Superior Resistance to Fire & Chemicals
One of the major benefits of GRP as a material for creating walkways and infrastructure for industrial sectors is its high chemical and fire resistance. GRP gratings and stair treads are ideal for providing safe transit for people working in sites where other materials, such as steel or concrete become a liability.
GRP Chemical Resistance
Glass reinforced plastics are actually polymers dissolved in styrene monomer. A fabricator cures these resins to a solid state by reacting the polymer with the styrene in the presence of glass reinforcements to produce a glass reinforced rigid structure. As a result, the resins used in fibreglass grating will offer good corrosion resistance over a wide pH range.
Our GRP Chemical Resistance Data Sheets give a thorough breakdown of the resistance of our GRP gratings across a broad spectrum of chemicals.
GRP Fire Resistance
Fire is a hazard that affects all industries, but in some places, such as oil rigs, fire presents a much more serious threat. Where iron or steel would lose integrity as a result of extreme heat, GRP does not. It has a higher threshold of heat resistance, making it a much safer option for certain situations. The reason for this, as with its chemical resistance, is its structure. The molecular structure of glass reinforced plastics means that it is able to withstand forces like heat that would weaken and compromise other materials.
Our Fire Resistance Report details the means of testing and the results, which demonstrate the superior fire resistance of GRP over other materials, such as steel.
For all these reasons and more, many industries are turning to GRP as their premier material for walkways, stair nosings and handrails. If you're interested in finding out more about the benefits of GRP, check out our information page or get in touch today.