ZeAllgrate Clips & Fastening System — Engineering Specifications
Secure every panel to the support
The fastening system holds grating panels to the support structure, resists uplift and lateral movement, and allows controlled thermal movement. Loose or missing clips are the leading cause of grating incidents.
Hold-down
Clips resist uplift from wind, vibration and maintenance loads and prevent panels walking under pedestrian traffic.
Load transfer
Clips transfer panel reactions into the support at every bearing point; under-fastening overloads individual bars.
Thermal movement
Correct clip type with slotted holes allows FRP thermal expansion without binding or warping.
| System components | G-clip · M-clip · C-clip · L-clip · saddle clip · FRP clip · expansion bolt · carriage bolt · flat washer · lock washer · nut |
| Bolt range | M6 · M8 · M10 · M12 (ISO 4014 / ISO 4017 hex & carriage bolts) |
| Materials | SS304 (A2) · SS316 (A4 / A4-80) · hot-dip galvanized · FRP / nylon |
Material, bolt size, clamping force, grating type and uplift resistance
Clamping force and uplift resistance are typical indicative values per clip; verify against the support angle thickness and clip manufacturer data.
| Clip Type | Material | Bolt Size | Clamping Force (kN) | Grating Type | Uplift Resistance (N) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G-Clip (standard) | SS304 / SS316 | M8 / M10 | ≈ 2.5 – 4.0 | Molded & pultruded grating | ≈ 800 – 1200 | Standard hold-down to steel support angle |
| M-Clip (heavy-duty) | SS304 / SS316 | M8 | ≈ 3.0 – 4.5 | Molded heavy panels (50 mm) | ≈ 1000 – 1500 | Deep-wrapped clip for thick / heavy panels |
| C-Clip | SS304 / SS316 / galvanized | M8 / M10 | ≈ 1.8 – 3.0 | Pultruded grating | ≈ 600 – 900 | Open C-channel; edge / retrofit fastening |
| L-Clip | SS304 / SS316 | M8 | ≈ 1.5 – 2.5 | Edge / fixed support | ≈ 500 – 800 | Edge fixing and perimeter hold-down |
| Saddle Clip | SS316 | M10 | ≈ 4.0 – 6.0 | Heavy-duty pultruded grating | ≈ 1500 – 2000 | Low-profile saddle on bar flange; long-span decks |
| FRP Clip | FRP (matching resin) | M8 | ≈ 1.0 – 1.8 | Electrical / non-conductive service | ≈ 300 – 500 | Non-metallic fixing near live electrical gear |
Clamping force derives from the bolt preload at the recommended torque (see torque table). Uplift resistance is indicative; final hold-down design must consider wind uplift and dynamic loads.
Match alloy to the environment — watch galvanic corrosion
| Environment | Recommended Material | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor / dry | Galvanized steel or SS304 | Economical; adequate for dry interior framing |
| Mild corrosive (outdoor / plant) | SS304 (A2) | Good atmospheric corrosion resistance |
| Severe corrosive (chemical / wastewater) | SS316 (A4) | Superior pitting resistance in acidic / chloride service |
| Marine / offshore | SS316 (A4-80) | Best marine alloy; passivate / electropolish where required |
| Electrical / non-conductive | FRP clip or nylon | Avoid conductive fasteners near live gear; nylon only below 120 °C |
| High temperature (> 120 °C) | SS316 | Avoid nylon / plastic fasteners; creep and loss of torque |
| Food & beverage | SS316 (electropolished) | Cleanable, non-flaking; ZeAll FDA resin trim where required |
Galvanic corrosion warning: dissimilar metals (e.g. galvanized clips on stainless supports, or aluminum trim near stainless fasteners) accelerate corrosion in wet / chloride service. Isolate with washers or nylon bushings, or select compatible alloys. In ultra-corrosive service use FRP clips.
Recommended tightening torque by bolt size and material
Values are typical indicative ranges; lubricated threads reduce required torque by 20 – 30%. Always use washers under head and nut.
| Bolt Size | SS304 / SS316 Torque (N·m) | Galvanized Torque (N·m) | FRP Bolt Torque (N·m) | Clamp Force (kN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M6 | 5 – 8 | 4 – 6 | 3 – 5 | ≈ 2.5 – 4.0 |
| M8 | 8 – 12 | 7 – 10 | 5 – 8 | ≈ 4.5 – 7.0 |
| M10 | 15 – 22 | 12 – 18 | 10 – 15 | ≈ 8.0 – 12.0 |
| M12 | 25 – 35 | 20 – 30 | 15 – 22 | ≈ 13.0 – 18.0 |
Torque basis: typical bolting practice for metric fasteners; confirm with the clip manufacturer for the exact alloy and thread condition (dry / lubricated).
