METAL GRATINGS VS FIBREGLASS OR GRP GRATINGS: Comparison

EUROGRATE® has chosen to use fibreglass as a material, rather than metal (or similar materials), because it has all the following advantages:

Metal Gratings (or similar)
Economic benefit
but unexpected additional costs

• Safety-related costs:
  due to the poor slip-resistance of metal gratings when water, grease, oil, ice etc. are present.
  Disadvantages: accidents at work, risk of injury to personnel and consequent reduction in company profitability;
• maintenance costs and low chemical resistance of the material:
  rapid corrosion even in conditions of minimal chemical aggression, leading to a need for frequent replacement;
  if the grating if it is bent out of shape it has to be replaced;
• Manpower costs for installation and transport::
  greater physical effort and the use of lifting equipment for the installation and movement of metal gratings due to their weight which is 3 times more than that of fibreglass gratings; this also has a negative impact on transport costs;
  The new legal requirements also make earthing compulsory adds to the installation costs for metal, in addition to manpower costs and transport;
• cost of shaping, cutting and drilling:
  because metal grating tends to be anisotropric it needs edge banding, an operation with a significant impact on the cost, since once it has been edge banded it needs to be galvanised to keep it from rusting.

Fibreglass gratings (or GRP)
Excellent investment that is maintained
for a long time following installation

• Long-lasting corrosion resistance:
  even in harsh conditions (immersion, or continuous contact) with very aggressive products (e.g. sulphuric or hydrochloric acid);
• comparable mechanical resistance to metal:
  its modulus of elasticity means that it can be subjected to significant bending without permanent distortion.
  Its isotropic characteristics mean that it can be installed in both load-bearing directions.
• Significantly increased safety is guaranteed:
  even in extreme conditions (grease, oil, or waxes) ensured by the special permanent anti-slip surface (DIN standard 51130 class R13-V10).
• Lightweight, simple to install and remove, easy to move;
• Zero maintenance,, easy to cut and shape:
  fibreglass gratings, in contrast to metal gratings, do not need edge banding;
• characteristics of internal resilience: increased profitability
  they alleviate the back pain often experienced by personnel who spend a long time crossing or standing on gratings (ergonomics) resulting in increased profitability;
• insulating and non-magnetic characteristics:
  excellent thermal and electrical insulation with no need for earthing (antistatic and conductive versions available on request);
• self-extinguishing properties of the resins and low toxicity of halogen-free fumes:
  Maximum safety in all environments and protection of personnel in the event of fire.
• find out about the characteristics of fibreglass gratings!

RESULTS OF THE COMPARISON OF METAL GRATINGS AND GRP GRATINGS: