Hurricane Solutions

Hurricane Solutions

Docks & Piers in severe weather prone areas tend to suffer substantial damage after a storm.  Wood planks become loose and break off or are lifted up from the storm surge and wash away.  

Environmental Composites offers high flow-thru fiberglass grating that allows the water from a storm surge to flow through the grate openings so the grating stays in place and does not wash away.

We recommend a ¾” square grid, 1” or 1-1/2” thick that is durable, attractive and very easy on bare feet.

Environmental Composites also offers fiberglass structural materials including square tube, channel, I Beam & Angle that make excellent materials for designing and building your dock or pier structure.

Our fiberglass is UV and corrosion resistant which makes it the optimal choice for building materials in dock applications.

Please contact us today at (352) 343-3449 or reach out to us on our online contact form for more information about our hurricane solutions.

Fiberglass Dock Structure in Indian Keys, Florida

Available Resin Systems

Molded grating is available in three resin systems, each providing different levels of corrosion protection. All three resin systems meet Class 1 Flame Spread Rating per ASTM E-84 test standards.

GP: A general-purpose orthophthalic polyester resin system that offers good corrosion resistance at an economical price. Standard colors: Yellow and Light Gray.

IFR: A premium-grade isophthalic polyester resin system that provides excellent corrosion protection. Standard colors: Green, Yellow, Dark Gray and Light Gray.

VFR: A vinylester resin system that provides the highest level of corrosion protection. Standard colors: Orange and Dark Gray.

Available Top Surfaces

Molded grating is available in square or rectangular mesh patterns with either Meniscus or Grit-Top slip-resistant top surfaces.

Grit-Top: Quartz grit anti-slip surface.

Meniscus: Concave, half-moon cross section with no grit.

Mini-Mesh: The best solution for docks and piers.

Available Grid Dimensions

.75inx.75in square, 1in or 1.5in thick grating

1" or 1½" thick
¾" x ¾" Square Grid

Bearing bars .25" thick
Open area of 69%

1.5inx1.5in square, 1in or 1.5in thick grating

1" or 1½" thick
1½" x 1½" Square Grid

Bearing bars .25" thick
Open area of 69%

2inx2in square, 2in thick grating

2" thick
2" x 2" Square Grid

Bearing bars .3125" thick
Open area of 71%

1inx4in rectangular, 1in thick grating

1" thick
1" x 4" Rectangular Grid

Bearing bars .25" thick
Open area of 68%

1inx6in rectangular, 1.5in thick grating

1½" thick
1" x 6" Rectangular Grid

Bearing bars .6" thick
Open area of 38%

Available Panel Sizes

Grid Dimension Available Panel Sizes
1" x ¾" x ¾" (Square) 4' wide x 12' long
1½" x ¾" x ¾" (Square) 4' wide x 12' long
1" x 1½" x 1½" (Square) 3' wide x 10' long, 4' wide x 8' long, 4' wide x 12' long
1½" x 1½" x 1½" (Square) 3' wide x 10' long, 3' wide x 12' long, 4' wide x 12' long
2" x 2" x 2" (Square) 4' wide x 12' long, 5' wide x 12' long
1" x 1" x 4" (Rectangular) 4' long x 12' wide, 3' long x 10' wide
1½" x 1" x 6" (Rectangular) 4' wide x 12' long

To view load data for our molded grating, click on a size below.

