FRP Grating for Platforms and Walkways
A fiberglass walkway is chosen where steel would be repainted every few years - chemical plants, coastal sites, water works - or where a panel has to be lifted by one person during maintenance. Platforms and walkways account for most grating sold worldwide, and most of the complaints as well: panels that bounce, panels that rattle, and panels whose cut edges rust first.
FRP grating for platform walkway
Molded fiberglass grating is made from glass rovings in a thermoset resin - isophthalic polyester as standard, vinyl ester for strong acids and solvents. It never rusts, needs no coating and is roughly a quarter of the weight of a steel panel of the same size. The trade-off is stiffness: FRP deflects about four times as much as steel for the same depth, so supports are set closer (600-900 mm) and panels are thicker for the same load.
Surfaces are available smooth, concave (gritted) or with a gritted top layer for ramps and wet areas. Fixings are stainless or FRP clips, and panels are cut with a masonry blade on site.
Selection notes for this application
For a uniformly loaded walkway carrying pedestrians, the practical rule is 25x3 for spans up to 600 mm, 30x5 up to 900 mm, and 40x5 up to 1200 mm. Add one size for maintenance access with tools, and two sizes where a pallet truck or forklift crosses the panel. Deflection, not strength, governs: keep it under L/200 for walkways and L/400 where people may stand still for long periods.
- Panel depth and support spacing set by FRP grating
- Surface: serrated or gritted where wet or oily
- Fixings isolated from dissimilar metals
- Cut edges sealed, passivated or galvanized on site
Typical specifications
| Panel | Mesh | Load (span 900 mm) | Weight | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 mm | 38x38 | 3.0 kN/m2 | 12 kg/m2 | Walkway, light platform |
| 30 mm | 38x38 | 5.0 kN/m2 | 16 kg/m2 | Platform, stair tread |
| 38 mm | 38x38 | 7.5 kN/m2 | 20 kg/m2 | Heavy walkway, vehicle light |
| 50 mm | 50x50 | 10 kN/m2 | 28 kg/m2 | Trench cover, heavy duty |
Related products and applications
Frequently asked questions
How long does FRP grating last?
20-30 years in most chemical and marine environments. It does not corrode, but UV exposure yellows the resin and reduces surface gloss, so an UV inhibitor is added for outdoor use.
Is FRP grating as strong as steel?
It has roughly a quarter of the modulus of steel, so it deflects more for the same depth. In practice a 38 mm FRP panel replaces a 25-30 mm steel panel for pedestrian loads, and supports are set closer.
Not sure which profile suits your site? Send the span, load and environment to our engineers and we will return a specification with drawings within one working day. Contact us or see the full product range.