GRP Handrails Systems

About GRP Handrails

Here at Evergrip, our fibreglass handrails are a cost effective and long lasting alternative to metal rails. They are both ergonomic and specially designed to meet your specific requirements.

Our handrail solutions are made to fit into each other and are especially easy to handle due to the weight of the handrail. They have excellent resistance to fatigue or impact and are corrosion, chemical & weather resistant.

Available in high visibility safety yellow handrails or steel grey handrails.

Offered with a choice of two, high-quality GRP handrail types: Round Section and Profiled Top Square Section.

Both types are available with all necessary handrail GRP fittings and fasteners for assembly and follow the same basic design principles:

• 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 building safety standards:

• A maximum allowable stanchion centre to centre spacing of 1500mm (a reduction in stanchion spacing will accordingly increase 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.

Safety Standards: The Safety of Machinery – Permanent Means of Access standard states:

EN ISO 14122-3:2001 + A1:2010 Section 7.1.10: Where access through the guardrail is required, a self-closing gate shall be used. A gate shall have the handrail and knee rail positioned at the same level as that of the guard-rail that it extends to (for exit section of the ladder, see EN ISO 14122.

4). EN ISO 14122-4:2004 + A1:2010 Section 4.7.3.2: To prevent falling through the access opening at arrival areas the opening shall be provided with a gate.  The gates shall meet the following requirements:

• Opening direction of this gate shall not be towards the edge of the drop outwards)
• The gate shall be designed so, that it can be opened easily
• The gate shall close automatically, e. g. by means of springs or the effects of gravity
• The gate shall have at least a handrail and a knee rail according to relevant requirements of EN ISO 14122-3

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 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 trackside applications

The application of a polyurethane coating to completed assemblies in exterior environments will reduce long-term colour fade.

The rail is manufactured from polyester resin by a process of pultrusion with a surface veil. The associated GRP handrail fittings are made by casting.

Our industrial handrail solutions carry a design life in excess of 20 years. GRP materials have been used successfully in building and constructions for 30+ years, with no discernable degradation in performance.