Steel Grating for Drainage Trench Covers
Steel bar grating is the most widely used material for spanning drainage trenches and sumps in industrial, food processing, and civil engineering applications.
Check span capacity for your trench width
Enter bearing bar, pitch, and trench width as clear span to get allowable load.
Specification by Application
| Application | Bearing Bar | Surface Finish | Load Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foot traffic indoor drain | 25×5@30mm plain | Galvanized | A–B |
| Food processing wet areas | 25×5@30mm serrated | SS 304/316 | A–B |
| Loading dock / forklift | 40×5@30mm serrated | Galvanized | C–D |
| Car park surface drain | 30×5@30mm plain | Galvanized | B–C |
| Heavy vehicle / truck | 50×5@22mm serrated | Galvanized | D–E |
| Chemical bund drain | 25×5@30mm plain | SS 316L | A–B |
Frame Systems
Trench grating panels sit in a perimeter frame that is cast into or bolted to the concrete surround. Frame options:
- Angle iron frame (L75×75×8mm) — welded to grating perimeter, frame legs cast into concrete
- U-channel (recessed frame) — flush-to-floor installation; better for wheeled traffic
- Adjustable shim frame — for retrofit into existing trenches of non-standard depth
All frames are supplied in same finish as grating. Lifting keys, padlock tabs, and flush handles are standard options.
Ordering
Provide your trench dimensions (width × length per run), load class, surface finish, and frame system preference. Factories cut panels to your exact trench width. Sets (panels + frames + fixings) or panels only.
Get a Trench Cover QuoteFAQs
What bearing bar orientation should trench grating use?
Bearing bars should run perpendicular to the longer axis of the trench (i.e., across the trench width). This way the bearing bars span the trench and the cross bars run along the trench length, which is the structurally correct and most efficient arrangement.
What is the maximum trench width that can be spanned without intermediate supports?
Depends entirely on the load and bearing bar spec. As a rough guide: 25×5mm @ 30mm (foot traffic, 5 kPa) can span up to ~800mm; 40×5mm @ 30mm can span ~1200mm; 50×5mm @ 22mm can span ~1500mm. Use the load capacity calculator to verify for your specific case.
Should trench covers in food plants be stainless?
For direct food contact areas or areas washed down with hot water and chemicals, SS 304 or SS 316L is specified. For secondary areas (corridors, loading docks), hot-dip galvanized is typically acceptable under most food safety standards.