Grating clips are essential components for securing gratings to their support structures, ensuring stability and safety in various industrial applications. This article explores what grating clips are, and some common types in the industry such as saddle, F, G, and Z clips.
What are Grating Clips
Understanding gratings first is imperative in understanding what grating clips are. A grating is a framework or mesh with a grid-like structure, made from materials such as metals, plastic, or fiberglass. It covers openings and serves as a durable surface for human and vehicle traffic. However, it still allows for the passage of light, air, and water.
Grating applications include:
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- Stairs, platforms, and scaffolding
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- Flooring in industrial and commercial buildings
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- Bridges and bridge decks
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- Trench covers and walkways.
The installation of gratings could be done by a variety of methods such as welding, bolting, and clipping (grating clips).
Grating clips are unique fastening and anchoring devices that secure grating panels to support structures either temporarily or permanently. These clips provide a way to attach gratings without the need to weld or drill through materials. Thus, making it easier to install, remove, and re-position steel bar gratings.
Common Types of Grating Clips in Industry
Grating clips come in various types to accommodate different grating systems, load conditions, installation methods, and environmental factors. The type and design of grating clips for a project would depend on the specific application, the type of grating in use, and the support structure. The following sections highlight the most common types of grating clips in the industry.
Saddle Clips
Saddle clips are the most common type of grating clips, widely recognized for their simple design, ease of installation, and also cost-effectiveness. These bent clips bridge two bearing bars and securely attach the grating to the supporting structure. Their versatility makes them suitable for a wide range of steel bar gratings, including welded, press-locked, swaged, and riveted types. Saddle clips are compatible with both serrated and non-serrated bearing bar surfaces and can accommodate various bar centers.
Installation is straightforward. Saddle clips are typically bridged across two bearing bars and fastened using bolts, nuts, and washers when a pre-drilled hole exists in the supporting steelwork flange. Alternatively, self-drilling or TEK screws can serve when no pre-drilled hole is available. They work seamlessly with a variety of bottom clamps, thus, further enhancing their adaptability.
Saddle clips are available in multiple thicknesses or heights, including common sizes such as 1″, 1-1/4″, 1-1/2″, 1-3/4″, and 2″. For optimal performance, approximately four saddle clips are ideal per square meter of grating. Their benefits include cost efficiency, quick installation, as well as versatility. In addition, they preserve the integrity of the galvanized coating on gratings, ensuring long-term durability.
However, saddle clips are not suitable for heavy-duty applications, which may require alternative fastening methods that can handle higher loads.
W-Clips
W grating clips, or washer clips, have a design that enables them secure plates or grating that have a plate on top. You will commonly find these clips in applications where heavy loads, compact installations, and repetitive traffic from carts and vehicles are present.
Generally, robust materials such as stainless steel serve in the construction of these clips, so that they offer durability and corrosion resistance. W-clips typically come in various sizes, including 1”, 1-1/2”, and 2” configurations, to suit different installations.
To install W-clips, secure the clip to the support below with a hook, then attach the grating to the top of the clip. This method ensures a strong hold while allowing you to remove and reposition the panel if necessary. The design of W-clips benefits environments where drilling or welding may pose challenges, thereby enhancing safety and efficiency during the grating assembly process.
I-Clips
I-clips, or installation clips, play a critical role in securing steel grating panels to supporting structures. With their construction usually from materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, or galvanized steel, I-clips are flexible enough to accommodate various environmental conditions.
The primary function of I-clips is to replace traditional welding techniques, offering a removable solution for grating panels. This feature becomes especially beneficial during maintenance or relocation, providing a significant advantage over more permanent fastening solutions.
To install I-clips, you generally need at least four clips per panel. However, best practices recommend additional clips for larger or heavier loads, ensuring stability. Proper positioning is crucial during installation, and you may need to snip cross bars to facilitate optimal clip placement. I-clips enhance user convenience by allowing easy access to areas beneath the grating without requiring extensive dismantling or causing damage.
J-Clips for Grating
J-clips are mechanical fasteners designed to secure metal gratings to supporting structures. Their distinctive “J” shape allows one end to hook securely onto the grating while the other end fastens to the supporting structure. The long part of the clip extends over the load-bearing bar, while the bottom rests on the support structure. This design minimizes the displacement of grating, thus, making J-clips ideal for use in areas with limited spacing. Various types of J-clips are available, including standard J-clips for grating, heavy-duty J-clips, custom J-clips, and also FRP-compatible J-clips. With each type catering to different applications and requirements.
F-Clips for Grating
F-clips derive their name from their “F” shape and are commonly made of stainless steel. These clips are ideal for fiberglass and pultruded gratings, featuring overhanging “ears” that fit snugly on the outer edges of adjacent bearing bars. This unique design prevents the bars from spreading, ensuring structural stability. F-clips are compatible with bar depths ranging from 1 inch to 6 inches, providing flexibility for various applications. Among the available options, the F-10 clip stands out as one of the most versatile choices, often specified for use with 19-spacing grating.
Z-Clips
Z-clips excel in applications using riveted grating and other products where wider saddle-type clips cannot serve. These clips provide a snug fit over grating bars, securely anchoring them to the supporting structure. Z-clips are popular for their versatility, thanks to their smaller size, which allows them to serve in a broader range of applications in comparison to G-clips. They are available in several variations, including standard Z-clips, heavy-duty Z-clips, adjustable Z-clips, and Z-hold-down clips. Unlike G-clips, which come in different sizes to match various grating heights, Z-clips are a one-size-fits-all solution. Thus, making them convenient for diverse needs.
Grating Clips from ITD Precision
No matter what your grating clip needs are, you are covered at ITD Precision. Through years of research and practical experience, ITD Precision has developed a line of cost-effective grating clips that meet the stringent demands of the industrial market. Our grating clips are designed with durability and reliability in mind, ensuring long-term performance even in the most challenging environments. Contact us today for more details.
