On Britain’s roads today, there are many factors that can cause motorcyclists and cyclists to skid, sometimes resulting in serious accidents. Among these factors are worn out access covers, which can wear away over time and become smooth and slippery due to decades of traffic.
The GripTop range from Saint-Gobain PAM UK features D400 anti-skid treated access covers that provide durable performance where the road configuration and traffic conditions require long-lasting grip for added safety.
Combining the strength of ductile cast iron with the stopping power of aggregates, the GripTop range is fully compliant to BS EN 124 and has been proven to provide a Skid Resistance Value (SRV) superior to 63 after 130,000 6.5 tonne loaded passages at 40mph. An SRV of 55 is recommended by the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) as a minimum for high-risk situations.
To help improve aesthetics in the urban environment, the range can be finished to match the surrounding road surface colour, including red to match bus and cycle lanes.
For ease of maintenance, developments are also underway to use coloured aggregates to help identify the type of chamber that sits below the access cover.
By being barely noticeable to passing traffic, the GripTop range increases road safety significantly by being less distracting than a traditional cover that could cause cyclists and motorcyclists to change lanes or even swerve to avoid.
For more information on the GripTop range, visit www.saint-gobain-pam.co.uk/access-covers-gratings/griptop.