Planking: A SlipNOT® Alternative to Aluminum Bar Grating
SlipNOT® aluminum punched plank is an excellent alternative to smooth bar aluminum grating for applications that need to be ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant. SlipNOT® aluminum punched plank meets the standards set by the ADA for wheelchair accessibility and high heel traffic. The SlipNOT® punched plank provides a high coefficient of friction, excellent structural strength, is light weight and less expensive than ADA compliant smooth bar aluminum grating (7-4 spacing). The diagonal punched pattern still allows light and liquids to drain through, like aluminum smooth bar grating. SlipNOT® also offers unpunched plank for those applications where a solid decking is required. Whether punched or unpunched, SlipNOT® planking is low maintenance. This is a superior alternative to smooth bar aluminum grating with plate on top, and is more cost efficient.
In the example below, a commercial building required an ADA compliant entryway added to the back of their facility. We recommended using a SlipNOT® punched plank assembly for the stairway/landing and SlipNOT® aluminum plate for the wheel-chair lift.
SlipNOT® aluminum planking is available in widths from 6” to 36” and lengths up to 20’ or 24’. Plank products can vary in thickness from 1” to 2 ½” and have a variety of punched and unpunched patterns. Aluminum plank can have aluminum, stainless steel or steel SlipNOT® surfaces applied depending upon project criteria. SlipNOT® aluminum punched plank is available in multiple patterns, such as square punched, diagonal punched and rectangular punched.
It’s terrifying to think that a simple slip or fall could cause so much long term damage. All it takes is one bad fall and the rest of your life is dramatically changed!
If you plan on staying open during the expansion process, companies have to be aware of the new dangers that can pose for employees. Whatever safety measures need to be installed are worth it! You don’t want to risk your employees safety during renovation and expansion.