Many slip resistant products such as floor plate, stair treads, and grating, need to go through a galvanization process in order to be corrosion resistant against weather elements. Listed below are some basic questions you should ask before specifying galvanization.
Review this checklist the next time you want to specify galvanized steel flooring for your facility:
- What is the expectation for the coating appearance?
- Some applications have different outcomes: matte gray, bright/shiny, or spangled.
- Does it matter, or is corrosion protection the primary concern?
- Will the thickness of the steel be appropriate for the project?
- Example: A coating grade of 100 is required for a ¼” thick piece of wide-flange beam.
- There is no maximum requirement for thickness.
- Are there necessary vent and drain holes?
- It is important to properly vent hollow, overlapped, and contacting surfaces to prevent trapped moisture or gas from flashing to steam in the galvanizing process, resulting in uncoated surfaces.
- Vent and drain holes allow for cleaning solutions and zinc to freely flow on both the interior and exterior surfaces.
- Vent holes should be placed near the ends to allow zinc to penetrate the interior.
- Drain holes allow the excess to be removed from the interior when withdrawing from the galvanizing kettle.
- Has the intended use been communicated with the fabricator and galvanizer?
- The unique elements of a project should be reviewed to ensure proper specification, it is important to review all guidelines.
- Some uses may require post-galvanizing procedures.
- Is the specification in compliance with ASTM A123?
- ASTM A123 requires a minimum average coating thickness based on the material type and thickness.
- Requires the coating finish to be continuous, reasonably smooth, and uniform, as galvanizing is generally specified for corrosion protection and not its silver-gray appearance.
- SLIPNOT provides all galvanized steel products in accordance with ASTM A123.
Hot-dipped galvanized steel lasts longer today than it did 20 years ago. Due to environmental laws, our air is cleaner and less contaminated with corrosive emissions. When researching non-slip galvanized steel you may consider SLIPNOT’s metal safety products.
American Galvanizers Association. Specifying and Detailing for Hot-Dip Galvanizing.