square grating
square grating drawing

1" Thick     69% Open

Span
(inches)
CONCENTRATED LOAD in lb/ft of width Max Load
(lb/ft)
Apparent EI x 106
(lb-in2)
50 100 150 200 250 500 1000 2000
12 0.006 0.011 0.017 0.023 0.029 0.057 0.114 1189 0.31
18 0.018 0.035 0.053 0.071 0.089 0.177 934 0.34
24 0.040 0.080 0.120 0.160 0.199 0.399 668 0.36
30 0.076 0.152 0.228 0.304 0.380 534 0.37
36 0.128 0.256 0.384 0.512 0.640 360 0.38
Span
(inches)
UNIFORM LOAD in lb/ft of width Max Load
(lb/ft)
Apparent EI x 106
(lb-in2)
50 100 150 200 250 500 1000 2000
12 0.004 0.007 0.011 0.014 0.018 0.036 0.071 0.143 2378 0.31
18 0.017 0.033 0.050 0.066 0.083 0.166 0.332 1245 0.34
24 0.050 0.100 0.150 0.199 0.249 0.498 668 0.36
30 0.119 0.237 0.356 0.475 0.593 427 0.37
36 0.240 0.480 240 0.38
42 0.431 205 0.39
Properties Per Foot of Width # of Bars Load Bar Width Bar Centers Weight/sq ft
A = 1.79 in2     I = 0.15 in4     S = 0.30 in3 8 0.25" 1.5" 2.5
square grating
square grating drawing

1½" Thick     68% Open

Span
(inches)
CONCENTRATED LOAD in lb/ft of width Max Load
(lb/ft)
Apparent EI x 106
(lb-in2)
50 100 150 200 250 500 1000 2000
12 0.002 0.005 0.007 0.009 0.011 0.023 0.045 0.090 2041 0.80
18 0.005 0.011 0.016 0.022 0.027 0.055 0.109 1360 1.11
24 0.012 0.023 0.035 0.046 0.058 0.115 0.230 1021 1.25
30 0.021 0.043 0.064 0.086 0.107 0.214 816 1.31
36 0.036 0.072 0.108 0.144 0.180 0.360 680 1.35
42 0.056 0.113 0.169 0.224 0.282 0.563 583 1.37
48 0.084 0.167 0.251 0.334 0.418 510 1.38
54 0.119 0.238 0.357 0.476 0.594 453 1.38
Span
(inches)
UNIFORM LOAD in lb/ft of width Max Load
(lb/ft)
Apparent EI x 106
(lb-in2)
50 100 150 200 250 500 1000 2000
12 0.001 0.003 0.004 0.006 0.007 0.014 0.028 0.057 4082 0.80
18 0.005 0.010 0.015 0.021 0.026 0.051 0.103 1813 1.11
24 0.014 0.029 0.043 0.058 0.072 0.144 0.288 1021 1.25
30 0.033 0.067 0.100 0.134 0.167 0.334 653 1.31
36 0.067 0.135 0.202 0.270 0.337 453 1.35
42 0.123 0.246 0.370 0.493 0.616 333 1.37
48 0.209 0.417 0.626 255 1.38
54 0.334 0.669 201 1.38
Properties Per Foot of Width # of Bars Load Bar Width Bar Centers Weight/sq ft
A = 2.73 in2     I = 0.49 in4     S = 0.65 in3 8 0.25" 1.5" 3.94
square grating
square grating drawing

2" Thick     71% Open

Span
(inches)
CONCENTRATED LOAD in lb/ft of width Max Load
(lb/ft)
Apparent EI x 106
(lb-in2)
50 100 150 200 250 500 1000 2000
12 0.001 0.002 0.003 0.004 0.005 0.010 0.020 0.040 4632 1.80
18 0.003 0.006 0.009 0.011 0.014 0.029 0.057 0.114 3088 2.13
24 0.006 0.012 0.018 0.024 0.030 0.060 0.120 0.240 2316 2.40
30 0.011 0.023 0.034 0.045 0.056 0.113 0.225 1853 2.50
36 0.019 0.038 0.057 0.076 0.095 0.191 0.381 1544 2.55
42 0.030 0.059 0.089 0.118 0.148 0.296 0.591 1323 2.61
48 0.043 0.087 0.130 0.174 0.217 0.435 1158 2.65
54 0.061 0.122 0.183 0.244 0.305 0.610 1029 2.69
60 0.083 0.166 0.249 0.332 0.415 926 2.71
Span
(inches)
UNIFORM LOAD in lb/ft of width Max Load
(lb/ft)
Apparent EI x 106
(lb-in2)
50 100 150 200 250 500 1000 2000
12 <0.001 0.001 0.002 0.003 0.003 0.006 0.013 0.025 9264 1.80
18 0.003 0.005 0.008 0.011 0.013 0.027 0.053 0.107 4117 2.13
24 0.008 0.015 0.023 0.030 0.038 0.075 0.150 0.300 2316 2.40
30 0.018 0.035 0.053 0.070 0.088 0.176 0.352 1482 2.50
36 0.036 0.071 0.107 0.143 0.179 0.357 1029 2.55
42 0.065 0.129 0.194 0.259 0.323 0.647 756 2.61
48 0.109 0.217 0.326 0.435 0.543 579 2.65
54 0.171 0.343 0.514 0.686 457 2.69
60 0.259 0.519 371 2.71
Properties Per Foot of Width # of Bars Load Bar Width Bar Centers Weight/sq ft
A = 3.12 in2     I = 1.03 in4     S = 1.03 in3 6 0.3125" 2" 4.51
square grating
square grating drawing

