GRP Handrail Tube is manufactured from pultruded glass reinforced plastic and combines low weight, non-conductivity and corrosion resistance with defined mechanical and fire-performance properties.

• Material & Construction
  
• Material: Glass reinforced plastic (GRP)
  
• Construction: Pultruded GRP round tube
  
• Cut to length: Yes
  
• Cut to size: Yes
  
• Finish: GRP
  
• Density: 1,700–2,000 kg/m³
  
• Barcol hardness: >45
  
• Water absorption, 24 hours: ≤0.45%
  
• Mechanical Properties
  
• Effective flexural modulus: 26 GPa
  
• Tensile modulus – axial: 35 GPa
  
• Flexural strength – axial: ≥340 MPa
  
• Tensile strength – axial: ≥380 MPa
  
• Interlaminar shear strength – axial: ≥25 MPa
  
• Interlaminar shear strength – transverse: ≥10 MPa
  
• Service bending stress screening limit: 120 MPa
  
• Environmental & Performance Properties
  
• Chemical resistant: Yes
  
• UV resistant: Yes
  
• Flame retardant: Yes
  
• Non-conductive – electrical: Yes
  
• Non-conductive – high voltage electrical: Yes
  
• Oily and greasy areas: Yes
  
• Wheeled areas: Yes
  
• Indoor use: Yes
  
• Outdoor use: Yes
  
• Temperature resistance: -50°C to +110°C
  
• Fire Performance
  
• Fire classification: EN 13501 – Class B s1 d0 f

Maintenance

• Everyday dirt: clean with a stiff brush
  
• More stubborn dirt: warm water and mild detergent
  
• Pressure washing: low-pressure setting

Good to Know

The mechanical figures above are laboratory baseline material data. They should not be interpreted as a universal load rating for a completed handrail or guardrail system.

From the Mats4U Team

For a project with specific structural requirements, use these material properties alongside the complete system design, including tube spacing, supports, connectors and fixing arrangements.

Handrails and guardrails need to provide reliable support while remaining suitable for the environment in which they are installed. GRP offers a combination of properties that can make it a practical alternative to conventional materials for many safety-system applications.

Lightweight Without Sacrificing Strength

GRP Handrail Tube is manufactured using a pultruded GRP construction, producing a strong profile while keeping the tube relatively lightweight.

The lower weight can make individual sections easier to handle, position and install, particularly on larger projects where multiple lengths and components need to be transported and assembled.

Non-Conductive for Electrical Environments

One of the key advantages of GRP is its non-conductive nature. The handrail tube is specified as non-conductive for both standard electrical and high-voltage electrical applications.

This can make GRP particularly useful around electrical infrastructure and in environments where avoiding conductive handrail materials is an important part of the installation design.

Corrosion-Resistant Construction

GRP does not rust in the same way as conventional steel, while this handrail tube is also specified as corrosion resistant and suitable for chemical exposure.

This makes it well suited to environments where moisture, chemicals or other conditions could create challenges for conventional materials.

Low-Maintenance Safety Infrastructure

GRP Handrail Tube is designed as a low-maintenance solution and does not require regular treatment or replacement according to the supplied product information.

Routine cleaning can normally be carried out with a stiff brush, while more stubborn dirt can be removed using warm water and mild detergent or a low-pressure pressure washer.

Suitable for Indoor & Outdoor Use

The tube is suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments, providing flexibility when specifying handrail and guardrail systems across different sites.

Good to Know

GRP's non-conductive and corrosion-resistant properties can be particularly valuable in environments where metal handrails may require additional consideration. However, the complete handrail system still needs to be designed around the requirements of the installation.

From the Mats4U Team

If you're replacing an existing metal handrail, look beyond the material price alone. Handling, cutting, installation requirements, corrosion resistance and long-term maintenance can all influence the overall suitability of the chosen system.

GRP Handrail Tube is suitable for a wide range of safety and access applications. Its combination of lightweight construction, non-conductivity and corrosion resistance makes it particularly useful in environments where conventional metal handrails may not be the preferred option.

Pedestrian Walkways

GRP Handrail Tube can be used to create handrails alongside pedestrian walkways, helping provide a defined and supported route through industrial, commercial and infrastructure environments.

Staircases & Access Routes

The tube can form part of handrail systems installed alongside staircases and access routes. Its lightweight construction can simplify handling during installation, while its corrosion resistance makes it suitable for indoor and outdoor applications.

Guardrail Systems

GRP Handrail Tube can be incorporated into guardrail systems where a durable, non-conductive material is required. It can be used as part of a wider system alongside suitable posts, connectors and fixing components.

Work Platforms

The tube is suitable for safety systems around work platforms and other elevated or access areas where handrails and guardrails form part of the overall installation.

