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Documenation - Guardrail Systems

FiberrGuard™ FRP Guardrail Systems

Modular, corrosion-resistant fiberglass guardrail systems for industrial and infrastructure applications

Technical Overview

FiberrGuard FRP guardrail systems are manufactured from fiberglass-reinforced plastic composites for industrial, infrastructure, marine, utility, wastewater, and corrosive environments.

The system combines pultruded structural profiles with molded connection components to provide long service life, high strength-to-weight performance, electrical non-conductivity, and minimal maintenance.

Pigments are integrated into the resin during manufacturing, producing self-colored profiles that do not require routine painting or coating for corrosion protection.

Yellow FiberrGuard FRP guardrail system installed along industrial stairs

Typical Applications

FiberrGuard systems are commonly used where corrosion resistance, electrical insulation, environmental durability, and reduced maintenance are required. Compared with conventional metal systems, FRP does not rust and does not depend on periodic repainting for corrosion protection.

Industrial Platforms and Walkways Durable fall protection for areas exposed to moisture, chemicals, weather, and frequent use.
Wastewater Treatment Facilities Suitable for continuously wet and corrosive environments where conventional steel systems may deteriorate rapidly.
Chemical Processing Plants Resists chemical exposure and corrosive vapors while reducing coating and maintenance requirements.
Cooling Towers Appropriate for high-moisture and UV-exposed environments where corrosion resistance and electrical insulation are advantageous.
Power Generation Facilities Used where nonconductivity and corrosion resistance support worker safety and long-term reliability.
Marine and Coastal Environments Withstands salt air, humidity, and moisture without rusting or flaking protective coatings.
Mezzanines, Stairs and Access Ways Lightweight components simplify handling and installation for indoor and outdoor elevated work areas.
Oil, Gas and Process Facilities Provides modular fall protection for platforms and access structures exposed to weather and aggressive industrial conditions.
Yellow FRP guardrail installed at an offshore oil and gas facility
FRP guardrail systems are suited to coastal, offshore, chemical, and process-industry environments.
Yellow FiberrGuard FRP guardrail system installed beside railroad tracks
FiberrGuard provides nonconductive, corrosion-resistant fall protection for rail, utility, transportation, and other infrastructure environments.

Advantages

FiberrGuard combines corrosion resistance, electrical safety, lightweight construction, and long-term durability for demanding industrial and infrastructure environments.

Feature Description
Corrosion Resistance Resistant to chemicals, moisture, salt air, and harsh industrial environments.
Nonconductive Electrically insulating composite material suitable for applications where metallic conductivity is undesirable.
Lightweight Reduced structural dead load, shipping weight, and handling requirements compared with steel systems.
High Strength Structural fiberglass reinforcement provides high strength and stiffness relative to component weight.
Low Maintenance No rusting, flaking, or routine repainting for corrosion protection.
UV Resistance UV-resistant formulations are available to support exterior color and material performance.
Fire-Performance Options Fire-retardant resin systems intended for ASTM E84 Class A or Class C configurations are available.
Ease of Installation Modular, lightweight components can be cut, drilled, fitted, and installed using common fabrication and installation equipment.

Guardrail System Components

FiberrGuard systems are assembled from modular pultruded profiles and molded connection components designed for consistent fit and efficient installation. Component selection depends on the railing layout, mounting method, stair geometry, kick-plate requirements, and project specifications.

Component Image Metric Dimensions Imperial Dimensions Weight
2 in Round Pipe Yellow two-inch pultruded FRP round tube 50 mm outside diameter
4 mm wall thickness
2 in outside diameter
0.16 in wall thickness
1.07 lb/ft
2 in Round 90° Bend Connector Yellow molded FRP 90-degree round tube connector For 50 mm round-section pipe For 2 in round-section pipe 0.44 lb/piece
2 in Round 3-Way Connector Yellow molded FRP three-way round tube connector For 50 mm round-section pipe For 2 in round-section pipe 0.25 lb/piece
2 in Round Universal Connector Yellow adjustable universal FRP guardrail connector For 50 mm round-section pipe For 2 in round-section pipe 0.39 lb/piece
2 in Round 4-Way Connector Yellow molded FRP four-way round tube connector For 50 mm round-section pipe For 2 in round-section pipe 0.38 lb/piece
2 in Round Stanchion Base Plate Yellow molded FRP round stanchion base plate For 50 mm round-section pipe For 2 in round-section pipe 0.94 lb/piece
4 in Kick Plate Yellow four-inch FRP kick plate profile 100 mm high
3 mm thick
4 in high
0.12 in thick
0.42 lb/ft
6 in Kick Plate Yellow six-inch FRP kick plate profile 150 mm high
3 mm thick
6 in high
0.12 in thick
0.68 lb/ft

Technical Data

The following data summarizes the representative properties of the fiberglass reinforcement, resin matrix, and finished pultruded FRP profiles used in the guardrail system.