1" Thick     44% Open

Span
(inches)
CONCENTRATED LOAD in lb/ft of width Max Load
(lb/ft)
Apparent EI x 106
(lb-in2)
50 100 150 200 250 500 1000 2000
12 0.003 0.006 0.012 0.031 0.045 0.059 0.089 0.120 1239 0.599
18 0.012 0.024 0.049 0.125 0.188 0.254 0.389 826 0.486
24 0.029 0.057 0.116 0.295 0.456 0.580 620 0.494
30 0.059 0.116 0.233 0.605 496 0.478
36 0.088 0.175 0.360 413 0.549
42 0.171 0.346 354 0.448
48 0.262 0.524 310 0.439
54 0.345 0.685 275 0.447
Span
(inches)
UNIFORM LOAD in lb/ft of width Max Load
(lb/ft)
Apparent EI x 106
(lb-in2)
50 100 150 200 250 500 1000 2000
12 0.002 0.005 0.007 0.009 0.011 0.023 0.046 0.091 2480 0.599
18 0.011 0.021 0.032 0.043 0.053 0.106 0.213 0.425 1425 0.486
24 0.033 0.066 0.098 0.131 0.164 0.328 825 0.494
30 0.077 0.154 0.230 0.307 0.384 536 0.478
36 0.168 0.336 0.504 310 0.549
42 0.323 0.645 250 0.448
48 0.537 0.439
Properties Per Foot of Width # of Bars Load Bar Width Bar Centers Weight/sq ft
A = 2.47 in2     I = 0.16 in4     S = 0.34 in3 8 0.25" 0.75" 4.06
square grating
square grating drawing

1½" Thick     44% Open

Span
(inches)
CONCENTRATED LOAD in lb/ft of width Max Load
(lb/ft)
Apparent EI x 106
(lb-in2)
50 100 150 200 250 500 1000 2000
12 0.002 0.003 0.005 0.006 0.008 0.016 0.032 0.063 3090 1.14
18 0.004 0.009 0.013 0.017 0.021 0.043 0.085 0.170 2060 1.43
24 0.009 0.018 0.026 0.035 0.044 0.088 0.176 0.352 1545 1.64
30 0.016 0.032 0.048 0.064 0.080 0.160 0.321 0.642 1236 1.75
36 0.027 0.053 0.080 0.106 0.133 0.266 0.532 1030 1.83
42 0.041 0.083 0.124 0.165 0.207 0.413 883 1.87
48 0.060 0.121 0.181 0.242 0.302 0.605 773 1.90
54 0.085 0.170 0.255 0.339 0.424 687 1.93
60 0.116 0.232 0.347 0.463 0.579 618 1.94
Span
(inches)
UNIFORM LOAD in lb/ft of width Max Load
(lb/ft)
Apparent EI x 106
(lb-in2)
50 100 150 200 250 500 1000 2000
12 <0.001 0.002 0.003 0.004 0.005 0.010 0.020 0.039 6180 1.14
18 0.004 0.008 0.012 0.016 0.020 0.040 0.080 0.159 2747 1.43
24 0.011 0.022 0.033 0.044 0.055 0.110 0.220 1545 1.64
30 0.025 0.050 0.075 0.100 0.125 0.251 0.502 989 1.75
36 0.050 0.100 0.149 0.199 0.249 0.498 687 1.83
42 0.090 0.181 0.271 0.362 0.452 505 1.87
48 0.151 0.302 0.454 0.605 386 1.90
54 0.239 0.477 305 1.93
60 0.362 247 1.94
Properties Per Foot of Width # of Bars Load Bar Width Bar Centers Weight/sq ft
A = 3.29 in2     I = 0.74 in4     S = 0.90 in3 8 0.25" 0.75" 4.75
square grating
square grating drawing

