How Laurel’s Custom Grating Improves Safety in Industrial Facilities

Grating is a necessary component of every facility, improving safety and access, providing drainage and ventilation, and managing debris. The problem is that every facility is different, not just in its size but also in the amount of traffic that runs through it, the materials that are handled within it, and its existing infrastructure.

While some standard products may be sufficient, some facilities need customized solutions to increase safety further. Here are just a few of the many ways Laurel Custom Grating can modify our standard products to enhance safety in your facility.

Textured Surfaces

Grating can be modified to include textured bearing bars, including serrations. Serrated edges prevent slipping, making them ideal (and often required) for environments where spills are frequent. Even if oils, chemicals, or other debris accumulate, serrated bearing bars will still maintain their grip characteristics better than smooth surfaces. Serrations also help promote faster drainage.

Engineered to Handle Specific Concentrated Loads

A single grating’s concentrated load capacity varies based on bearing bar depth, thickness, spacing, and the material it’s constructed from, among other factors. Many manufacturers, including Laurel Custom Grating, can build custom solutions that support concentrated loads from forklifts, heavy machinery, storage systems, tanks, vehicles, conveyor crossings, and more.

Heel-Safe Designs

If pedestrians are expected to walk across the grating, it will potentially need to be customized to have a heel-safe design. Standard grating is typically spaced at 1-3/16” center to center between bearing bars, but heel-safe designs feature ½” center to center spacing with a maximum ¼” clear opening. 

Integrated Toe Plates or Raised Edges

Refineries, chemical plants, processing plants, treatment facilities, nuclear facilities, steel mills, and many other facilities need their grating to have integrated toe plates or raised edges. These features help reduce slip-and-fall incidents, provide better management in the event of liquid spills, especially chemicals, and help contain materials in debris-heavy environments rather than allowing them to fall through.

Hot-Dip Galvanized Finishes for Improved Resistance

Grating can be customized with various finishes, including mill, paint, and hot-dip galvanized. The latter, in particular, is an exceptional solution for many industrial facilities because the galvanization process creates a bonded zinc coating that’s rust and corrosion-resistant, with a slight texture that can improve traction. It’s highly recommended for facilities in marine or coastal environments, wastewater treatment plants, outdoor facilities, food processing facilities, highway overpasses, and other harsh environments.

Learn More About Our Custom Grating

Founded in 1983, Laurel Custom Grating specializes in designing and fabricating heavy-duty custom steel grating solutions for various industries, including military, infrastructure, and construction. All grating solutions are welded to enhance strength and are available in mill, painted, or hot-dip galvanized finishes. Visit our website to learn more about our products, or contact us today if you need help finding your custom solution.