GRP for Rail Sites
GRP is used in rail depots and stations for walkways, stairs, handrails and fencing, because it does not conduct electricity or rust. At UIS, we design, fabricate and install GRP for landside rail sites, using our own site teams.
Why use GRP on rail sites?
GRP is used on rail sites because it does not conduct electricity near traction power and does not rust outdoors. We build GRP walkways, maintenance platforms, stairs, handrails and fencing for depots and stations.
If you are building or replacing walkways, stairs or fencing in a depot or at a station, they have to stay safe in all weathers, keep metal away from traction power, and go in within the access windows you have.
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Does not conduct
GRP walkways, handrails and fencing near traction power are not part of the electrical path.
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Light enough to carry in
GRP weighs roughly a fifth of the steel equivalent, so our site team can carry panels and sections in where plant cannot reach.
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We check your requirements first
Product acceptance and track-safety rules come from the infrastructure owner and your principal contractor, and we confirm what we can deliver before we quote.
What we build for depots and stations
What we build for rail depots and stations, and what we need to know before we price the work.
- Depot walkways and platforms
- GRP grating on GRP or steel frames, with guardrails and toe boards
- Set by: Loads from your engineer, layout from your maintenance team
- Stairs and step-overs
- GRP stairs with handrails both sides
- Set by: The height and what is being crossed
- Stair treads and nosings
- GRP anti-slip treads and nosings fixed over sound stairs
- Set by: The stair, and the nosing contrast your access standards ask for
- Fencing and gates
- GRP palisade and gates on GRP or steel mountings
- Set by: The perimeter design you specify
What we need to know first
- whether the work is on or near the operational railway, or inside a depot or station
- the product acceptance your client or principal contractor requires
- the track-safety training the site requires of our team
- the possessions or access windows available
- the loads and clearances your engineer has set
We confirm what we can deliver against each of these before we price the work.
How GRP compares with steel near traction power
Steel
- Electricity
- Conducts, so it needs earthing near traction power
- Outdoors
- The coating has to be maintained
- Best for
- Long spans and heavy loads
- Check first
- The coating system and how it will be maintained
GRP
- Electricity
- Does not conduct
- Outdoors
- Does not rust; check the UV grade for exposed sites
- Best for
- Walkways, handrails and fencing near traction power
- Check first
- The fire grade and the loads your engineer sets
We price rail-site work from a survey or your drawings. These are the main things that affect the price:
- the walkways, platforms and stairs needed
- the length of fence and the number of gates
- possession and access windows
- site rules and training requirements
- working hours
Our GRP product pages
Each of these has its own page with the full specification.
- GRP walkwaysA safe route across a roof, plant room or process area
- GRP stair treads and nosingsMore grip on an existing stair
- GRP handrailsEdge protection along walkways, platforms and stairs
- GRP palisade fencingA non-conductive, corrosion-free perimeter
- GRP cable traysCable containment in corrosive or electrical areas
From survey to handover.
We survey, detail, fabricate and install the GRP ourselves, so one company is responsible for the whole job.
Survey and measure
We agree the scope, the site rules and the access windows with you before anyone goes to site. On an existing structure we can 3D-scan it, so our drawings match what is on site.
Drawings and quotation
Our draughtsmen detail the GRP and any support steelwork to the loads your structural engineer gives us. We then send an itemised quotation that includes fabrication and installation. On major commercial packages the quotation comes back within 1 to 2 weeks.
Fabrication
We fabricate the support steelwork and cut the GRP panels and sections to size in our Rotherham workshop, so most of the cutting is done before delivery.
Installation
Our own site team installs the GRP under an SSSTS-qualified supervisor, to a method statement written for the job. We cut the GRP to size in our workshop, so there is little cutting on site. Where a panel does need trimming, we cut it with a diamond blade under dust extraction, away from live areas where possible, and no hot-works permit is needed.
Handover
At handover we give you the O&M pack, with the manufacturer's test data for the products we installed. The 12-month defect liability period runs from practical completion, in line with standard JCT terms, unless your contract sets different terms.
Why GRP suits rail sites
GRP walkways, handrails and fencing do not conduct electricity and do not rust. They weigh roughly a fifth of the steel equivalent, so our team can carry them in where plant cannot reach.
Request a quote
Handrail and guardrail systems.
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Where we use GRP on rail sites
These are the main places GRP goes in rail depots and stations.
About UIS-
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Depot walkways and maintenance platforms
We build GRP walkways, platforms and stairs for maintenance access in depots and sheds, with guardrails and toe boards, in a material that does not conduct.
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02
Stairs, stair treads and handrails at stations
We fit GRP anti-slip stair treads and nosings over sound stairs, and build GRP stairs and handrails, where wet footwear and heavy use wear surfaces down.
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03
Fencing and gates
We install GRP palisade fencing, gates and handrails where a line is needed that does not conduct or rust, and we make any steel mountings in our workshop.
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Installed by our own site teams
Our own site teams install every job. Each job has an SSSTS-qualified supervisor, every operative holds a CSCS card, and the teams are PASMA and IPAF trained. We write a method statement for each job and plan the work around your site, out of hours where your programme needs it.
"I've worked with UIS for several years on some high profile and very complex projects. Their attitude and work ethic are second to none - providing high quality services and products which are delivered safely and on time every time. Overall they are a pleasure to do business with and wouldn't hesitate recommending UIS for any steelwork or metalwork packages."
Questions we get asked.
GRP does not conduct electricity near traction power and does not rust outdoors. It also weighs roughly a fifth of the steel equivalent, so our team can carry it in where plant cannot reach.
This page covers depots, stations and other landside areas, where we work under your principal contractor's rail safety system. Work on or near the operational line needs a RISQS-registered supplier and staff with Personal Track Safety competence. Tell us if your job is lineside, and we will confirm what we can deliver before we quote.
Yes. We design, make and install GRP walkways, maintenance platforms, stairs, stair treads, handrails and fencing for depots and stations, and plan the work around the site's rules and hours.
Often, yes. We fix GRP anti-slip treads and nosings over a sound existing stair. We survey the stair first to check it is suitable.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 set the duty for work at height, and BS EN ISO 14122 covers platforms, walkways, stairs, guardrails and fixed ladders for access to plant. Your client and principal contractor add their own requirements, and we build to those as well.