GRP Handrail & Guardrail Systems

About GRP Handrails

Evergrip fibreglass handrails are a cost effective and long lasting alternative to metal rails. They are electrically non-conductive, ergonomic (warm to touch) and can be specially built and installed to meet your specific requirements.

They have excellent resistance to fatigue or impact and are corrosion, chemical & weather resistant.

Available in high visibility a safety yellow (RAL 1023) or steel grey (RAL 7045) colours with a full range of fittings available for the modular range.

Offered with a choice of two, high-quality GRP handrail types:  Modular Round Section  system or Profiled Top Square Section

We supply all the necessary fittings and fasteners for assembly / installation and can offer engineering confirmation / drawings and fabrication as additional services.

The basic design principles for guardrails:

• Upright support sections (stanchions)
• Top handrail
• Mid (knee) rail
• Kicker or Toe plate
• Floor or wall (side mount) fixing brackets
• A range of fittings and connectors, fasteners and fixings

In accordance with general building standards:

• A maximum allowable stanchion centre to centre spacing of 1500mm  (reducing stanchion spacing increases loading ability)
• A minimum top rail height above the walking surface of 1100mm
• Should offer a minimum service load of 300N/m x max. distance (m) between stanchions.

Design Standards:

The Safety of Machinery – Permanent Means of Access to machinery. Part 3: Stairways, stepladders & guardrails EN ISO 14122-3

BS 6399-1 Loading for buildings – Part 1: Code of practice for dead & imposed loads

BS 6180 Barriers in and about buildings – code of practice

A modular handrail system can be installed in a variety of different scenarios. They are particularly suited for industrial environments.

Typical installation scenarios for composite handrail systems might include:

• Access platform walkways
• Pedestrian bridges, steps & walkways
• Worker access to machinery
• Manufacturing plants
• Marine vessel applications
• Water treatment works
• Offshore wind & oil facilities
• Railway track-side applications

The fibreglass rail profiles are manufactured from polyester resin and glass filaments by a process of pultrusion with a surface veil. The associated GRP fittings are made by casting.

The optional application of a clear polyurethane coating or UV wax to completed assemblies when in exterior environments, will assist in reducing any long-term colour fade.

GRP materials have been used successfully in building and construction for 40+ years, with no discernible degradation in performance.