1 1/8" Thick     Covered

Span
(inches)
CONCENTRATED LOAD in lb/ft of width Max Load
(lb/ft)
Apparent EI x 106
(lb-in2)
50 100 150 200 250 500 1000 2000
12 0.006 0.011 0.017 0.023 0.029 0.057 0.114 1189 0.31
18 0.018 0.035 0.053 0.071 0.089 0.177 934 0.34
24 0.040 0.080 0.120 0.160 0.199 0.399 668 0.36
30 0.076 0.152 0.228 0.304 0.380 534 0.37
36 0.128 0.256 0.384 0.512 0.640 360 0.38
Span
(inches)
UNIFORM LOAD in lb/ft of width Max Load
(lb/ft)
Apparent EI x 106
(lb-in2)
50 100 150 200 250 500 1000 2000
12 0.004 0.007 0.011 0.014 0.018 0.036 0.071 0.143 2378 0.31
18 0.017 0.033 0.050 0.066 0.083 0.166 0.332 1245 0.34
24 0.050 0.100 0.150 0.199 0.249 0.498 668 0.36
30 0.119 0.237 0.356 0.475 0.593 427 0.37
36 0.240 0.480 240 0.38
42 0.431 205 0.39
Properties Per Foot of Width # of Bars Load Bar Width Bar Centers Weight/sq ft
A = 1.79 in2     I = 0.15 in4     S = 0.30 in3 8 0.25" 1.5" 2.73
  1. The above tables were developed in accordance with the test method developed by the Fiberglass Grating Manufacturers Council (FGMC) of the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) for the Fiberglass Grating Standard.
  2. The designer should not exceed MAXIMUM RECOMMENDED load at any time. MAXIMUM LOAD represents a 4:1 factor of safety on ULTIMATE CAPACITY. ULTIMATE CAPACITY represents MAX LOAD observed at initial fracture.
  3. Walking loads for maintenance traffic are typically a live load of 50 PSF. Deflections for worker comfort are typically limited to 0.375" or SPAN divided by 120 under full live load. For a firmer feel under full live load or a line load 250 lb/ft of width, limit deflections to 0.25" or SPAN divided by 200.
  4. The loads represented are for STATIC LOAD CONDITIONS at ambient temperature. Deflections for impact loads or dynamic loads will MULTIPLY the deflections shown by 2. Long term loads will result in added deflection due to creep in the material and will require higher factors of safety to ensure acceptable performance.
  5. Deflections are limited to 0.5" as recommended by the Fiberglass Grating Manufacturers Council of the American Composites Manufacturers Association.

High Load Capacity Molded Grating

High Load Capacity (HLC) molded grating is high-strength, corrosion-resistance and low-maintenance, like our traditional molded grating, with the added bonus of being engineered to carry higher loads than traditional grating. Our molded HLC grating is available in 4' x 6' panels with 1½" and 2" thickness and comes in GPFR, IFR and VFR resin systems in standard gray color.