Railway & Transport Infrastructure

GRP is commonly selected for infrastructure environments where corrosion resistance and non-conductive properties are important considerations. The tube can be incorporated into suitable handrail and guardrail systems within railway and transportation settings.

Offshore & Industrial Environments

The combination of corrosion resistance, chemical resistance and low maintenance makes GRP Handrail Tube suitable for demanding industrial and offshore environments where exposure to moisture and other harsh conditions can be a concern.

Data Centres & Electrical Environments

The tube's non-conductive properties make it particularly relevant to environments such as data centres and areas associated with electrical infrastructure, where conductive materials may require additional consideration.

Commercial Vehicles & Specialist Applications

The supplied product information also identifies applications on commercial vehicles, demonstrating the flexibility of GRP handrail tube beyond fixed building and infrastructure installations.

Good to Know

These applications describe where GRP Handrail Tube can be used as part of a suitable system. The tube itself is one component of the finished installation, so connectors, posts, fixings and the overall system design need to be appropriate for the application.

From the Mats4U Team

When planning a handrail or guardrail project, consider the environment first. If the installation is exposed to moisture, chemicals, electrical equipment or outdoor conditions, GRP's material properties may offer advantages that are worth considering before choosing a conventional metal system.

GRP Handrail Tube is designed to make installation straightforward, with sections that can be cut to length and size to suit individual project requirements.

The ability to customise lengths provides flexibility when creating handrails, guardrails and other safety systems where standard lengths may not provide the exact dimensions required.

Cut to the Required Length

The tube can be cut to suit the dimensions of the installation. This is useful when working around existing structures, creating different handrail runs or adapting the system to a specific project layout.

Mats4U can also provide an in-house cutting service, helping with project requirements where pre-cut sections are preferred.

Minimal Tooling Requirements

GRP Handrail Tube can be installed using minimal tooling, helping simplify work on site and potentially reducing the labour involved in preparing and assembling the system.

This can be particularly useful on larger projects where multiple sections need to be cut and installed.

Build a Complete Handrail System

The tube can be used as a standalone section or as part of a wider GRP safety system. Fixing clips, bolts and clamps are available separately, allowing the tube to be incorporated into an appropriate handrail or guardrail arrangement.

The specific components required will depend on the design and configuration of the finished system.

Good to Know

Cutting the tube to size provides installation flexibility, but the finished handrail or guardrail still needs to be designed around the required dimensions, support points and fixing arrangement.

From the Mats4U Team

If you're ordering GRP Handrail Tube for a larger project, consider providing your required cut lengths in advance. This can make handling and installation more straightforward and reduce the amount of cutting required on site.

GRP Handrail Tube has been developed for demanding safety-system applications, with defined material properties covering strength, fire performance, water absorption and temperature resistance.

Fire-Retardant Performance

The handrail tube has a Class B s1 d0 f fire classification under EN 13501.

This provides customers with a defined fire-performance classification when assessing the suitability of GRP handrail tube for a particular installation.

Strength & Material Performance

The pultruded GRP construction provides a combination of tensile and flexural properties suitable for structural handrail and safety-system applications.

Laboratory baseline material data includes:

• Effective flexural modulus: 26 GPa
  
• Tensile modulus – axial: 35 GPa
  
• Flexural strength – axial: ≥340 MPa
  
• Tensile strength – axial: ≥380 MPa
  
• Interlaminar shear strength – axial: ≥25 MPa
  
• Interlaminar shear strength – transverse: ≥10 MPa
  
• Service bending stress screening limit: 120 MPa
  
• Density range: 1,700–2,000 kg/m³
  
• Barcol hardness: >45
  
• Water absorption, 24 hours: ≤0.45%
  
• Temperature Resistance

GRP Handrail Tube is specified for temperatures from -50°C to +110°C, providing a broad operating range for a variety of indoor and outdoor environments.

UV Resistant

The tube is specified as UV resistant, making it suitable for applications where the handrail system is exposed to sunlight and outdoor conditions.

Good to Know

The laboratory figures above are material-property data and should not be treated as a universal load capacity for a finished handrail or guardrail. The performance of a complete system depends on the tube, connectors, supports, fixings, spacing and installation design.

From the Mats4U Team

If you're specifying GRP Handrail Tube for a project with particular structural or fire-performance requirements, use the relevant material data as part of the overall specification rather than relying on a single performance figure.

GRP Handrail Tube is designed for environments where handrails and safety systems may be exposed to moisture, chemicals, outdoor conditions and regular use. Its corrosion-resistant and chemical-resistant construction helps make it a practical choice for demanding installations.

Resistant to Rust & Corrosion

Unlike conventional steel handrails, GRP does not rust in the same way when exposed to moisture. The tube is specified as corrosion resistant, making it suitable for wet and outdoor environments.

This can be particularly useful in locations where regular exposure to moisture could increase maintenance requirements for conventional materials.

