With OSHA reporting more than 200,000 injuries from falls, slips, and trips, proactively preventing these incidents with slip resistant flooring and decking simply makes good economic sense. Whether beginning a new project or making an existing space safer, it is a smart move to choose cost-effective materials that deliver exceptional long-term value while prioritizing safety. For these reasons and more, fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) can be an outstanding slip resistant flooring choice — both for indoor and outdoor applications.
Get to Know FRP Slip Resistant Flooring
FRP is a composite material made by embedding fiberglass into a plastic-polymer resin matrix. Unlike materials that may have a predictably shorter lifespan, FRP is an inherently lightweight, highly durable material with an excellent strength-to-weight ratio and resistance to various environmental factors. It simply will not rust and is corrosion resistant allowing it to maintain its surprising structural integrity over a relatively much longer time than many other materials.
In addition, while steel and wood may become slippery when oily or wet, FRP gratings have a higher friction factor under even the harshest conditions. Moreover, FRP products maintain their slip resistance even with heavy foot traffic, so long-term durability is another benefit.
There are considerable installation and maintenance benefits with FRP slip resistant flooring and grating as well. There’s no need for periodic sandblasting, scraping, or painting. Simple, high-pressure washing is all that is needed in most cases.
Because FRP is lightweight, installation is exponentially easier than steel product installations which typically require heavy equipment, more manpower, and more expense. Plus, FRP comes with the benefit of easy handling because installers can quickly cut it with ordinary hand tools.
Finally, FRP materials are non-conductive to both heat and electricity as well as fire retardant, for an extra layer of safety.
FRP Versatility: Common Uses of Slip Resistant Flooring Solutions
For commercial kitchens, swimming pool decks, industrial walkways, public marina docks — nearly any application where slip resistance is important — FRP is a tremendously adaptable, slip resistant flooring option. Aside from proactively mitigating slip-and-fall accidents, FRP’s other benefits are either equally important or a welcomed value-add, depending on the application.
Fibergrate Molded FRP Gratings: As the name suggests, these materials are manufactured by combining fiberglass strands with plastic resins in a mold.
- Ecograte® 62 is a classic example. Specifically designed for docks and marinas, it has an open surface area of 62% and meets the US Corp of Engineer Standard for light penetration.
- Micro-Mesh® is another product used extensively in marine environments because it provides a comfortable surface for bare feet. Interestingly, it is also an innovative solution in applications where subfloor access and unobstructed airflow is a requirement, as was the case for our client, Seagate Technologies.
Safe-T-Span Pultruded Gratings: Manufactured via an innovative process in which reinforced fibers are pulled through a resin and then through a guide to ensure a consistent composition throughout the entire form, pultruded products are typically composed of 70% fiberglass fibers to 30% resin. This delivers twice as much rigidity compared to molded gratings and can span greater distances.
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- Dynaplank™ boardwalk plank is lightweight, easy to install, weather resistant, and slip resistant. Dynaplank™ is durable and surprisingly strong, rated for vehicular traffic up to an AASHTO H-10 truck. This type of product is often used for decking in marine environments.
- Dynadeck™ Interlocking Flooring is a pultruded product that installs up to 3 times faster than conventional flooring because it easily snaps together.
- Aqua Grate® pultruded grating delivers all the corrosion resistance and other FRP benefits in non-slip flooring that is even safe for bare feet. It is used in the shower areas of the Tom Landry Sports Medicine and Research Center of Dallas, TX, to channel drain water while preventing slips and falls for professional athletes.
These are just a few of the many examples where FRP non-slip or slip resistant products have been used to enhance safety while keeping maintenance, handling, and installation costs in check to deliver surfaces that stand the test of time.
Invest in FRP Non-Slip Flooring Solutions and Reap the Benefits
By choosing FRP for slip resistant decking and flooring applications, businesses can benefit from its durability, low maintenance requirements, and inherent safety features. Fibergrate offers a range of FRP products designed specifically for slip-resistant flooring, catering to various environments and requirements. To find the right FRP solution for your needs, contact a local Fibergrate sales representative today and take a proactive step towards creating a safer environment for all.
