Structural Steel Grates for Stairs

Structural Steel Grating

• Structural steel bar grating is a load-bearing product, with a wide range of applications for industrial and commercial use. Grating is manufactured in panels or prefabricated to comply with a specific design or function. The grates allow air, light and heat to pass through, while the bar grating design combines strength with an economical use of materials. Grating is easy to clean -- especially important in commercial kitchens and agricultural and industrial operations -- while maintaining a suitable and strong surface for traffic.

Grating Construction

• Metal grating consists of parallel bearing bars with crossbars -- or crimp bars -- set perpendicular to the bearing bars to hold them in place. The grating may be fabricated from carbon steel alloys, aluminum or stainless steel, depending on the needs of the project. Stainless steel can withstand high temperatures and is corrosion-resistant. Many configurations are available, including variations in the bar spacing, surface quality and load-bearing strength.

Grate Stairs

• Most grating products can be adapted as safety stair treads. Grating keeps the treads clear of debris and slippery materials, while slip-resistance can be increased with coatings or by designing the grid so walkers don't catch their shoes in the bar spaces. Fire-resistance is another attribute of the grating, and fire escapes are typically constructed using steel grate treads. Stairs can be constructed in various forms to meet architectural requirements, such as spiral staircases, or combining the treads with other materials.

Structural Steel Grate Stair Construction

• Steel staircases are assembled with grate treads fastened to metal stringers. The stringers consist of rectangular hollow sections, channels or plates that are bolted or welded to supporting members. The maximum tread length depends on the width, the bearing bar thickness and the type of tread surface, but they're available in a range of tread widths. Tread surfaces may be fabricated in different grating styles to suit the environment, while planked grates can be solid, or punched with different patterns.