To provide a valuable reference for our industry, we explore the essential standards, specifications, and considerations for industrial bar grating applications. From NAAMM and ASTM requirements to material selection and maintenance best practices, this resource provides everything project managers and engineers need to know about bar grating for industrial platforms and walkways.
Due to its strength, durability, and versatility, bar grating is often the industrial steel solution of choice when designing industrial platforms, walkways, and elevated flooring systems. However, navigating the various standards, types, and specifications can be overwhelming for project managers and engineers. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about bar grating standards and applications.
Bar grating (metal grating) is a prefabricated product consisting of load-bearing parallel bars crossed by perpendicular connecting bars, creating an open grid pattern. It's manufactured from various metals, including carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum, making it ideal for industrial flooring, platforms, catwalks, mezzanines, and trench covers.
The open design of bar grating offers several advantages:
As a leading metal service center in the region, Boyd Metals provides an extensive range of bar grating options to meet your specific project requirements. Their inventory includes numerous variations such as 19W4, 15W4, and 15W2 configurations to accommodate load and span requirements. Customers can choose from various finishes, including painted, unpainted, galvanized, stainless steel, and aluminum. Boyd Metals offers smooth and serrated surfaces to address safety and environmental needs. Beyond supplying standard materials, Boyd Metals provides custom fabrication services to process grating to exact measurements and shapes, ensuring you receive precisely what your project demands without additional on-site modifications.
Several organizations establish standards for bar grating design, manufacturing, and installation, ensuring safety and consistency across the industry:
NAAMM (National Association of Architectural Metal Manufacturers)
The NAAMM's Metal Bar Grating Manual (MBG 531) is the industry bible for industrial steel bar grating specifications. This comprehensive standard:
ASTM International Standards
Several ASTM standards apply specifically to bar grating:
ANSI Safety Standards
The American National Standards Institute provides critical safety guidelines:
OSHA Regulations
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration establishes regulations that impact grating applications:
Based on the Fabrication Method
1. Welded Bar Grating
Welded bar grating is manufactured by placing load-bearing bars (bearing bars) at specified intervals and joining them with perpendicular cross bars using resistance welding. This process creates strong, uniform joints at each intersection. The stainless steel material used in this application offers exceptional corrosion resistance for demanding environments.
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2. Pressure-Locked Grating
The cross bars are hydraulically pressed into slots pre-punched in the bearing bars in a pressure-locked grating. This process creates a mechanical lock without welding.
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3. Riveted Grating
Riveted grating features cross bars attached to notched bearing bars using rivets to secure the connection.
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Based on Surface Treatment
1. Serrated Bar Grating
Serrated bar grating features bars bearing serrations (teeth or ridges) on the top surface.
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2. Smooth Bar Grating
Smooth bar grating has flat, non-serrated bearing bars.
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3. Painted Bar Grating
Painted bar grating has a protective coating applied to the metal surface.
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Choosing the right bar grating for industrial platforms and walkways requires careful consideration of load requirements, environmental conditions, safety standards, and maintenance needs. By understanding the various NAAMM, ASTM, ANSI, and OSHA standards, project managers and engineers can select appropriate grating specifications that ensure safe, durable, and cost-effective installations.
Whether you opt for serrated steel grating for maximum slip resistance in outdoor environments or smooth aluminum grating for corrosion resistance in food processing facilities, adherence to industry standards and proper installation practices will ensure your metal grating system provides safe, reliable service for many years.
Remember, while initial cost is always a consideration, the long-term performance and safety of your walkways, platforms, and industrial flooring depend on selecting the right bar grating specification for your specific application.