Glass Fiber Roving Technical Data

Property Imperial Units Metric Units
Hardness, Barcol 45
Tensile Strength 283–319 ksi 1,950–2,200 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity 8.7–10.9 Msi 60–75 GPa
Flexural Strength 27.6 ksi 190 MPa
Density 0.094 lb/in³ 2.6 g/cm³
Maximum Operating Temperature 392°F 200°C

Resin Technical Data

Property Imperial Units Metric Units
Hardness, Barcol 70–80
Tensile Strength 8.7–10.2 ksi 60–70 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity 0.58–0.73 Msi 4–5 GPa
Flexural Strength 18.9–21.8 ksi 130–150 MPa
Density 0.041 lb/in³ 1.12 g/cm³
Maximum Operating Temperature 284°F 140°C
Water Absorption 0.1%

FRP Profile Mechanical Properties

Test Standard Imperial Units Metric Units
Tensile Stress LW ASTM D638 63.3 ksi 436.2 MPa
Tensile Modulus LW ASTM D638 4.06 Msi 28 GPa
Tensile Stress CW ASTM D638 8.0 ksi 55 MPa
Tensile Modulus CW ASTM D638 1.23 Msi 8.5 GPa
Flexural Stress LW ASTM D790 55.1 ksi 380 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity LW ASTM D790 3.48 Msi 24 GPa
Flexural Stress CW ASTM D790 15.2 ksi 105 MPa
Modulus of Elasticity CW ASTM D790 1.31 Msi 9 GPa
Compressive Stress LW ASTM D695 55.1 ksi 380 MPa
Compressive Modulus LW ASTM D695 3.89 Msi 26.8 GPa
Compressive Stress CW ASTM D695 17.4 ksi 120 MPa
Compressive Modulus CW ASTM D695 1.09 Msi 7.5 GPa
Bearing Stress LW ASTM D953 31.9 ksi 220 MPa
Bearing Stress CW ASTM D953 30.5 ksi 210 MPa
Notched Izod Impact LW ASTM D256 1.25 ft-lb/in 1.48 m·kg/cm
Notched Izod Impact CW ASTM D256 0.36 ft-lb/in 0.43 m·kg/cm
Shear Modulus TS EN ISO 13706 0.45 Msi 3.1 GPa
Poisson’s Ratio ASTM D3039 0.33
Short-Beam Shear ASTM D2344 6.5 ksi 45 MPa
24-Hour Water Absorption ASTM D570 0.37%
Density ASTM D792 0.067 lb/in³ 1.85 g/cm³
Directional terminology: LW identifies properties measured in the longitudinal or pultrusion direction. CW identifies properties measured across the profile, perpendicular to the pultrusion direction.

OSHA Guardrail Requirements

The following overview summarizes principal OSHA dimensional and load criteria relevant to industrial platforms, walkways, mezzanines, stairs, and elevated work areas under 29 CFR 1910.28 and 1910.29.

Guardrail Height Top rails are generally positioned 42 in above the walking or working surface, plus or minus 3 in.
Top-Rail Load The top rail must withstand a concentrated load of at least 200 lb applied in an outward or downward direction.
Intermediate Members Midrails and comparable intermediate members must resist a concentrated load of at least 150 lb applied in any downward or outward direction.
Midrails and Opening Control Midrails are positioned approximately halfway between the top rail and walking surface. Openings are controlled to prevent passage of a 19-inch-diameter sphere.
Toe Boards and Kick Plates Where falling-object protection is required, toe boards must extend at least 3.5 in above the walking surface.
Material Acceptance OSHA does not prescribe a specific guardrail material. FRP can be used when the completed system satisfies applicable dimensional, strength, surface, and installation requirements.
Diagram showing representative FRP guardrail and stair-rail dimensions
Representative platform and stair guardrail layout. Project dimensions must be confirmed against the applicable OSHA rules, building codes, drawings, and site requirements.
Compliance note: FiberrGuard systems are intended to satisfy applicable dimensional and load requirements when properly designed, configured, anchored, installed, inspected, and maintained. Final compliance with OSHA requirements, local building codes, engineering documents, and project specifications remains the responsibility of the system designer, installer, contractor, and site owner.
General guidance only: Dimensions, weights, mechanical properties, resin formulations, reinforcement configurations, colors, fire-retardant performance, UV protection, hardware, anchors, spacing, and system capacity may vary by product configuration and project requirements. Component-level material values are not complete guardrail system design capacities. Post spacing, base-plate anchorage, substrate strength, connection detailing, stair geometry, field fabrication, environmental exposure, and applied loads must be evaluated for the specific installation.

Contact Fiberr USA

sales@fiberrusa.com
+1 (954) 328-2218

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