Galvanized Iron Gratings (GI Gratings)
Galvanized iron gratings are load bearing steel panels, hot dip galvanized after fabrication so the coating covers every cut edge and weld. The open grid drains water, passes light and air, and carries foot or vehicle traffic. Seen Steel supplies GI gratings across all seven emirates, cut to your panel sizes and delivered to your yard.
Bearing bar sizes and pitch
The bearing bar is the load carrying bar that runs in the span direction. Pitch is the centre to centre spacing between bearing bars. Together they decide how much load the panel carries and how much it weighs.
| Bearing bar (depth x thickness) | Common pitch | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 20 x 3 mm | 30 / 40 mm | Light duty walkways, covers |
| 25 x 3 mm | 30 / 40 mm | Platforms, light foot traffic |
| 25 x 5 mm | 30 / 40 mm | General industrial flooring |
| 32 x 3 mm | 30 / 40 mm | Walkways with longer spans |
| 32 x 5 mm | 30 / 40 mm | Plant flooring, trench covers |
| 40 x 3 mm | 30 / 40 mm | Platforms, moderate spans |
| 40 x 5 mm | 30 / 40 mm | Heavy foot traffic, light vehicles |
| 45 x 5 mm | 30 / 40 mm | Heavy duty flooring |
| 50 x 5 mm | 30 / 40 mm | Vehicle access, long spans |
| 55 x 5 mm | 30 / 40 mm | Heavy vehicle loading |
| 60 x 5 mm | 30 / 40 mm | Heaviest duty, longest spans |
Cross bars are normally 6 mm twisted square bar at 100 mm centres. 50 mm centres are used where a more rigid panel or a smaller open area is wanted.
Nominal weight per square metre
Figures below are calculated from bar geometry at 7.85 g/cm³, with 6 mm twisted square cross bars at 100 mm centres. They are bare steel weights. Hot dip galvanizing adds roughly 3 to 5 per cent, and banding bars or frames add more, so treat these as estimating figures and confirm the final weight against the fabrication drawing.
| Bearing bar | Pitch 30 mm (kg/m²) | Pitch 40 mm (kg/m²) |
|---|---|---|
| 25 x 3 mm | 22.5 | 17.5 |
| 25 x 5 mm | 35.5 | 27.4 |
| 32 x 3 mm | 27.9 | 21.7 |
| 32 x 5 mm | 44.7 | 34.2 |
| 40 x 3 mm | 34.2 | 26.4 |
| 40 x 5 mm | 55.2 | 42.1 |
| 50 x 5 mm | 68.2 | 51.9 |
| 60 x 5 mm | 81.3 | 61.7 |
Panel sizes
A common reference panel under BS 4592 is 1220 x 850 mm, in 25 mm and 40 mm depths. In practice most UAE jobs are cut to size. Send your opening dimensions and we cut and band the panels to suit, including cut outs for pipes, columns and handrail posts.
Galvanizing
Panels are hot dip galvanized to EN ISO 1461 after fabrication, so cut ends, welds and the inside faces of the grid are all coated. This matters in the UAE: coastal humidity and salt spray attack painted or pre galvanized edges first, and a post fabrication dip removes that weak point.
Plain or serrated
Plain bar is the standard and suits most dry internal platforms. Serrated bar has a notched top edge that gives grip underfoot and is the right choice for external walkways, wash down areas, oil and gas plant, and anywhere the surface sees water, grease or fine sand.
Steel grade
Bearing bars are normally supplied in mild steel to ASTM A36, BS 4360 Grade 43A or equivalent, with yield around 265 to 300 N/mm² and tensile 400 to 460 N/mm². Mill test certificates are issued with the material.
A note on load capacity
Safe load depends on the clear span, the support condition at each end, and whether the load is uniform or a point load, so a single number for a bar size is meaningless on its own. Tell us the clear span and the load you need to carry and we will confirm the bar size and pitch that meets it rather than guessing from a catalogue.
Common applications
- Industrial flooring, plant platforms and mezzanines
- Drainage covers and trench grates
- Stair treads, with nosing where specified
- Oil and gas facilities and process plant
- Marine, jetty and offshore structures
- Substation and generator enclosure flooring
What to send for a quote
The more of this you include, the fewer rounds of questions before you get a rate:
- Bearing bar size and pitch, or the clear span and load if you would rather we size it
- Panel sizes, or the opening dimensions to cut to
- Plain or serrated
- Total area in square metres, or number of panels
- Whether you need banding bars, frames, cut outs or stair nosings
- Delivery location
Frequently asked questions
Can you cut gratings to size?
Yes. Send the opening dimensions and we supply cut and banded panels, including cut outs.
What is the difference between GI grating and MS grating?
They are the same mild steel panel. GI simply means it has been hot dip galvanized. Bare MS grating will show rust within weeks in UAE humidity, so galvanized is the normal specification for anything outdoors.
Do you supply mill test certificates?
Yes, MTCs are issued with the material.
How long does delivery take?
Standard bar sizes move quickly. Cut to size panels depend on the fabrication queue. We confirm a date in writing with the quotation rather than after the order.
Which emirates do you deliver to?
All seven. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, delivered to your yard.
Send your grating requirement on WhatsApp at +971 56 227 5722 or email seensteelfze@gmail.com and we will come back with a rate.