01 / APPLICATION OVERVIEW
Steel Grating for Oil Storage Facilities and Refineries
Steel grating provides corrosion-resistant walkway surfaces for oil storage facilities and refineries, where drainage, chemical exposure, and safe personnel access shape panel selection.
Typical locations include tank farm access routes, pipe rack walkways, pump and manifold platforms, dyke crossings, sampling areas, and stairways between process units. Grating allows rainwater and washdown water to drain through the walking surface while providing access to valves, instruments, and equipment for inspection and maintenance.
Selection requires assessment of the corrosive environment, product contact, coating system, design loads, support spans, bearing direction, and allowable deflection. Engineers should also consider surface profile, panel retention, facility layout, and any area-specific requirements identified in the plant’s design basis before confirming panel dimensions and materials.
Discuss Your Walkway
02 / APPLICATION SCENARIOS & REQUIREMENTS
Application Scenarios & Project Requirements
Review the operating conditions, users, loads, environment and project requirements before selecting the appropriate steel grating specification.
Tank Farm Access Walkways
Grating walkways connect tank gauging points, sampling hatches, stairways, and valve stations across storage facilities. Panel layout should maintain continuous routes, accommodate tank shell settlement, and address drainage and coating selection for the exposure around each tank.
Pipe Rack and Manifold Platforms
Grating platforms along pipe racks and manifolds provide access for valve operation, instrument checks, and line inspection. Open panels allow drainage over pipe supports, while cut-outs and clearances are coordinated with the approved piping layout.
Pump and Transfer Area Platforms
Platforms around pumps, meters, and transfer equipment support routine inspection and maintenance access. Grating allows washdown water to drain through the surface, and removable sections can provide access to equipment below or beside the walkway.
Dyke Crossings and Containment Routes
Grating walkways and crossings within containment areas provide safe personnel routes across dykes and drainage paths. Coating and material selection should consider standing water, product contact, and the corrosion category identified for each containment zone.
03 / SPECIFICATIONS & PRODUCT OPTIONS
Common Specifications & Available Options
Compare materials, bearing bar sizes, spacing, surface types, finishes and panel dimensions to match the requirements of the application.
Specifications
| Parameter | Specification / Options |
|---|---|
| Material |
Carbon steel is common for general facility areas; stainless steel grades such as 304 and 316, or other project-approved alloys, may be specified where exposure requires higher corrosion resistance. State the required material grade and standard for each area. Selection should follow the facility’s corrosion assessment. |
| Surface treatment |
Hot-dip galvanized after fabrication for suitable carbon steel areas; project-specified painted systems, uncoated stainless steel, or alternative coatings where exposure requires. Confirm chemical contact, product type, temperature, and cleaning agents before selecting the coating for each location. |
| Bearing bar size |
Standard walkway options include 25 × 3, 30 × 3, 30 × 5, 32 × 5, and 40 × 5 mm. Heavier platform sections can include 50 × 5, 50 × 6, and 60 × 6 mm, subject to supplier capability and engineering verification. Bar depth × thickness. Capacity depends on material, clear span, bar spacing, and load distribution. |
| Bearing bar spacing |
Common center-to-center pitches include 30, 34.3, and 40 mm. Closer pitches may be specified where access or small-object retention criteria require. Clear opening equals pitch minus bar thickness and must satisfy the project’s access criteria for each walkway area. |
| Cross bar spacing | Common center-to-center pitches include 50 and 100 mm; supplier series may also use 50.8 or 101.6 mm. Welded or pressure-locked construction should be identified in the specification. |
| Panel dimensions |
Illustrative panel dimensions include 600 × 1,000, 800 × 1,200, 1,000 × 1,000, 1,000 × 1,200, and 1,000 × 3,000 mm, with cut-to-size fabrication from approved facility layouts. State bearing bar length and panel width separately. Panel length does not establish the allowable unsupported span. |
| Walking surface |
Plain or serrated bearing bars. Serrated profiles are commonly considered for exterior routes, washdown areas, and stair treads exposed to rain or product residue. Verify load data for the selected serrated section. Surface profile does not remove the need for regular cleaning of deposits. |
| Stair tread dimensions |
Common fabrication examples include widths of 600, 800, 900, 1,000, and 1,200 mm, with front-to-back depths around 240, 270, or 300 mm. Bolted end plates and defined anti-slip nosings can be supplied. Final tread depth, rise, width, and connections must match the approved stair design and applicable access requirements. |
| Edges and openings |
Banded panel edges, reinforced pipe and equipment cut-outs, and project-specified toe plates. Openings for valves, instruments, and cable routes are dimensioned from approved drawings. Cut bearing bars may require additional support. Opening protection follows the platform safety design. |
| Fixings |
Project-specified grating clamps, retaining plates, or welded connections. M8 and M10 bolts are common fixing options where compatible with the selected clamp and support detail. Fastener material should be compatible with both the grating and supporting steel. Define fixing quantity, location, tightening requirements, and material compatibility for each exposure area. |
| Load and bearing direction |
Bearing bars span between supporting members. Confirm clear span in mm, uniformly distributed load in kN/m², concentrated load in kN, load contact area, and allowable deflection in mm for each area. Check equipment handling, temporary storage, and washdown loading separately. Specify minimum end bearing and support details on the drawings. |
Need a different size? Send your layout for a custom panel review.
