Wet environments demand strict attention to safety and durability for flooring surfaces. Fibreglass decking and deck grating, specifically Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) products, offer robust solutions. This quick guide covers their definition, benefits, installation, maintenance, and safety compliance as well as real-world applications.
PHOTO 1: Fibergrate glass reinforced plastic deck grating at a dock |
In wet conditions, safety is critical because, as slips, falls, and trips account for 15% of workplace deaths annually. Wet surfaces exacerbate these risks and accelerate traditional materials' deterioration.
Using fibreglass grating for decking (particularly GRP grating) in these projects presents four main benefits:
Deck grating is a perforated, slip-resistant surface designed for wet areas. It allows water, debris, and air to pass through, maintaining a dryer, safer walking surface. While both GRP decking and GRP deck grating may be found in the same spaces, their purposes are different. While decking provides stability and a smooth and attractive walking surface, deck grating offers:
Like any other building material, working with glass reinforced plastic decking and deck grating requires a degree of knowledge and skill. That said, for most products, GRP grating is an inexpensive product in terms of installation time, equipment, and costs.
The installation process typically involves surface preparation, cutting and fitting the panels, and securing them in place—all of which can be done with ordinary hand tools. Proper installation is essential for long-term performance, so for more details, review our detailed guide to GRP fabrication.
Here are two ways to ensure the longevity and safety of fibreglass decking and deck grating:
When evaluating the cost considerations for glass reinforced plastic decking and deck grating compared to other materials in a wet area project, these two costs, in particular, may tip the scales in favour of GRP, depending on the specifics of your project:
With any construction project, it is important to know and follow the applicable building, safety, and other relevant codes. While this can be a tedious task, one of the benefits of choosing Fibergrate glass reinforced plastic decking and grating products is that they generally meet or exceed OSHA and strict building code requirements for safety and design.
Fibergrate materials have also earned and continue to maintain several certifications related to quality and safety, so while you should practise due diligence to ensure the products and installation approaches you choose to maintain strict safety and building code compliance, know that many Fibergrate products present viable options where safety regulations and standards apply.
We invite you to explore the Fibergrate range of GRP decking and deck grating options to ensure safety and durability in your wet environment projects. Investing in these materials is an investment in safety, cost savings, and environmental responsibility, so we stand ready to help you make an informed decision.