Pedestrian-Safe Grates

Safe, Accessible Grates for Public and Commercial Pedestrian Precincts

Description

SVC Pedestrian-Safe Grates (also called heelguard or heelsafe grates) are an essential drainage solution designed for use in public spaces open to high volumes of pedestrian traffic. Different to standard forgebar or weaved grating, our Pedestrian-Safe Grates feature a reduced aperture steel mesh surface above a robust forgebar design, reducing the OHS and liability risks of shoe heels becoming stuck or items falling through the grate.

Our Pedestrian-Safe Grates are load-rated in compliance with Australian Standards. Their simple, effective design makes them easy to incorporate into a multitude of applications including council footpaths, outdoor entertaining precincts, public parks, plazas and commercial landscapes.

SVC Pedestrian-Safe Grates provide an efficient inlet for water capture without compromising the safety of pedestrians, wheelchair users, or those with prams, ensuring a reliable, responsible solution for stormwater drainage.

Features & Benefits

  • Raw pedestrian-safe grates are maintained in stock; encased versions may incur a short production lead time
  • Compliant with the design requirements of AS 3996:2019 in Load Classes A, B and D
  • Fulfils the wheelchair access requirements specified in AS 1428.1:2013

Material Specifications

  • Grate and frame made from high-strength galvanised steel
  • Forgebar grating pattern covered with a surface mesh that reduces the grate opening sizes
  • Design life: 50 years

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Operating since 1948, SVC Products is a well-respected local manufacturer and supplier of high quality products to the civil construction industry. Contact our friendly team to discuss your next project.

Frequently Asked Questions

What load rating do I need for a public footpath?

For areas with only pedestrian traffic, a Class A or Class B load-rated grate under AS 3996:2019 is required.

While Class A sufficiently accommodates the loading of pedestrian traffic, Class B provides a higher factor of safety for public areas that may be subjected to occasional heavy loading such as maintenance vehicles or equipment that may pass over the grate.

Are pedestrian-safe grates suitable for areas with high foot traffic?

Absolutely. SVC's Pedestrian-Safe Grates are specifically designed for public and commercial precincts such as main streets, train stations, and shopping centres where pedestrian volumes are high, and user safety is the number one priority.

The steel mesh surface of our pedestrian-safe grates features smaller grate openings, which prevents items from falling through the grate or heels getting caught when people walk over the grate.

What makes a grate “pedestrian-safe”?

A pedestrian-safe, "heel-safe" or "heelproof" grate has apertures (openings) that are small enough to prevent a high heel from penetrating it. Grate apertures must be no greater than 8mm wide in order to be considered pedestrian-safe. As a comparison, the typical grate apertures for a bike-safe forgebar grating design are 12mm wide.

Are the openings in SVC’s stormwater grates safe for high-heeled shoes?

In general, the standard forgebar or weaved pattern in SVC's stormwater grating range is rated as bike-safe, meaning bicycle or wheelchair wheels can safely travel over the grate surface without getting caught or stuck. The grate apertures (openings) of bike-safe grating designs are typically too large to safely accommodate high-heeled shoes such as those with a stiletto heel.

In certain applications, pedestrian areas may specify "heel-safe" or "heelproof" grates, which have smaller openings to prevent high heels from getting caught. Out of SVC's stormwater grate offerings, only our Pedestrian-Safe Grates are classed as "heel-safe" and are suitable for high-heeled shoes.

What does the “clear opening” measurement mean?

The clear opening refers to the size of the open space or void beneath a cover or grate, and typically matches the internal size of the pit chamber below. It is the most critical dimension when ordering pit covers.

Access covers and grates are usually larger than the clear opening size in order to sufficiently cover the pit beneath. It is important to note that any dimensions in the product descriptions typically refer to the nominal clear opening, not the external dimensions of the cover or grate itself. For specific product dimensions, SVC can provide technical datasheets or product drawings for accuracy.

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