According to the United States Access Board’s Accessible Rights-of-Way, “Metal gratings are of a particular concern to pedestrians who use walking aids.  When wet, the grids can be extremely slippery, and the elongated openings can become a sliding track for the tip of a crutch or cane.  Slip resistant finishes or nonmetallic materials are available at additional cost for installations where the location or extent of exposed gratings may post a problem for pedestrians.”  Slip resistant sidewalk grating is recommended not only to provide a safe walking surface for pedestrians, but also to provide drainage when the surface comes in contact with slippery elements such as ice, rain and snow.

One thing that needs to be considered is the size of the spacing for the sidewalk grating.  According to the Grating system provided by the US Patent Office, “The spacing between each adjacent pair of bearing bars 106 ranges from 15/16” to 3”, although this spacing may vary.  Said spacing can vary depending on the environment, but can be made suitably small enough, for example, to accommodate the spikes of high heel shoes, especially in places like city streets and sidewalks where the use of such high heel spikes is fairly common.”  Specific styles of sidewalk grating must be considered based on the environment it is to be installed in.  Sidewalk grating cross bar and bearing bar spacing must be sized appropriately to avoid a hazard and should be provided with a slip resistant finish to eliminate liability after slip and fall accidents.  The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) considers sidewalk grating that has a cross bar spacing of 7/16” and 11/16” to be appropriate for areas that receive foot traffic.  In areas that do not receive foot traffic, sidewalk grating with a larger cross bar spacing is adequate. 

Not only should municipalities ensure that the correct style and spacing of grating is used within sidewalks, they should go the extra step to make sure that the sidewalk grating is slip resistant.  This small step towards safety will help eliminate any large slip and fall problems they may face in the future.  

Patent Storm.  “US Patent 7121759 – Grating system.”   http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/7121759/description.html

U.S. Access Board.  “Accessible Rights-of-Way: A Design Guide.”  http://www.access-board.gov/prowac/guide/PROWGuide.htm#3_2_4_1

Filed under: Sidewalk Grating by Beth Faraci Social tagging: non slip sidewalk grating > sidewalk grating > slip resistant sidewalk grating