Anti-slip grating

Grating on the Kinzie Street Bridge in Chicago, Illinois

Anti-slip gratings (more correctly known as slip-resistant grating) are grating products used to provide grip on steps, running boards, walkways, platforms, and ladder rungs.

Anti-slip gratings are produced by stamping and extruding perforations or serrations into sheet metal. Bar gratings, expanded metal, and diamond plate (or checker plate) are technically not safety gratings. Independent testing of these products demonstrate very little slip resistance compared to true safety grating.

Types

Stamped sheet metal safety gratings

• Diamond-shaped serrated perforated sheet metal. Examples of trade names are Grip Strut, Diamond Grip, Ry, Diamond, Grip Span, Deck Span, Grip Track.
• Round hole perforated sheet metal. Examples of trade names are Perf-o-grip, Safety-grip, Shur Grip, Ry-Grip, Open Grip and Grate Lock.
• Raised dimple perforated sheet metal. Examples of trade names are Traction Tread, Safety Tread, Shur Step, Ry-Tread and Tread Grip.
• Bar grating is a heavy-duty grating product best suited for heavy loads such as vehicles. Bar grating is often supplied in a serrated or non-serrated condition.

For years the serrated was believed to provide better slip resistance, however, in recent years test have demonstrated better slip resistance is some conditions.^{[ citation needed ]} This is due to the primary method of slip resistance is the surface area of the bearing bar and not the serrations. Expanded metal products are better suited for screening than they are for slip resistance. Diamond plate and checker plate should only be used a decorative surface such as the side of a toolbox as they provide almost no slip resistance compared to other products.

Uses

Common uses for these products are steps, running boards, walkways, platforms, and ladder rungs.