Grating products with a variety of different walking surfaces produced by forming a sheet into a plank or through an extrusion process.

Hole Type

Standard Aluminum Plank Grating comes with a rectangular punched staggered hole pattern. Other hole types are available by special order: Square, Round, or Solid (no holes).

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Opening Size

Opening size is the measure of the punched area. Opening size varies according to the hole type.

· Rectangular opening size is 19/32 inch x 3 inch
· Square opening size is 19/3 inch x 19/32 inch
· Round opening size, or diameter, is available in 1-inch diameter hole staggered pattern, or 3/16 inch diameter hole straight row pattern

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Opening Area

Open area is the open space within the punched area. The open area varies according to the hole type.

· Rectangular open area is 37.1%.
· Square open area is 22.3%.
· Round open area for a one-inch diameter is 26%. Open area for a 13/16 inch diameter is 23%.

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Surface

The HD Rectangular Upset Series has a standard Upset (ribbed) surface along each channel in the plank. The upset surface provides better slip resistance than a Plain surface.

End View of a Plank
Extruded Plank Grating - McNICHOLS® Aluminum - Surface

Top view of one channel showing a single rectangular opening and two half openings. The upset (ribbed) surface is located along both outer edges of the channel

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Height

The height is the top to bottom measurement of the plank channel. The standard height for the standard HD Rectangular Punched Upset Series is 1 inch. Other heights are available by special request: 3/4 , 1–1/4, 1–1/2, 1–3/4, 2, 2–1/4, or 2–1/2 inch..

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Leg Type

The legs support the plank and form the channels. The standard HD Rectangular Upset Series has smooth, I-bar shaped legs that allows the the panels to be placed side-by-side. Typically, there should be a 1/4 inch clearance between panels to accommodate expansion.

Snap Lock or Interlocking planks have legs on their outer edges that allow the planks to be snapped together for quick, secure assembly on-site. One side of the plan has a female edge and the other has a male edge. Interlocking planks are available by special order and are offered in a 1-inch height only.

Plain Leg
Extruded Plank Grating - McNICHOLS® Aluminum - Leg Type

Interlocking Leg
Extruded Plank Grating - McNICHOLS® Aluminum - Leg Type

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End Banding

Aluminum Plank can be End Banded or have a flat metal bar welded to the ends of the plank. The end banding gives the plank a finished look.

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Loading Information

When selecting a specific bar grating, it is important to know how much the grating will deflect (i.e. bend) under load. Deflection is determined by consulting a load table. Click for more information on load tables.

Types of load
Grating applications are subject to two common load types: Uniform and Concentrated.

Uniform Load
Uniform load is applied equally to the full width and span of the grating. It is measured in pounds per square foot.

Concentrated Load
Concentrated load is applied to the full width of the grating at mid-span and is not equally distributed across full length of the span. Concentrated load is measured in pounds per foot.

Is some grating applications, the grating may be subjected to a concentrated load over only a portion of its width. This is called a partial load. The deflection in a partial load is determined by the stiffness of both the bearing bars and the cross bars, and varies with the type of grating used. To determine carrying capacity of gratings subject to partial loads, click on live help, e-mail us at internet.sales@mcnichols.com or call McNICHOLS (1-800-237-3820).

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Length

The length is measured with the long run of the plank (parallel to the the legs). SAFPLANK® is available in 20 and 24 foot lengths. We can also cut the material to your specifications.

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Width

The standard width of the plank is 6 inches. The planks can be tack welded to widths of 36 inches. Planks can also be cut-to-size.

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Clear Span

Clear span is the length of unsupported grating. Grating supports typically have a foot or ledge on which the grating rests. The part of the grating resting on the support is not part of the clear span. For example: If a 36 inch long piece of grating rests on two supports, each with a 3-inch ledge, the clear span would be 36 inches minus the part of the grating resting on the ledge (which is a total of 6 inches). In this example, the clear span would be 30 inches.

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Span

The span of the grating is the length of the grating between grating supports. In order to perform in accordance with its design loading characteristics, aluminum plank must be installed so that the long way of the plank is parallel to the span.

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Quantity

Quantity is the number of full panels or pieces you will need. McNICHOLS will quote you on the exact quantity you specify and inform you if minimum quantities apply.

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Fasteners

Plank clips or plank lugs are typically used to secure Aluminum Plank grating. If you want fasteners, indicate which type and McNICHOLS will quote the specific clip size appropriate for your grating. You can also secure grating using customer fabricated fastening techniques.

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Tolerances

There are standard tolerances for shearing (cutting) bar grating products. If you do not specify a tolerance, the standard tolerance applies. Tolerances can be specified on the quote form.

More information on tolerances.

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Item		Description	Qty

	6783996020	McNICHOLS� Quality Extruded Plank Grating, Aluminum Type 6063-T6, Plank Grating - Punched, 1" Channel Depth, Smooth Surface, Panel, 6.0000" Width x 240.0000" Length Click here to cut this item to size
	6783896026	McNICHOLS Quality McNICHOLS� Grating, Aluminum Type 6063-T6, N/A - EXTRUSION Gauge, Plank Grating - Punched, 3/4" Channel Depth, N/A, Smooth Surface, Panel, 6.0000" Width x 312.0000" Length Add to cart to see price. Click here to cut this item to size
	6783956020	McNICHOLS Quality McNICHOLS� Grating, Aluminum Type 6063-T6, N/A - EXTRUSION Gauge, Plank Grating - Punched, 1-1/2" Channel Depth, N/A, Grooved Surface, Panel, 6.0000" Width x 240.0000" Length Add to cart to see price. Click here to cut this item to size
	6783946020	McNICHOLS Quality Extruded Plank Grating, Aluminum Type 6063-T6, Plank Grating - Punched, 2" Channel Depth, Grooved Surface, Panel, 6.0000" Width x 240.0000" Length Add to cart to see price. Click here to cut this item to size

McNICHOLS® Quality Grating - Plank Products