February 11, 2014 (Arlington, Va.) – The American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA), an American National Standard (ANS) developer, has issued a new FRP Composites Grating Manual to educate engineers, designers and endusers about the properties, performance and uses of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) grating. The engineering community relies on recognized standards when specifying materials and the FRP Composites Grating Manual will enable engineers to design and use FRP with confidence.
FRP grating, a composite material manufactured by combining a matrix of resin and fiberglass, is used in many different industries, from walkways in industrial plants to flooring on ships to decorative grids on commercial and residential buildings. FRP grating is more durable and corrosion resistant, making it preferable to steel, which can rust and corrode in extreme environments.
Aldred D’Souza, P.E., Chair of the Fiberglass Grating Manufacturers Council of the American Composites Manufacturers Association said, “The successful completion of the FRP Composites Grating Manual marks a major milestone in the advancement of the Industry.” D’Souza, who is the Director of Engineering/Design at Fibergrate Composite Structures, Inc. added, “The standard should increase the awareness of FRP grating and its suitability in a wide range of markets beyond wastewater treatment plants, waterparks and chemical plants. As FRP gratings become more mainstream because of this wider acceptance, market expansion for composites is evident.”
The FRP Composites Grating Manual has three sections:
- Load Tables: A quick reference for engineers to compare the performance of FRP grating types under specified load conditions
- Code of Standard Practice: Representation of generally accepted standard practices in the fiberglass grating industry
- Generic Specification: Suggested guidance for engineers and owners when procurement purchases the grating, keeping all manufacturers on a level playing field; this specification also promotes the manufacturing of gratings that will have minimum performance standards.
The new FRP Composites Grating Manual costs $50 for ACMA members and $75 for nonmembers for a hard copy. A digital download (PDF) version costs $40 for members and $60 for nonmembers. The manual can be found in the ACMA Education Hub: https://www.acmaeducationhub.org/products/1029/american-national-standard-frp-composites-grating-manual-forpultruded-and-molded-grating-stair-treads
To learn more about ACMA’s Fiberglass Grating Manufacturers Council, visit contact John Busel at jbusel@acmanet.org.
