In some of our previous posts we have mentioned GFRP products; today we are going to take a closer look at this type of material.
What it is, how it is used in the work-at-height safety sector, since this type of solution is increasingly common and necessary because of its various advantages, and examples of how to apply it.
What Is GFRP?
First of all, let us begin by explaining what this material is made of. GFRP is the abbreviation for Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyester; its main component is a plastic reinforced with these fibers, and the combination of the two materials results in a very strong element.
There are several reasons why this material is gaining a strong presence in different sectors, among them:
- High mechanical strength, in both tension and compression.
- High resistance to chemicals and corrosion.
- Fire retardant.
- Durable outdoors.
- Long service life.
Along with these characteristics, and speaking of our sector, one very important factor stands out: the lightness of this material.
Why Is GFRP So Attractive for Work-at-Height Safety?
In manufacturing work-at-height safety systems, one of the handicaps we usually find in roof installations is the weight limit.
Not all roofs are designed the same way, and their structures, the materials used in their construction, and the equipment installed on them (cooling units, maintenance rooms, etc.) make it harder to install our systems when a solution is required to provide access or safety on these roofs.
The designs of the various GFRP systems ease this situation: thanks to the lightness of this material, the elements add less weight to the roofs, avoiding overloading them and thus the risks that this could entail.
But it is not only attractive for lightening roofs; there are also various situations that call for installing GFRP systems instead of conventional installations in aluminum, treated iron (galvanized, zinc-plated, painted), or even stainless steel.
Let us imagine companies that work with chemical or corrosive substances. A very common situation in this type of industry is the need to create access routes and provide safety on access to the machines located there. If we used a system made of aluminum, iron, etc., the system would deteriorate prematurely because of those external agents in daily contact with these materials, leading to frequent replacements and possible risks from weakening of the material.
That is why a good solution is to change the material used to manufacture our systems and thereby achieve greater longevity of the installed elements.
Another important aspect is that most of our products are installed outdoors, and various environmental agents wear down the installed systems over time; these GFRP products help ensure they last a little longer.
But although its main attractions for our sector are lightness and durability, that is not the only reason it appeals. We often find ourselves in situations where, because of the risk of electrical contact, we cannot provide a solution made of metal systems due to their high conductivity, or we are forced to insulate them, making the product more expensive. In this case we will also turn to GFRP, since it is a good electrical insulator with zero conductivity.
What Systems Can We Find in GFRP?
This material is very easy to mold and manufacture, which gives us endless possibilities when designing and manufacturing our safety systems.
In the work-at-height safety sector, we can find this type of material in:
- Vertical access ladders and their components (folding rungs, landings, etc.).
- Edge protection guardrails.
- All kinds of custom fabrications to provide access or safety.
- Crossovers, walkways, platforms.
- Grating walkways finished in GFRP.
In short, its versatility makes it easier for us to design and manufacture different elements, always carrying out a prior study to determine the client’s needs and looking for the most suitable solution if this type of product is called for.