stainless Steel Grating
Non-corrosive better fit for toxic environments
Works better in moist/wet environments
Overall better resistance & durability
If you are commonly using vehicles, stainless steel grating will work better in the long term
Fiberglass Grating
Rust proof, slip-resistant & lightweight
Non-conductive better fit for non-electrical environments
Lightweight for easy removal/cleaning
Budget friendly
Ultimately, the choice of which material to use will be up to you. However, the question of application and maintenance/upfront costs may sway your decision. Either way, IMC provides both types of grating for all our manufactured floor troughs.
2. Im Looking into Stainless Steel Grating What is the Difference Between Them? Which One is Right for Me?
IMC manufactures 4 main types of stainless steel grating, each with their own unique properties:
Model #SG is the standard subway grating. Its the most basic grating that IMC manufactures & has 1 spacing in between the bars. Useful for most normal applications.
Model #SGAS is IMCs anti-slip surface grating. The bars are machine serrated to provide the anti-slip property. Useful for wet areas that see heavy foot traffic.
Model #SGAS-ATS provides anti-splash properties thanks to the slanted 90° bars. Primarily used in areas with heavy, gushing liquids to prevent slip & fall accidents.
Model #SQ is also custom serrated to provide an anti-slip surface, but the difference is that there is banding on all 4 sides to form a closed grid appearance.
Heres a visual look at all 4 stainless steel grating types:
The choice of which one to pick will depend on your application. If you are in an area with large amounts of water & foot traffic, having your grating equipped with an anti-slip property is a smart decision. If you are in an area with light water flow, standard grating should be sufficient.
3. My Facility Must Meet ADA Compliance, Which Grating is Best?
Both IMC stainless & fiberglass grating is available to meet ADA compliance. Standard grating has 1 spacing in between bars. However, ADA compliant grating has ½ spacing in between bars so vehicles such as wheelchairs do not snag.
IMC manufactures SG-ADA & SQ-ADA for stainless steel grating. For fiberglass, IMC manufactures PFG-ADA (colored blue, rather than the standard gray) & CH-ADA. Pointing back to question 1, the type of grating you choose depends on your preference & application. Here is a quick look at our ADA compliant grating:
4. I Need a Custom Shape (& Size), is it Possible?
Yes, IMC grating can be shaped in nearly any design with custom sizes as well. It should be noted that standard grating is sized up to 20 long sections, so multiple pieces of grating will be needed if you have a larger sized trough. Typically, IMC grating can exceed 10 long & 30 wide (in sections) if you need to cover a wide area. Here is an example of some custom sized grating manufactured by IMC:
5. What About Perforated & Louvered Grating?
IMC also manufactures specialty perforated & louvered stainless steel grating. Perforated grating is banded & constructed of several ½ square holes for aggressive drainage areas. Louvered grating is made up of several die-formed slots for more uniform drainage.
Both are available for all floor troughs in our catalog. Contact us to learn more if these two types of grating will work for you. Heres a look at the two grating types:
Grating & floor troughs go hand in hand. Having the right combo of trough & grating is vital for keeping the ground safe & sanitary for everyone. To learn more about IMCs grating offerings, click here.
For more information, please visit heavy duty fiberglass grating.
*Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of IMC/Teddy. Our content is intended to be used and must be used for informational purposes only. Please contact IMC/Teddy directly if you would like to feature this post on your webpage. Thank you.
What You Should Know about FRP Grating
Fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) is a composite material made of glass fiber reinforcements and a cured resin. This material is used to make fiberglass gratings and structural shapes which can be assembled to make platforms, guardrails, handrails, and many other products. It is a widely used material in industries such as chemical production, wastewater treatment, electrical engineering, transportation, and marine construction. Lets discuss what you need to know about FRP grating.
The Strength & Durability of FRP Grating
FRP grating is incredibly strong and durable due to its construction from glass fibers embedded within a resin matrix. Its superior strength makes it ideal for heavy-duty applications such as factory floors, stairs, walkways, platforms, and more. Additionally, it is corrosion resistant to harsh chemicals and weather conditions which makes it perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. The grates are available in different sizes and configurations, so you can choose the right one for your specific needs.
Molded gratings include:
Pultruded gratings include:
Safe-T-Span® Pultruded Gratings
High Load Pultruded Grating
Aqua Grate® Pultruded Gratings
Specialty Pultruded Gratings
Cost & Maintenance Benefits of Using Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Grating
Another significant benefit of using FRP grating is that it is cost-effective compared to other types of flooring or structural supports. Its minimal maintenance requirements mean that there are fewer costs associated with keeping it in good condition over time. This includes occasional cleaning with soap and water or an approved cleaner if needed. Repairs or replacements are very rarely required. This makes fiberglass grating an attractive option for anyone looking for an affordable yet reliable solution for their project needs.
FRP Grating and Structural Shapes are Made with Safety & Fire Resistance in Mind
In addition to its cost and maintenance benefits, fiberglass grating is slip-resistant which makes it a safer option when compared to metal gratings or other types of flooring materials that have a lower friction factor, especially in wet or oily environments. It also has excellent fire resistance properties, with some specialty grating withstanding short-term temperature exposures up to °F. This fire resistance makes it suitable for use in areas where there may be a risk of fire or excessive heat exposure such as industrial manufacturing plants, power plants, or offshore oil platforms.
Uses for Fiberglass Grating
FRP grating can be used in a variety of applications from chemical plants to wastewater treatment facilities to swimming pools and more. It is also a great choice for industrial flooring applications because of its strength and durability as well as its slip-resistant surface texture which helps reduce the risk of slips and falls on wet surfaces. FRP grating is also an excellent choice for industrial staircases since its lightweight properties make installation much easier than other types of staircases while still providing an incredibly strong and slip resistant walking surface that will last for a long time.
Some of the industries that benefit from using Fiberglass Grating include:
Construction: Used for flooring, platforms, and stair treads in commercial and industrial buildings.
Chemical Processing: Used in chemical plants and refineries due to its corrosion resistant and slip resistant properties.
Marine: Used in marine environments such as marinas, docks, boat ramps, and piers due to its excellent resistance to saltwater and other marine elements. Different textures and grid configurations have been developed for specific marine applications.
Oil and Gas: Used in offshore platforms and drilling rigs due to its high strength, fire resistance, slip resistance, and durability in harsh environments.
Water and Wastewater Treatment: Used in water and wastewater treatment facilities due to its corrosion resistance and slip resistance. NSF-61-certified materials permit use in drinking water facilities.
Food Processing: Used in food processing facilities due to its corrosion resistant and easy-to-clean properties. USDA/CFIA accepted and anti-microbial formulations provide additional benefits.
Pharmaceuticals: Used in pharmaceutical facilities due to its slip resistance and ability to withstand exposure to harsh chemicals.
Agriculture: Used in agricultural settings for walkways, platforms, and decks in barns, stables, silos, and other agricultural buildings.
Unlock the Benefits of FRP Grating for Your Business
Fiberglass grating offers numerous benefits when compared with traditional metal gratings or other types of flooring materials including superior strength, slip resistance, durability, cost-effectiveness, low maintenance, and excellent fire resistance properties making it an attractive option for plant operators and safety engineers looking for reliable solutions in demanding applications such as factories floors, staircases walkways or platforms among others. If youre looking for a safe and reliable option that wont break the bank, then fiberglass grating might be the right solution for you!
The company is the world’s best pultruded 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.
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