Request Your SpecificationThe sizes above are reference examples, not approved combinations for every span. Confirm the bearing direction, loads, clear span and material before ordering. Panel size does not indicate the allowable unsupported span.
WHY USE STEEL GRATING?
Advantages for Steel Grating Applications
Continuous Drainage Through Open Panels
Open grating allows rainwater and washdown water to pass through the walking surface, reducing standing water on tank farm routes and process platforms. Regular cleaning is still required where solids, product residue, or deposits accumulate.
Corrosion Protection for Plant Exposure
Hot-dip galvanized carbon steel, painted systems, and stainless steel options allow each area to match its actual exposure. Material and coating selection should follow the facility’s corrosion assessment rather than a single site-wide finish.
Serrated Surface Availability
Serrated bearing bars provide additional footwear contact on exterior walkways, washdown areas, and stair treads exposed to rain or residue. Their effect on load capacity should be verified for the selected bar section before specification.
Load-Matched Platform Sections
Bearing bar depth, thickness, and spacing can be selected for each area’s span and service loads. Routine access routes and heavier maintenance areas can use different sections appropriate to their duties, confirmed through verified load data.
Removable Access Sections
Individually retained panels provide planned access to valves, instruments, and equipment below walkways. Defined removal points and manageable panel weights support maintenance while allowing damaged sections to be replaced independently.
Fit Around Facility Steelwork
Drawing-based fabrication accommodates pipe supports, tank shells, handrail posts, and equipment penetrations. Coordinated panel joints and reinforced openings help preserve support continuity around congested facility structures.
04 / INSTALLATION & PROJECT PHOTOS
Installation Guidance & Application Photos
Review the panel layout, support conditions, fixing methods and fabrication details before installation, and refer to the application photos for practical examples.
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Verify Supports and Exposure Conditions
Check support locations, clear spans, elevations, and required end bearing against the approved drawings. Confirm design loads and the material or coating selection for each area’s exposure. Apply the facility’s site access and isolation controls before working near operating equipment.
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Place Panels in the Approved Direction
Match panel identification to the walkway layout and orient bearing bars across the designated supports. Check joints, stair transitions, clearances around handrails and toe plates, and cut-out reinforcement. Obtain design approval before cutting bearing bars or changing support positions.
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Secure Panels With Compatible Fixings
Install the specified clamps, retaining plates, or welds at the approved locations. Use fasteners compatible with both the grating material and supporting steel to limit galvanic corrosion in exposed areas. Apply the required tightening procedure and any specified retention details.
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Inspect and Establish Routine Maintenance
Check for rocking panels, unsupported edges, loose or corroded fixings, sharp projections, and blocked drainage. Repair coating damage using the project-approved method. Include panels, fixings, and surface condition in routine inspections, particularly where washdown or chemical contact is frequent.
05 / RELATED REFERENCE & FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is steel grating commonly used in oil storage facilities and refineries?
Grating provides a rigid walking surface that drains rainwater and washdown water, gives access to valves and instruments, and can be fabricated around pipes and equipment. Material and coating options allow panels to match the corrosion exposure of each area, from general tank farm routes to more aggressive process locations.
Should carbon steel or stainless steel grating be used?
The choice depends on the exposure at each location, including chemical contact, temperature, cleaning agents, and the facility’s corrosion allowance. Hot-dip galvanized carbon steel serves many general walkway areas, while stainless steel grades such as 304 and 316, or other approved alloys, may be required near aggressive process zones. Selection should be assessed area by area rather than applied uniformly.
Which surface profile suits refinery walkways?
Serrated grating is commonly considered where rain, washdown water, or residue affects footing, especially on exterior routes and stair treads. Plain grating may suit controlled areas after assessment. Neither surface prevents slipping when films or deposits remain, so surface selection should be combined with regular cleaning and verified load data for the chosen profile.
What loads should facility walkway grating be designed for?
Design loads should cover personnel, tools, and any concentrated maintenance loads, along with equipment handling or temporary storage where they occur. Each area needs a defined uniform load, concentrated load, contact area, clear span, and deflection limit. Heavier duties require separate verification rather than selection from standard bar dimensions alone.
How should grating be protected against corrosion in these facilities?
Protection starts with correct material selection for each exposure area. Hot-dip galvanizing suits many general outdoor and humid locations, but product contact or aggressive chemicals may require stainless steel or a project-specified coating system. Fasteners should be compatible with both the grating and supporting steel. Provide the exposure details so the appropriate finish can be specified.
What information is needed for a walkway grating quotation?
Provide the walkway layout, quantities, bearing direction, support spans, design loads, material grade, bar sizes and spacing, surface profile, and coating requirements. Include equipment cut-outs, stair treads, toe plates, fixing details, and removable sections. Identify chemical exposure, washdown frequency, and any heavy load areas so these conditions can be addressed before fabrication.
06 / PROJECT ENQUIRY
Tell Us About Your Walkway
Share your layout and operating requirements so our team can review the grating, fabrication and supply scope.
Send Drawings by Email Discuss on WhatsAppThe email button opens your mail app. Attach your drawings before sending.
Include these details
- Application location and exposure conditions
- Drawings, panel dimensions and quantities
- Support layout, clear span and design loads
- Material, finish and walking-surface requirements
- Cut-outs, fixings and removable access sections
- Destination, required delivery date and project standards
Already have a specification? Send it with your enquiry.