Choosing the right fiberglass-reinforced polymer (FRP) grating is crucial for ensuring the safety and long-term performance of your industrial facility’s structures. No matter what your industry or application for FRP grating, making an informed decision is key to leveraging the benefits of FRP — high strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, low conductivity and low maintenance.
At Bedford Reinforced Plastics, we are committed to providing superior FRP materials and full-service solutions, ensuring your project is optimized for your facility, plant or center. Watch this video and read on to select the best FRP grating for your needs.
1. Define Load, Span, Dimension & Compliance Needs
Common uses of FRP grating include floor systems, walkways, work platforms, stairs, ramps, trench covers and catwalks. When selecting your FRP grating, it’s vital to gather all the necessary project specifications. These include key considerations like:
Load Capacity: Consider the weight that your grating design will need to support. If vehicles or heavy equipment are involved, you will need a stronger load-bearing grating than what’s required for pedestrian traffic.
Span Length: The maximum unsupported grating span helps you determine the FRP stiffness and load requirements. To ensure performance, grating should be properly supported at the spans recommended by the grating manufacturer.
Structure Dimensions: The grating should meet the exact dimensions of your project. Bedford offers FRP grating in 1 1/2" and 2" depths, with a range of grid configurations and custom capabilities for design flexibility.
Compliant Products: Your project may require grating products that meet specific safety standards or building code requirements. Examples include grating compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for walkways or grating certified under the Virginia Graeme Baker Act (VGBA) for drain systems.
For complete details on Bedford FRP grating products and their structural performance data, download the Bedford PROGrid® and PROGrate® Grating Products Catalog. You can also get specifications for PROGrid and PROGrate grating in our Resources section.
2. Assess Working Conditions & Durability
FRP grating is known for its exceptional durability in tough environments. However, different applications may have specific demands. Consider the following:
Exposure to Chemicals: FRP grating is highly resistant to a broad range of chemicals, oils, solvents and other industrial substances. Its corrosion resistance makes it the ideal choice for environments where chemical exposure is frequent, ensuring long-lasting durability and structural integrity, even in harsh, chemically aggressive settings. (Get the Bedford Chemical Resistance Guide.)
Fire Retardancy: When fire hazards are a concern, fire-retardant FRP grating offers a safer, more reliable alternative to traditional materials. FRP grating is inherently non-conductive, providing added protection in areas with electrical risks. During manufacturing, fire-retardant resins can be incorporated, ensuring that the grating meets or exceeds fire safety regulations, making it a preferred choice for areas where flames, sparks or high temperatures may be a risk.
Extreme Weather and Temperature Conditions: FRP grating thrives in challenging weather conditions, including extreme temperatures, both hot and cold. It remains stable and strong, even in environments with fluctuating temperatures. Additionally, its resistance to high humidity, moisture and UV rays ensures it won’t warp, degrade or lose strength when exposed to prolonged wetness and sunlight, making it perfect for outdoor applications and facilities located in areas with severe weather conditions.
Different resin systems and materials offer varying levels of resistance to chemicals, moisture and temperature extremes. Select the one that suits your facility’s environment and requirements.
3. Compare Molded vs. Pultruded Fiberglass Grating
Molded and pultruded fiberglass grating each offer distinct advantages. Understanding the key differences will help you select the best option for your specific needs, ensuring optimal performance and durability in your application.
Molded FRP Grating: Molded grating is typically used in applications that require bi-directional strength and versatility. It is manufactured in a single casting process, offering superior strength in both directions. This type of grating is ideal for flooring, work platforms, stairways and walkways, where multi-directional load distribution and impact resistance are critical. Molded grating can also be customized with different surface options, such as slip-resistant grit or a meniscus surface, to improve safety and usability in various environments.
Pultruded FRP Grating: Pultruded grating features unidirectional load-bearing capacity, which makes it the ideal solution for applications requiring higher strength and longer spans. It is produced by pulling resin-impregnated fiberglass through a heated die, ensuring consistently high-quality and precise results. Pultruded grating is typically used in more demanding environments where heavier loads or extended distances are a factor, such as in industrial facilities or large-scale infrastructure projects.
While molded grating excels in providing flexibility, impact resistance and bi-directional strength, pultruded grating’s superior strength, stiffness and ability to support heavy loads over long spans make it the preferred choice for high-load and structural applications.
For more in-depth information on molded versus pultruded grating, check out the Bedford Grating Products Catalog.
4. Consider Availability & Lead Times
It’s essential to know whether the grating you need is readily available. Check the stock levels for standard grating, or inquire about lead times for custom orders. Bedford offers fast shipping on a wide range of FRP grating, helping you stay on track with tight project schedules.
Watch this video to learn about Bedford’s nationwide inventory of FRP grating:
5. Make the Right Choice for You
Selecting the right fiberglass-reinforced plastic grating for your application depends on many factors. At Bedford, our expert team is ready to assist you in finding the perfect solution tailored to your specific project.
Whether you’re replacing old metal or wood structures or starting a new installation, the right grating can make all the difference. Ready to get started? Download our catalog, explore our inventory or contact us for a quote today to find the perfect FRP grating solution for your project.