10 Questions You Should to Know about fiberglass floor grating

We are back again in with our monthly FAQ series! For the first one of the year, we will be addressing your most asked questions about floor trough grating.

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Grating is an essential part of any floor trough as it allows access for foot & vehicular traffic. Most importantly grating prevents large debris from entering into the trough potentially causing a catastrophic clog in the drain. Grating comes in all shapes, sizes & types which can lead to some confusion during the selection process ' we will touch upon this later in the article. Don't worry; IMC is here to clear the air.

In this article, we'll give 5 of the most common questions asked about floor trough grating & give our answers to guide you. Let's start with question #1.

1. Stainless Steel vs. Fiberglass Grating ' Which One is Better?

This is the most common question, but we wrote an in-depth article on this comparison here. But, we will give a brief rundown below:

Stainless Steel Grating

• Non-corrosive ' better fit for toxic environments
• Works better in moist/wet environments
• Overall better resistance & durability
• If you are commonly using vehicles, stainless steel grating will work better in the long term

Fiberglass Grating

• Rust proof, slip-resistant & lightweight
• Non-conductive ' better fit for non-electrical environments
• Lightweight for easy removal/cleaning
• Budget friendly

Ultimately, the choice of which material to use will be up to you. However, the question of application and maintenance/upfront costs may sway your decision. Either way, IMC provides both types of grating for all our manufactured floor troughs.

2. I'm Looking into Stainless Steel Grating ' What is the Difference Between Them? Which One is Right for Me?

IMC manufactures 4 main types of stainless steel grating, each with their own unique properties:

' Model #SG is the standard subway grating. It's the most basic grating that IMC manufactures & has 1' spacing in between the bars. Useful for most normal applications.

' Model #SGAS is IMC's anti-slip surface grating. The bars are machine serrated to provide the anti-slip property. Useful for wet areas that see heavy foot traffic.

' Model #SGAS-ATS provides anti-splash properties thanks to the slanted 90° bars. Primarily used in areas with heavy, gushing liquids to prevent slip & fall accidents.

' Model #SQ is also custom serrated to provide an anti-slip surface, but the difference is that there is banding on all 4 sides to form a closed grid appearance.

Here's a visual look at all 4 stainless steel grating types:

The choice of which one to pick will depend on your application. If you are in an area with large amounts of water & foot traffic, having your grating equipped with an anti-slip property is a smart decision. If you are in an area with light water flow, standard grating should be sufficient.

3. My Facility Must Meet ADA Compliance, Which Grating is Best?

Both IMC stainless & fiberglass grating is available to meet ADA compliance. Standard grating has 1' spacing in between bars. However, ADA compliant grating has ½' spacing in between bars so vehicles such as wheelchairs do not snag.

IMC manufactures SG-ADA & SQ-ADA for stainless steel grating. For fiberglass, IMC manufactures PFG-ADA (colored blue, rather than the standard gray) & CH-ADA. Pointing back to question 1, the type of grating you choose depends on your preference & application. Here is a quick look at our ADA compliant grating:

4. I Need a Custom Shape (& Size), is it Possible?

The company is the world’s best fiberglass floor grating supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

Yes, IMC grating can be shaped in nearly any design with custom sizes as well. It should be noted that standard grating is sized up to 20' long sections, so multiple pieces of grating will be needed if you have a larger sized trough. Typically, IMC grating can exceed 10' long & 30' wide (in sections) if you need to cover a wide area. Here is an example of some custom sized grating manufactured by IMC:

5. What About Perforated & Louvered Grating?

IMC also manufactures specialty perforated & louvered stainless steel grating. Perforated grating is banded & constructed of several ½' square holes for aggressive drainage areas. Louvered grating is made up of several die-formed slots for more uniform drainage.

Both are available for all floor troughs in our catalog. Contact us to learn more if these two types of grating will work for you. Here's a look at the two grating types:

Grating & floor troughs go hand in hand. Having the right combo of trough & grating is vital for keeping the ground safe & sanitary for everyone. To learn more about IMC's grating offerings, click here.

*Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of IMC/Teddy. Our content is intended to be used and must be used for informational purposes only. Please contact IMC/Teddy directly if you would like to feature this post on your webpage. Thank you.

We frequently receive questions about the handling of Fiberglass and how to cut FRP Grating. In this post, we'll be sharing some factors to consider when preparing Fiberglass Grating for your application.

What Hazards Accompany Fiberglass Dust?

When Fiberglass Grating is cut, it can introduce a hazardous dust into the air. This dust can contain particles of plastic resin and glass fibers, and exposure to these particles can be associated with a variety of health risks.

McNICHOLS takes several measures to protect associates involved in cutting Fiberglass. For example, these associates are required to wear protective equipment and operate machinery with a dust collection system for reducing airborne particles. If you are considering handling Fiberglass, it is essential to be aware of potential hazards and how to deal with debris safely.

Potential Health Risks of Cutting Fiberglass Grating

A necessary precaution when cutting Fiberglass is to reduce the skin's exposure to dust. Dust particles can be small enough to become lodged in an individual's pores, which can result in symptoms that include itchiness, rashes, welts, and inflammation. To avoid skin irritation, you can reduce dust contact by wearing clothes that completely cover the skin (like long sleeves, gloves, long pants, and high socks).

Eye protection, such as safety goggles, is also highly recommended. If dust particles come into contact with the eyes, you may experience itchiness and irritation. With dust particles present, it is vital to avoid rubbing the eyes, as this action may cause abrasions to the cornea. Instead, procedures for reducing or eliminating this dust suggest a thorough eye rinse. Contacting your doctor may also be necessary.

Lastly, individuals are encouraged to avoid inhalation of Fiberglass dust. These particles have been known to aggravate the Upper Respiratory System, including the nasal passages and throat. If inhaled, dust can also linger in the lungs, resulting in symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema. For these reasons, a reliable mask or respirator will help protect the Respiratory System when fabricating Fiberglass Grating. Timely replacement of protective masks is also important.

Combustible Dust

In some conditions, certain types of fine dust can be susceptible to ignition and even combustion. When cutting Fiberglass, if the resulting debris is fine enough, not minimized properly, and exposed to an ignition source, it may pose a risk of explosion. Many guides recommend avoiding this danger by cutting Fiberglass in an environment with an efficient dust mitigation or collection system.

Containing Fiberglass Dust

A variety of equipment designed to mitigate airborne dust is available to those cutting Fiberglass.

For example, McNICHOLS® Metals Service Centers have dust collection systems that work in conjunction with our Fiberglass Grating saws. Typically, a protective hood will cover the saw to prevent too much dust from dispersing. Then, a channel along the length of the blades gathers the dust as the saw creates it. This channel is connected to a collection system where debris is suctioned away through a series of ducts, then deposited in a receptacle for discarding later.

What Equipment and Supplies Are Needed when Cutting Fiberglass?

Beyond a dust mitigation system, the Fiberglass fabrication process requires additional supplies.

Primarily, it is important to choose the best blade for cutting Fiberglass.  Abrasive blades are ideal, as they will allow your saw to function more efficiently. Popular choices for abrasive instruments are diamond-tipped blades, which are designed for grinding down very dense materials such as concrete. Diamond blades are well-suited for cutting Fiberglass because other tools can become dull quickly and need replacing more frequently.

After cutting the Grating, it is recommended that you treat the cut areas of the Fiberglass with a finishing spray. Sealants such as a Polyurethane spray are standard when finishing these raw, cut edges.

Leave the Dust to Us!

If you are planning to cut Fiberglass Grating, we hope these tips will help guide you through the fabrication process.

However, if you're uncertain about safely handling and cutting Fiberglass, the McNICHOLS fabrication team is always ready and eager to assist you!

Our highly-trained associates are prepared with machinery and equipment to cut your Fiberglass Grating safely and efficiently. Beyond cut-to-size panels, we also accommodate skew cutting, radius patterns, circles, and notches. Regardless of your Fiberglass cutting needs, our associates are, as always, Inspired to Serve®!

If you want to learn more, please visit our website heavy duty fiberglass grating.