Why Use FRP for DISABILITY ramps

 FRP (Fibre Reinforced Plastic) material consists of thermosetting resins and fiberglass rovings. The combination of resin and glass fibres, makes the main ingredient of the FRP grating that  LMX Disability Builders  uses in our ramp tops. 

The resin brings the environmental and chemical resistance to the product and is the binder for the glass fibres to lock into, very similar to fixing a fibreglass patch on a boat. Based on the chemical and environmental requirements (determined by the client) a resin type is selected. In general,  LMX Disability Builders  in conjunction with Composite Engineering, uses an FRP product with three laminates:

• Corrosion      barrier: chemical resistance and temperature resistance
• Structural      laminate: temperature resistance
• Topcoat:      environmental and temperature resistance

Once we finish the frame including concreting the posts (note. LMX Disability Builders always dome tops our concrete posts so water cannot seep in) we then install the FRP and lock it down. 

We know our ramps are square because the FRP sheets are perfectly Square. 

All screws used are galvanised steel or stainless steel if building by the ocean.

We use a mini mesh with an opening of 8mm, this allows for all types of shoes and heals to be used.

Most FRP is manufactured the same way, either it is hand laid in a mold or it is pulltruded through a die to make a shape. In the LMX Disability ramp grating the rovings  (fibreglass strands of 5mm thickness) are laid into the mold and the selected resin is poured over the top after each strand run is completed. This process is repeated until the desired thickness is achieved.

The most important part is the quality of the resin and the quality of the glass fibres (rovings). 

The better the quality these materials are the better the final ramp is. 

There is no other company that is using FRP grating to enhance the appearance and augment the safety of ramps in Australia. After extensive testing with Composite Engineering we have perfected the perfect mix between timber and FRP grating.

You can judge this for yourself, beautiful, unique, slip resistant, longevity 100 times longer than timber. 

We love using timber in ramps, but just sometimes its better to go with a modern alternative material, especially for commercial disability ramps where slip resistance is paramount.

A disability Ramp where Functionality meets Form where both come together in a cohesive and non obtrusive manner.

Its a love/hate relationship, some love the look some hate the look all recognize the how good it is and slip resistant it is.