Features

  • High strength
  • Corrosion resistant
  • Low conductivity
  • Fire retardant
  • Low maintenance

Applications

  • Flooring, platforms and ramps
  • Storage areas
  • Assembly lines
  • Long-span walkways
  • Trench covers with vehicular traffic

Available Resin Systems

HLC molded grating is available in three resin systems, each providing different levels of corrosion protection. All three resin systems meet Class 1 Flame Spread Rating per ASTM E-84 test standards.

GPFR: A general-purpose orthophthalic polyester resin system that offers good corrosion resistance at an economical price.

IFR: A premium-grade isophthalic polyester resin system that provides excellent corrosion protection.

VFR: A vinylester resin system that provides the highest level of corrosion protection.

To view load data for our molded grating, click on a size below.

high load rectangular grating
high load rectangular grating drawing

1½" Thick     48% Open

Span
(inches)
CONCENTRATED LOAD in lb/ft of width Max Load
(lb/ft)
200 500 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000
18 <0.01 0.02 0.04 0.07 0.11 0.15 0.19 28,047
24 0.02 0.04 0.09 0.17 0.26 0.34 0.44 20,430
36 0.06 0.14 0.28 13,620
42 0.09 0.22 0.44 11,619
Span
(inches)
UNIFORM LOAD in lb/ft of width Max Load
(lb/ft)
200 400 500 600 700 800
18 <0.01 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.03 36,000
24 0.02 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.08 0.09 20,390
36 0.10 0.21 0.26 0.31 0.37 0.42 8,814
42 0.19 0.39 0.48 6,550
Properties Per Foot of Width # of Bars Load Bar Width Bar Centers Weight/sq ft
A = 7.2 in2     I = 1.35 in4     S = 1.75 12 T-.43 / B-.35 1" 6.21
high load rectangular grating
high load rectangular grating drawing

2" Thick     48% Open

Span
(inches)
CONCENTRATED LOAD in lb/ft of width Max Load
(lb/ft)
200 500 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000
18 <0.01 0.01 0.03 0.05 0.07 0.10 0.13 32,651
24 0.02 0.03 0.06 0.11 0.17 0.22 0.27 27,245
36 0.04 0.09 0.17 0.34 0.51 18,130
42 0.05 0.13 0.26 15,525
Span
(inches)
UNIFORM LOAD in lb/ft of width Max Load
(lb/ft)
200 400 500 600 700 800
18 <0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 43,494
24 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.04 0.05 27,195
36 0.06 0.12 0.15 0.18 0.21 0.24 8,795
42 0.11 0.22 0.28 0.33 0.39 0.44 8,795
Properties Per Foot of Width # of Bars Load Bar Width Bar Centers Weight/sq ft
A = 7.2 in2     I = 1.35 in4     S = 1.75 12 T-.47 / B-.35 1" 8.4
  1. The above tables were developed in accordance with the test method developed by the Fiberglass Grating Manufacturers Council (FGMC) of the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) for the Fiberglass Grating Standard.
  2. The designer should not exceed MAXIMUM RECOMMENDED load at any time. MAXIMUM LOAD represents a 4:1 factor of safety on ULTIMATE CAPACITY. ULTIMATE CAPACITY represents MAX LOAD observed at initial fracture.
  3. Walking loads for maintenance traffic are typically a live load of 50 PSF. Deflections for worker comfort are typically limited to 0.375" or SPAN divided by 120 under full live load. For a firmer feel under full live load or a line load 250 lb/ft of width, limit deflections to 0.25" or SPAN divided by 200.
  4. The loads represented are for STATIC LOAD CONDITIONS at ambient temperature. Deflections for impact loads or dynamic loads will MULTIPLY the deflections shown by 2. Long term loads will result in added deflection due to creep in the material and will require higher factors of safety to ensure acceptable performance.
  5. Deflections are limited to 0.5" as recommended by the Fiberglass Grating Manufacturers Council of the American Composites Manufacturers Association.

Videos

During Hurricane Irma
00:23

Documents

Grating Brochure

Fiberglass Structural Profiles Brochure