An important issue that should be focused on in any environment is the cleanliness of flooring surfaces. Keeping slip resistant plates clean is an essential aspect of a safe work place. Through the years, plates will accumulate a buildup of grime, particularly in the valleys. The peak to valley profile of your slip resistant plates should be monitored, so that the grime is kept to a minimum.

The most effective way of cleaning the plates is by power washing; this method removes accumulated grime and debris buildup. Another option would be to take a stiff bristle brush to the plates; this also is generally effective in removing debris.

Though messes, grime, and build up happen. It is essential for the safety of your workplace and the longevity of your surfaces to keep them clean. Simple, proper maintenance, such as the cleaning techniques described above will keep your surfaces in great shape for many years to come.

We have many customers asking us for the galvanization specifications for Steel Plate and Grating. It has been established that ten minutes would be the maximum amount of time that steel plates should be submerged in acid during the pickling process. There are many reasons we’ve established this time frame.

Faster pickling reduces the amount of time the surface/plate interface is in contact with the acid. It cuts down on the possibility of “Hot Spots” developing. Hot Spots develop within pickling tanks as the plates react with the acid.  When this occurs, plates in the center of the rack experience a higher temperature than the plates on the outer sides.  We have seen instances where the outer plates will galvanize beautifully while the inner plates experience surface degradation.

It is essential that acid not be allowed to destroy the interfaces, and plates should be rinsed as soon as possible to remove any residual acid from the surface. Your plates should have the least amount of acid exposure as possible. Extended acid exposure can result in damage to your steel plates.

There are important factors to consider for those working with ADA ramps. When using an aluminum plate as the substrate, there are different surface options to evaluate before making a final decision.

One surface option would be Aluminum. The aluminum, being a softer alloy, is more suited to lighter duty applications. Another option would be a Stainless Steel surface. Stainless Steel will offer greater durability and longevity. The Stainless Steel surface will have a surface hardness of over 60 on the Rockwell “C” Scale and bond at over 4000 psi.