Regardless of whether your inspection pit is for a truck, trailer, HGV, bus, train, public service vehicles, or even in your own garage at home they all need to be safe when not in use.
One of the most practical solutions is to use GRP Open Mesh Grating. It is not only light weight enough to lift out but strong enough to support pedestrian foot traffic. The recommended GRP Grating thickness is at 38mm or 50mm, as it can be geared to fit flush with floor levels. Both commercial & residential services pits often use old reclaimed sleepers which are heavy and not easily moved, or sheets of plywood that are not strong enough to walk on.
Commercial Inspection Pits
If your workplace uses vehicles on a daily basis, you may have an inspection pit on site to carry out maintenance. Is your commercial inspection pit easily accessible and safe when not in use? Our GRP gratings make your inspection pit easily accessible thanks to being lightweight yet offer a safe walking platform when the inspection pit is not in use due to its strength.
Our 38mm deep GRP grating can be combined with anti-slip stair tread covers to create safe steps into the pit like at this commercial service pit.
Our GRP grating can be supplied in manageable sections as shown above which weigh less than 20kgs.
Residential Inspection Pits
Inspection pits can also be found in some older residential properties, whilst they are perfectly legal the owner of the property has a responsibility to ensure that it is safe whilst not in use by using a fit for purpose covering. The safest methods are to permanently fill it with concrete; if it’s not being used at all, which usually has a large cost; or there is the option to cover with GRP Grating.
Our GRP Grating cut into 3 equal sections for easy lifting if necessary and slotted into position.
Commonly Asked Questions About Our GRP Gratings
What makes Glass Reinforced Plastic gratings suitable for inspection pit covers?
A commonly used solution is a steel grating which is very heavy and requires a meticulously designed structure to support the load. Glass reinforced plastic has many benefits over steel. GRP grating is not heavy at 19.5kgs per 1m2. Steel gratings also have no anti-slip resistance whilst GRP gratings do.
GRP gratings are proven to withstand the effects of corrosion and are highly impact resistant. GRP gratings have the lowest life cycle costs and as it weighs considerably less than conventional metal gratings it is easier and less expensive to transport, install and remove. There are also no costs associated with cutting or welding either. Using GRP gratings also reduce the risk of thieves as GRP gratings have no scrap value, whilst steel gratings do.
Why the “Square” Grid Pattern?
With a square grid pattern, deflection is in both directions and the grating cannot be installed incorrectly. Square grid patterns allow access holes to be cut from the centre of the panel, and do not degrade the strength of the panel in any way. Unlike steel grating, warping cannot occur. Cutting glass reinforced plastic can be carried out with ease and lowers cost since it does not require special cutting and welding equipment. Our GRP grating is light enough to avoid the need for special lifting equipment or cranes. Cut-outs can be made in the grating for pipework and because the bearing bars bear in both directions, extra support is not required.
The impact resistance of GRP Grating allows repeated deflection without permanent deformation. A certain amount of deflection can occur with loading. However, once the load is removed, the grating will return to its original shape, unlike metallic grating, which will remain deformed and require costly repair or replacement. Steel expands and contracts at a much higher rate than GRP causing unseen stress fractures and eventually, through time, bending and breaking.
How does GRP Grating strength compare with steel?
For all pedestrian traffic and medium loadings, GRP grating is perfectly adequate. On some occasions it can be used in heavy load situations, for example in narrow drainage gullies, Our 25mm grating will comfortably withstand 1/3 ton per square metre and the 38mm grating ½ ton per square metre. These figures are based on 1 metre wide grating supported on 4 sides. If the width is smaller and the correct support is provided, these figures can be multiplied many times, For example, at 300mm wide, our 38mm grating can withstand loadings in excess of 12 tons.
Where can GRP Gratings be installed?
Walkways, Bund Floors, Catwalks, Platforms, Bridges, Drainage, Ramps, Sub Floors, Steps, Tank Top Platforms, Pit Covers, Pontoons, Structural Flooring, Marina Decking, Duct Covers, Trench Covers, Stair Treads, Chemical Plant Flooring, Double & Raised Flooring, Decks.
Is Glass Reinforced Plastic resistant to corrosion?
GRP Grating is totally resistant to corrosion making it ideal in areas prone to corrosive environments; this includes corrosive salts, acids, alkalis, and other chemical products. It is highly resistant to wear, tear, impact and abrasion.
Is Glass Reinforced Plastic Fire Resistant?
GRP meets international fire retarding and self-extinguishing requirements. These gratings have a flame spread Class 1 rating of 25 or less in accordance with ASTM E-84 Tunnel Test Method. If a flame spread of 10 or less is required, a custom phenolic resin system can be supplied.
What is the lifespan of GRP Grating?
GRP is anti-aging and more than 50 years of life span is guaranteed for GRP Grating and requires virtually no maintenance.
- Metal grating requires an anti-corrosion coating on the surface of the metal grating. The fasteners need to be checked regularly to see if the fastener screws are going to become loose.
- For welded metal grating this will need to be sprayed with an anti-rust paint of the same colour on weld joints to avoid corrosion from weld joints when the welding is completed. The welded joints also need to be checked regularly. If the anti-rust paint is found to peel off then this will need to be repainted.
- Metal gratings that need to be bolted, especially metal stair treads, will also have to be checked to avoid the risk of loose bolts. When the bolts are installed, they have to be sprayed with anti-rust paint on the bolts. If the metal grating is found to be damaged, such as deformation arising from serious impact, then this will need replacing.
Safety covers for garage inspection pits are just one of the many uses for our GRP Gratings.
To find out more about our GRP solutions which are extremely durable, lighter, stronger, longer lasting and easier to fit, click here. For more information on the variety of stair tread products we provide, give us a call on 02380 406796 or contact us here.