Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) grating is increasingly specified for data centers, industrial facilities, manufacturing plants, and utility infrastructure where safe, slip-resistant access to equipment and service areas is essential.
Combining corrosion resistance, a high strength-to-weight ratio, and an integral slip-resistant surface, Archatrak SpanTrak FRP grating provides durable, low-maintenance walking surfaces for maintenance walkways, equipment access routes, platforms, catwalks, trench and drain covers, and other industrial service areas. Lightweight 4′ × 8′ panels can be easily cut and fabricated on site with standard tools, allowing installations to adapt to changing equipment layouts without welding or specialized fabrication.
Archatrak SpanTrak FRP grating panels are manufactured with Type I Isophthalic resins and Aluminum Hydroxide filler, achieving a Class A fire resistance rating when tested to ASTM E84. Supplied with an integral gritted slip-resistant surface, SpanTrak delivers long-term durability with minimal maintenance, making it a reliable solution for critical infrastructure where worker safety, dependable performance, and reduced lifecycle costs are priorities.
Benefits of SpanTrak FRP Grating for Data centers and industrial applications
Corrosion Resistant
Will not rust, rot, or corrode in wet, humid, or chemically exposed environments, making it ideal for cooling towers, rooftops, and industrial facilities.
Open Grid Design
Open-grid construction promotes airflow and rapid drainage while allowing debris and moisture to pass through, keeping maintenance pathways cleaner and drier.
Lightweight & Easy to Handle
Significantly lighter than steel, reducing rooftop handling, installation time, and labor requirements without sacrificing strength.
Simple Onsite Fabrication
Cut and drill with standard power tools, no special-order sizes or prefabrication needed.
Non-Conductive
Fiberglass construction is electrically non-conductive, providing a safer walking surface around electrical equipment, conduit, and critical infrastructure
High Load Capacity
Engineered to support maintenance personnel, equipment, and utility applications including platforms, walkways, and trench covers.
Class A Fire Resistant
Manufactured with Aluminum Hydroxide filler to achieve a Class A fire resistance rating when tested to ASTM E84 for demanding commercial and industrial applications.
Slip Resistant
Factory-molded gritted surface provides reliable traction in wet and demanding conditions.
APPLICATION
Indoor & Outdoor Access Walkways & Platforms
SpanTrak FRP grating panels can be easily installed on adjustable pedestal supports, low-profile rubber support pads, frames or joists create safe, level walkways and maintenance platforms around equipment, over piping and conduit, and across service areas while preserving airflow, drainage, and easy access to the systems below. Non-conductive, lightweight, corrosion-resistant panels can be easily fabricated on site to accommodate changing equipment layouts without specialized tools or welding.
Ideal for Data Center & Industrial Applications Including:
- Rooftop equipment walkways
- Chiller plant access
- Pedestal-supported service pathways
- Equipment access platforms
- Pipe and conduit crossings
- HVAC maintenance areas
APPLICATION
Utility Trench & Drain Covers
FRP grating provides a durable, corrosion-resistant alternative to traditional steel trench covers and drain grates in data centers and industrial facilities. High-strength SpanTrak panels withstand demanding pedestrian and service loads while remaining lightweight enough for easy removal during routine maintenance and utility access. Open-grid construction promotes rapid drainage, helping prevent standing water while maintaining access to below-grade utilities and drainage systems.
Ideal for Data Center & Industrial Applications Including:
- Utility trench covers
- Linear drain covers
- Mechanical room drainage
- Cooling plant drainage channels
- Equipment pit covers
- Cable and utility trenches
- Process drainage systems
APPLICATION
Mezzanines & Service Platforms
FRP grating provides a durable, low-maintenance walking surface for elevated mezzanines, service platforms, and equipment access areas in data centers and industrial facilities. Corrosion-resistant, electrically non-conductive, lightweight panels create safe working surfaces around mechanical equipment while reducing structural dead loads compared to traditional steel grating. The open-grid design promotes airflow and drainage while allowing light and utility visibility through the platform.
Ideal for Data Center & Industrial Applications Including:
- Equipment mezzanines
- Accessible server room floors
- Service platforms
- Elevated maintenance walkways
- Industrial catwalks
- Mechanical equipment platforms
- Equipment access areas
Technical Specs
Spantrak Grating Options
SpanTrak panels are supplied as standard in 4′ x 8′ sheets with a gritted anti-slip surface finish in dark grey. For beachfront boardwalks where barefoot traffic is common, a smoother meniscus finish is available as an alternative to the standard grit.
SpanTrak MacroMesh is our widest aperture fiberglass grating, designed for applications where maximum drainage, airflow, and debris passage are important. With a 1-1/4″ × 1-1/4″ mesh opening MacroMesh provides secure footing while minimizing material weight at just 3.0 lb./sq.ft. Panels are manufactured in 1-1/4″ thickness with 1-1/2″ deep load bars spaced 1-1/2″ on center, making them suitable for joist spacing up to 24″ on center.