Per ZeAllgrate engineering practice
Maximum spacing ≈ 1200 mm (4 ft); minimum 4 clips per standard 1220 × 3660 mm panel; clips at every bearing point; edge clips within 150 mm of panel ends; additional clips at cut-outs and penetrations.
| Panel Size | Grating Type | Clips per Panel | Spacing | Placement Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1220 × 3660 mm (standard, molded) | Molded 25 – 50 mm | ≥ 4 – 8 | ≤ 1200 mm c/c at each support | Clips ≤ 150 mm from each panel end; additional clips at cut-outs |
| 1200 × 3660 mm (pultruded) | Pultruded 40 – 60 mm | ≥ 4 – 6 | At every bearing-bar / support intersection | ≤ 1200 mm c/c along each support |
| 1000 × 3000 mm | Molded / pultruded | ≥ 4 | ≤ 1200 mm c/c | Minimum 4 clips per panel regardless of size |
| Cut / custom panel | Any | ≥ 4 | At each bearing point and every cut-out | Extra clips within 150 mm of any penetration |
Spacing basis: ZeAllgrate (ACMA) engineering practice — hold-down clips ≤ 1219 mm (4 ft) on centre at each support, minimum 2 clips per support beam, minimum 4 clips per panel.
Drill, place, torque, inspect
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1. Drill hole | Drill a clearance hole = bolt diameter + 1.5 mm (oversized to allow thermal movement). |
| 2. Deburr | Remove swarf and glass dust; radius the hole edge to avoid stress concentration. |
| 3. Place clip | Position the clip over the bar and support angle so it bears fully on both. |
| 4. Fit fastener | Insert bolt with flat washer under head and lock washer / flat washer under nut. |
| 5. Torque | Torque to the specification table above; do not over-torque (FRP crushing risk). |
| 6. Re-torque | Re-torque after ≈ 6 months to recover preload loss from relaxation. |
| 7. Inspect | Annual inspection: check tightness, corrosion and clip condition; replace damaged clips. |
Shear, uplift and dynamic considerations
Clip shear strength
An M8 SS316 bolt in single shear is ≈ 8 – 12 kN (typical); the clip body is normally the weak link — rate the whole assembly.
Uplift resistance
Hold-down clips resist wind / maintenance uplift; design uplift case per project wind loading.
Safety factor
Minimum safety factor 3:1 on clip assembly strength against factored loads.
Dynamic / vibration
In vibrating areas (near rotating equipment) use lock nuts or thread locker and inspect more frequently.
Clip and bolt capacities are indicative; final fastening design uses certified clip manufacturer data and applies the appropriate safety factor.
Top view of a standard panel — corner and mid-span clip pattern
Schematic, not to scale. Clips at four corners plus mid-span clips at each support.
Torque, clamping force and uplift values are indicative typical values. Fastener and clip design must use certified manufacturer data and conform to ISO 4014 / ISO 4017 (bolts) and ASTM A325 (structural bolting) where applicable. Contact [email protected] for a clip schedule and BOM for your project.
Clip Types and Selection
| Clip Type | Material | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| G-clip / saddle clip | SS316 or galvanized steel | Standard panel-to-support fixing at bearings |
| Spring / saddle clip | SS316 | Quick installation on standard panels |
| Hold-down clip | SS316 | Uplift resistance on walkways above process or windy decks |
| Bolted plate clip | SS316 | Heavy duty / high-lift service; panel to structural steel |
Installation Sequence
Drill the clip hole in the bearing bar (never force a clip), place the clip over the bar and support flange, insert the bolt with the washer and torque to the recommended value — over-torquing crushes the composite, under-torquing leaves the panel loose under foot. Use the prescribed clip pattern (typically corner plus mid-span fixings on standard panels) so load transfers evenly to the supports and thermal movement is not locked out. On washdown and corrosive decks, inspect clips annually: check torque, seat and bolt condition; replace any clip with corrosion or deformation.
Alloy and Galvanic Considerations
Match the clip alloy to the environment. SS316 clips are the marine and chemical default; galvanized steel is acceptable in dry indoor service, but never mix galvanized and stainless hardware on the same deck where galvanic cells can form in wet service. Where the support steel is carbon steel, isolate the dissimilar-metal contact with a non-metallic washer or barrier — the same practice as for any composite-to-steel connection.
Match the clip alloy to the environment. SS316 clips are the marine and chemical default; galvanized steel is acceptable in dry indoor service, but never mix galvanized and stainless hardware on the same deck where galvanic cells can form in wet service. Where the support steel is carbon steel, isolate the dissimilar-metal contact with a non-metallic washer or barrier — the same practice as for any composite-to-steel connection.Approved by Industry Bodies, Tested to International Standards
Every ZeAllgrate shipment is backed by documented quality systems, marine approvals and independent third-party verification.
ISO 9001:2015
Certified quality management system — since 2004.
DNV & ABS Marine
Marine-grade grating for offshore platforms and vessel decks.
SGS & Intertek
Independent third-party inspection and load testing on request.
OSHA 1910.23
Handrail systems load-tested to US federal requirements.
Material certificates, COA, ASTM test reports and compliance documentation supplied with every order. View certifications →
Need a Clip Schedule & Fastening BOM?
Tell us the grating type, thickness, support layout and environment — we return a clip schedule, torque list and BOM within 24 hours.