GRP riser grating provides a lightweight flooring solution for service risers and building voids. The main differences between GRP and traditional flooring materials usually come down to weight, corrosion resistance, installation, support requirements and access around building services.
What Is GRP Riser Grating?
GRP riser grating is used to create flooring and access within service risers, service voids and other areas containing mechanical and electrical services.
Panels can be cut and fabricated around pipework, ducting, cable routes and other penetrations, allowing the available floor area to be covered while maintaining the openings required for services.
Unlike ladders or staircases, riser grating is not a means of travelling between floors. Its purpose is to provide a suitable floor or working surface within the riser itself.
What Are the Alternatives to GRP Riser Grating?
The alternative depends on the building and the design of the riser.
Traditional solutions can include steel grating and other fabricated flooring systems. The correct approach needs to take account of the required loads, supporting structure, service penetrations, access requirements and conditions within the riser.
GRP is one option and should be selected because its properties suit the particular application, rather than simply being treated as a replacement for every traditional material.
Weight and Installation
One of the practical differences between GRP and steel is weight.
Lower panel weight can make GRP easier to move through a building and position within restricted service areas. This can be particularly useful when working inside risers where access for handling large flooring sections may be limited.
The supporting arrangement still needs to be suitable for the required loads and spans. Using a lightweight material does not remove the need for the floor system to be properly designed.
Cutting Around Building Services
Service risers rarely contain large areas of uninterrupted floor space. Pipework, ducting, cable trays and other services can all pass vertically through the riser.
GRP panels can be cut and fabricated to accommodate these penetrations and suit the available floor area.
This makes accurate information about the riser important before fabrication. Drawings, dimensions and service locations help establish the panel layout and identify where openings will be required.
Corrosion Resistance
GRP does not rust in the way that unprotected carbon steel can.
This can be useful where moisture, condensation or other environmental conditions need to be considered. It can also reduce the requirement for protective coatings associated with some metallic flooring systems.
The environment should still form part of the specification, as GRP products are available with different resin systems and performance characteristics.
Electrical Properties
GRP is electrically non-conductive, which can be an important material characteristic in service areas containing electrical equipment and cabling.
This is one of the practical differences between GRP and metallic flooring systems, although the complete design of the riser and its electrical safety requirements must still be considered.
Access Within the Riser
The purpose of riser flooring is not simply to close an opening.
The layout needs to consider how the riser will be accessed during construction and how building services may need to be inspected, maintained, altered or replaced later.
This can affect panel dimensions, openings around services and how individual sections are positioned.
A floor that works during the original installation should not unnecessarily obstruct future access to the services running through it.
Supporting the Riser Grating
GRP grating needs suitable support.
The required support arrangement depends on factors including the panel specification, clear span, applied loads and layout of the riser. Existing steelwork may form part of the support arrangement, or additional support may be required as part of the riser flooring system.
This is why panel thickness should not be selected in isolation. The complete flooring arrangement needs to be considered.
GRP or Steel Riser Grating?
There is no single answer that applies to every service riser.
Steel provides high stiffness and can be appropriate where the structural requirements favour a metallic system. GRP offers different advantages, including lower weight, corrosion resistance and electrical non-conductivity.
The decision should therefore be based on the actual riser rather than assuming that one material is automatically better.
Important information includes:
- Required loads and clear spans
- Available supporting structure
- Riser dimensions
- Pipework, ducting and other penetrations
- Environmental conditions
- Installation access
- Future maintenance requirements
Designing GRP Flooring Around Service Risers
A well-designed riser flooring system starts with understanding what is already within the riser and how the space will be used.
Panel layout, support positions and service openings can then be considered together rather than treating the grating as a standard panel that simply needs to fit the available opening.
Where possible, providing drawings and dimensions at the start of the project makes it easier to establish an appropriate GRP riser flooring arrangement.
GRP Riser Grating Systems
GRP riser grating can provide a practical alternative to traditional flooring materials where its weight, corrosion resistance and electrical properties suit the project.
The important point is to specify the system around the actual riser, including its loads, spans, supporting structure and service penetrations.
For help with a GRP riser flooring requirement, send us the available drawings, dimensions and project information so the proposed arrangement can be reviewed.