SpanTrak MidiMesh is an excellent all-around choice for industrial settings. With a 1/2″ x 1/2″ aperture size, MidiMesh provides excellent foot coverage, accommodates high heel traffic, and delivers a smooth rolling surface for wheelchairs, bicycles, and carts. Panels are supplied in 1-1/4″ thickness for joist spacing up to 24″ on center.
SpanTrak MiniMesh offers a tighter 1/4″ x 1/4″ aperture for applications where an exceptionally smooth rolling surface is the priority. A good option for high-traffic accessible pathways or where scooters and wheeled equipment are in regular use. Available on special order.
Custom panel sizes and colors are available on special order for either option.
Specifications
For boardwalk decking applications, Archatrak only supplies gratings manufactured with pure isophthalic resins and not lower cost polyester resins which do not offer sufficient long-term durability in harsh exterior conditions.
All our fiberglass grate panels use aluminum hydroxide filler (not calcium carbonate) for maximum fire resistance (flame retardant and smoke suppression) and contain UV stabilizers.
Archatrak MacroMesh
Thickness: 1 1/4″
Primary load bars: 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ on center
Mesh aperture: 1 1/4″ x 1 1/4″
Surface: anti-slip grit embedded in resin
Weight: 3.0 lb/sq.ft.
Archatrak MidiMesh
Thickness: 1 1/4″
Primary load bars: 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ on center
Secondary load bars: single bar between primary bars – 1/2″ deep
Mesh aperture: 1/2″ x 1/2″
Surface: anti-slip grit embedded in resin
Weight: 3.7 lb/sq.ft
Archatrak MiniMesh
Thickness: 1 1/4″
Primary load bars: 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ on center
Secondary load bars: two bars between primary bars – 1/2″ deep
Mesh aperture: 1/4″ x 1/4″
Surface: anti-slip grit embedded in resin
Weight: 4.5 lb/sq.ft.
Installation
Archatrak porcelain cobblestone pavers used as driveway pavers should be laid Archatrak SpanTrak fiberglass grate panels for boardwalk decking applications are normally fixed to support bearers with max. span of 48″ (depending on the thickness of the fiberglass panel and anticipated loadings) using stainless steel M clips inserted in the grating apertures, with a minimum of four clips per panel. L clips are generally not recommended as they don’t have the same strength as M clips.
Where necessary, adjacent panels can be joined at the edges by means of stainless steel C clips.
Since the aperture size of MicroMesh panels is only 1/4″ x 1/4″, these panels are typically fixed to bearers with stainless steel screws or bolts with a 1/2″ diam. (min) head and a 6-lobe (Torx or equiv.) drive. A diamond cone drill with no pilot drill can be used to countersink the screws so the screw heads sit flush with the surface of the panels.
Where panels are installed over steel I or H beams and it may be difficult to drill through the beams, hold down clips with an extended base plate may be used.
Where a change in direction is required on a boardwalk, panels can be cut at an angle, taking care to ensure adjacent panels are cut at the same angle so the load bars match up when panels are joined. See our FRP installation page for further details.ree of charge with paver(s) ofcomparible color and shade as determined by us.
Downloads
Load Deflection Tables
FRP Datasheet
FRP 3-part Guidespec
Spantrak FRP Brochure
MiniMesh CAD
MidiMesh CAD
MacroMesh CAD
Fire Resistance Test Results ASTM-E84
Slip Resistance Test Results ASTM E303-22
SpanTrak FRP Grating Synthetic Turf Support – CAD Drawings
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About FRP Grating for Data Centers and Industrial Applications
Customer SupportYes. FRP grating is widely used throughout data centers for cooling tower platforms, equipment access walkways, service platforms, utility trench covers, and other maintenance access areas. Its corrosion resistance, lightweight construction, slip-resistant surface, and electrically non-conductive properties make it well suited for demanding mechanical and utility environments.
Unlike painted or bonded anti-slip coatings that can wear over time, SpanTrak FRP grating can be manufactured with an integral gritted surface that becomes part of the panel during production. This provides long-lasting slip resistance for maintenance walkways, platforms, and industrial access areas without requiring periodic recoating or replacement of the walking surface.
Yes. SpanTrak FRP grating panels are engineered to support pedestrian traffic and maintenance loads for elevated walkways, service platforms, trench covers, and industrial access systems. Multiple panel thicknesses and mesh configurations are available to meet the structural requirements of different applications.
Unlike steel grating, FRP will not rust or corrode in wet or chemically aggressive environments and requires no painting or protective coatings. It is significantly lighter than steel, electrically non-conductive, easy to fabricate on site, and provides excellent slip resistance, helping reduce installation time and long-term maintenance requirements.
Yes. SpanTrak FRP grating can be installed on adjustable pedestal supports or low-profile rubber support pads to create level maintenance walkways over piping, conduit, ductwork, and other rooftop utilities. This approach maintains airflow, drainage, and access to the systems below while providing a safe, durable walking surface.
