| Product Information |
| Pressure-locked means bearing bars are locked in position by cross bar deformation instead of riveting or welding. Typically, the bearing and cross bars contain slotted openings that are aligned in an egg-crate fashion. Then, the bars are pressed under intense hydraulic pressure. The result is a flush top with excellent lateral stability and standing comfort. |
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Press Locked Series
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McNichols’ press-locked products are divided into four series—each with specific bearing and cross bar spacing, bearing bar sizes, weights, load characteristics, fastener requirements, etc. Links to press-locked series information are provided below. Press-locked is also available as a Close Mesh series.
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| Material Selection - |
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Note: For stainless steel, the standard mill finish will be gray and will have a discoloration of various colors (blue, black, brown, etc.) as a result of the heat generated in the welding process in manufacturing of the grating. Sandblasting is available to improve the appearance. |
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| Center to Center Bearing Bar Spacing |
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| Center to Center bearing bar spacing is the of distance from the center of one bearing bar to the center of the next bearing bar. See the spacing table for more information on the GAA, GBB, GCC & GDD series center to center bearing bar spacing. |
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| Center to Center Cross Bar Spacing |
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| Cross bar spacing is the distance from the center of one cross bar to the center of next cross bar. See spacing table for for more information on the GAA, GBB, GCC & GDD Series cross bar spacing. |
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| Construction |
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Press-Locked Grating bearing and cross bars contain slots that are aligned in a egg-crate fashion, Then, the bars are pressed together under tremendous hydraulic pressure that locks the bars in place. Press-locked grating™ strength is similar to welded bar grating, but the appearance is more suitable to architectural applications. Press-Locked grating should not be used for wheel or barefoot pedestrian traffic.
The bearing bars run parallel to the length or span of a standard grating panel and are responsible for the product’s load bearing capabilities. The cross bars, which run parallel to the width of the span, are primarily responsible for holding the bearing bars together. However, they also play a factor in deflection characteristics, especially for concentrated loads which are not distributed across the span of the grating. |
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| Surface |
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Welded bar grating is available with the following surfaces:
· Smooth - Standard surface.
· Serrated - Serrations are cut into the grating’s bearing bars surface
· Grip TightTM - Grit is bonded to the grating surface.
Grip TightTM surfaces provide slip resistance and are available by special order. |
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| Banding |
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Bar grating panels, pieces, or trench grating can be banded to provide strength and to provide a finished look. Banding is the welding of a rectangular metal bar to the ends of the bearing bars. Two banding types are available, based on the placement of the welds.
· Load Banding - The metal bar is welded at every bearing bar. Load banding is commonly used in trench grating applications where high loading requirements exist (i.e. motorized wheel traffic). Note: Aluminum products are not load banded.
· Trim Banding - The metal bar is welded only at every 4th to 6th bearing bar. Trim banding is commonly used for pedestrian traffic applications where loading is not a factor. |
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| Bearing Bar Height |
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| The bearing bar height, also known as bearing bar depth, is measured from the bottom of the bearing bar to the top. See the appropriate GAA, GBB, GCC or GDD Series load table for available bearing bar heights. |
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| Bearing Bar Thickness |
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| The bearing bar thickness, also known as bearing bar width, is the measurement of distance between the left surface of the bearing bar to the right surface of the same bearing bar. The standard rectangular bearing bar thickness for welded grating is 3/16 inch. A smaller bearing bar thickness is available in 1/8 inch . |
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| Span |
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| 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, grating must be installed so that the bearing bars are parallel to the span. This is necessary because bearing bars are the primary elements which support the load applied to the grating. |
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| Clear Span |
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| 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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| Loading Information |
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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.
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.
Grating in some applications 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, email us at internet.sales@mcnichols.com or call McNICHOLS (1-800-237-3820). |
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| Traffic Type |
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If you don’t know the bearing bar height and thickness you require, the appropriate grating size can be determined from the load the grating is expected to carry. The following information is required.
What type of traffic will the grating support?
If only people are supported, specify pedestrian. If wheel traffic is to be supported, choose between "on-" or "off-road" vehicles. On-road vehicles include trucks, cars or any other vehicles that could be registered and licensed. If the vehicle would not typically be registered, a construction vehicle or forklift, for example, then specify "off-road."
For Wheel Traffic Only
If the traffic includes off-road vehicles, then it is necessary to know:
· Weight or capacity of the vehicle in pounds
· Wheel diameter in inches
· Width of wheel in inches
· The tire type, either solid or pneumatic (air filled) |
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| Width |
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| The standard panel width is 3 feet. The width of cut-to-size pieces are a function of bearing bar spacing—see length/width table for exact cut-to-size widths. |
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| Length or Span |
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The standard panel length is 12 feet. Other panel lengths are available by special order. Panels may also be cut-to-size.
The bearing bars run the length of the panel and this is also the direction of the grating span that provides optimum loading capacity. Please consult the appropriate load table for application requirements. |
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Load Tables
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| Quantity |
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| 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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| Cut Type and Stubs |
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Bar Grating can be cut three ways to produce three different types of stubs: random, uniform, or equal stub. The cutting costs vary according to the material, number of cuts, and type of cut.
Random cut
This is the most cost effective cut and is standard. When two equally-sized, randomly-cut pieces are placed side-by-side, the cross bars may not line up. The measurements for equal pieces will be the same; however, the distance from the bearing bar ends (stubs) to the cross bars will vary from piece to piece and end to end.
Uniform cut
When two equally-sized, uniformly-cut pieces are placed side-by-side, the cross bars will line up, but may not be centered. The measurements for equal pieces are the same; however, the distance from the bearing bar ends (stubs) to the cross bars will not be the same on both ends but will be uniform from piece to piece.
Equal Stubs
When two equally-sized pieces with equal cut stubs are placed side-by-side, the cross bars will line up and will be centered. The measurements for equal pieces are the same and the distance from the bearing bar ends (stubs) to the cross bars will also be the same on both ends. |
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| Clips and Fasteners |
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| Saddle or G style clips are typically used to secure press locked bar 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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| Open Space |
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Open space is the clear spacing between the bearing bars. It is also the difference between the bearing bar thickness and bearing bar center to center spacing. For example, open space for GAA bar grating with a 3/16 inch bearing bar thickness is 1 inch (1–3/16 inch bearing bar centers - 3/16 inch bearing bar thickness = 1 inch open space). The table to the right lists the press-locked bar grating open space.
| Open Space |
| Series |
BB Thickness |
Open Space |
| GAA |
3/16 inch |
1 inch |
| GBB |
3/16 inch |
1 inch |
| GCC |
3/16 inch |
3/4 inch |
| GDD |
3/16 inch |
3/4 inch |
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| Open Area |
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Open area is the total area of the space between the cross and bearing bars divided by the total area of the bar grating panel and is expressed as a percent. The larger the open area, the higher the percentage of light, air, or fluid that can pass through the grating.
| Open Area |
| Series |
BB Thickness |
% Open Area |
| GAA |
3/16 inch
1/8 inch |
81%
86% |
| GBB |
3/16 inch
1/8 inch |
81%
86% |
| GCC |
3/16 inch |
77% |
| GDD |
3/16 inch |
75% |
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| Tolerances |
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There are standard tolerances for shearing (cutting) heavy weld 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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