Chemical Resistant

The handrail tube is specified as chemical resistant, supporting its use across industrial and specialist environments where exposure to chemicals may be a consideration.

The suitability of GRP for a specific chemical environment should still be assessed against the particular substances and conditions involved.

Suitable for Wet, Oily & Greasy Areas

The product is specified for use in oily and greasy areas, as well as indoor and outdoor environments. This provides flexibility for industrial settings and other areas where contamination may occur as part of normal operation.

Simple Cleaning

Routine cleaning is straightforward. Everyday dirt and debris can normally be removed using a stiff brush.

For more stubborn contamination, the tube can be cleaned using:

• Warm water and a mild detergent
  
• A pressure washer on a low-pressure setting

This makes GRP Handrail Tube a practical option where keeping safety systems clean and presentable is part of routine site maintenance.

Long-Term, Low-Maintenance Solution

The product information specifies that GRP Handrail Tube requires no regular treatment or replacement. Combined with its corrosion resistance and UV resistance, this makes it suitable for applications where reducing ongoing maintenance is an important consideration.

Good to Know

Chemical resistance is not universal across every substance. If the handrail will be exposed to a specific chemical or particularly aggressive environment, its compatibility should be confirmed before installation.

From the Mats4U Team

One of the advantages of GRP is that you can often spend less time maintaining the material itself. When comparing handrail systems, consider not just installation cost but also the ongoing cleaning and maintenance requirements of the environment.

What is GRP Handrail Tube?

GRP Handrail Tube is a lightweight, corrosion-resistant round tube manufactured from glass reinforced plastic. It is designed for use as a handrail, guardrail or as part of a wider safety system.

What is GRP Handrail Tube used for?

It can be used for handrails and guardrails alongside pedestrian walkways, staircases, work platforms and access areas. It is also suitable for applications across construction, rail, offshore environments and data centres.

Is GRP Handrail Tube non-conductive?

Yes. The tube is specified as non-conductive for both electrical and high-voltage electrical applications.

Why use GRP instead of a metal handrail?

GRP provides several useful properties for handrail applications, including lightweight construction, corrosion resistance, chemical resistance and non-conductivity. It can also be cut to size with minimal tooling.

Can GRP Handrail Tube be used outdoors?

Yes. The product is specified as suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments and is also UV resistant.

Is GRP Handrail Tube corrosion resistant?

Yes. The GRP construction is corrosion resistant and does not rust in the same way as conventional steel.

Is it suitable for wet environments?

Yes. The product is suitable for indoor and outdoor use and is specified as suitable for oily and greasy areas. Its corrosion resistance also makes GRP useful in environments where moisture is a consideration.

Is GRP Handrail Tube chemical resistant?

Yes. The product is specified as chemical resistant. For particularly aggressive chemical environments, compatibility with the specific substance should still be assessed.

Can the tube be cut to size?

Yes. GRP Handrail Tube can be cut to both length and size. Mats4U also offers an in-house cutting service.

Does GRP Handrail Tube require specialist tools?

The product is designed to install with minimal tooling, helping simplify preparation and installation compared with systems that require more extensive equipment.

Can it be used as a guardrail?

Yes. The product information specifically identifies guardrails and wider safety systems as applications. The complete guardrail must, however, be designed with appropriate supports, connectors and fixings.

Can it be used as a standalone handrail?

Yes. GRP Handrail Tube can be used as a standalone section or as part of a wider safety system, depending on the requirements of the installation.

Is GRP Handrail Tube fire resistant?

The product has a Class B s1 d0 f fire classification under EN 13501. This is a defined fire-performance classification rather than a claim that the material is completely fireproof.

What temperature can GRP Handrail Tube withstand?

The supplied specification gives a temperature resistance range of -50°C to +110°C.

Is GRP Handrail Tube UV resistant?

Yes. The product is specified as UV resistant, making it suitable for outdoor applications where exposure to sunlight is expected.

How do I clean GRP Handrail Tube?

For everyday dirt and debris, a stiff brush will normally be sufficient. More stubborn contamination can be removed using warm water and a mild detergent. A pressure washer can also be used on a low-pressure setting.

What components are available for installing the tube?

Fixing clips, bolts and clamps are available separately. The exact components required will depend on the design and configuration of the finished handrail or guardrail system.

Does the tube have a load rating?

The supplied information provides laboratory baseline material properties, including tensile and flexural strength, but does not provide a universal finished-system load rating. The load capacity of a complete handrail or guardrail depends on the tube, supports, connections, fixings and installation design.

Good to Know

GRP Handrail Tube's material properties make it suitable for many demanding environments, but the tube should always be considered as part of the complete safety system when assessing structural performance.

From the Mats4U Team

If you're specifying GRP handrail tube for a commercial, industrial or infrastructure project, send us the application and required lengths where possible. This helps establish the most appropriate configuration and components for the installation.