FRP components commonly arrive on site as finished parts — grating panels, pultruded beams, handrail sections, and bolting kits. Site work typically involves handling, cutting to fit where necessary, and mechanical assembly with fasteners. The installation practices described in this guide reflect methods commonly applied across industrial FRP installations, and are intended to support dimensional accuracy and structural performance of assembled FRP systems. This guide identifies the installation considerations relevant to FRP structural assembly in industrial environments.
Handling and Storage
FRP grating panels and pultruded profiles may be handled manually depending on component dimensions and weight. A typical 1 m × 3 m molded grating panel and a 6 m pultruded I‑beam each weigh within a range that commonly permits two‑person handling. Panels are generally lifted rather than dragged to reduce surface abrasion. For longer pultruded sections, lift points are commonly positioned to limit bending during handling.
On‑site storage is commonly arranged on level supports, with support intervals appropriate to the component type and length. Stacking heights can be limited to avoid surface marking of lower panels. Pultruded sections stored outdoors may be covered to reduce prolonged UV exposure, though surface color changes from UV are generally cosmetic and do not indicate a change in structural properties.
Cutting and Drilling
The glass fiber content of FRP is abrasive to standard steel cutting tools. Carbide‑grit and diamond‑grit blades are commonly selected for cutting FRP, with the specific blade type chosen according to the required edge quality. For straight cuts on grating panels, a circular saw with an appropriate blade may be used. For irregular cuts, a jigsaw with a suitable blade can be employed, though blade life is limited by the abrasive nature of the material.
Drilling holes for fastener installation is commonly performed with appropriate drill bits at speeds suited to the material and hole diameter. A backing material under the workpiece can reduce breakout on the exit side of the hole. For holes above a certain diameter, a hole saw may be used. Cut edges and drilled holes can be sealed with a compatible resin if the component will be in continuous wet or chemical service — this seals the exposed fibers and may reduce moisture ingress.
Fastening: Clips and Bolting
FRP grating panels are commonly secured to their support structure using mechanical clips that clamp the panel to the support beam. Clip spacing is typically determined according to manufacturer recommendations, panel dimensions, and support beam layout. In areas subject to uplift forces, closer clip spacing may be specified. The tightening torque for clip bolts is commonly selected to secure the panel without over‑compressing the FRP material around the bolt hole.
For structural connections — beam‑to‑beam, beam‑to‑column, and bracing — bolted connections with compatible fastener materials are commonly used. FRP flat washers may be placed under the bolt head and nut to distribute bearing stress. Edge distances from bolt hole centers to member edges are typically determined according to the connection design requirements, taking into account the bearing strength characteristics of the FRP material. Connections that may experience load reversal can be evaluated for slip‑critical behavior according to the applicable structural design standard.
For grating clips, bolting kits, and handrail fittings used in typical installations, refer to the Accessories & Hardware page.