Constant exposure to harsh environments and corrosive elements means that water and wastewater facilities need safety railing systems that stand up over the long haul under extreme conditions.
There are many options when choosing the best safety railing solution for a water and wastewater treatment facility. Galvanized steel, stainless steel, glass reinforced plastic pipe (GRP) and aluminum all provide varying degrees of corrosion resistance.
Among these alternative materials, aluminum safety railings are the most eco-friendly. They can be made from up to 35% recycled metal and are fully 100% recyclable. This reduces its overall impact to the environment even before installation.
Aluminum railings are strong and dependable. The top products on the market are made from high-grade aluminum silicon magnesium alloy (A356-T6) which offers the utmost level of corrosion resistance.
Although significantly lighter in weight than steel, aluminum railings exceed OSHA standards for guardrail safety. Aluminum is only one-third the weight of cast iron, with about 75% of comparable tensile strength. As a lighter weight option, aluminum is lower in cost when shipping and installation required has fast turnarounds.
Welded railings present a different problem. After many years of exposure to the harsh environment around wastewater treatment facilities, welded, fabricated railings can fail in highly corrosive climates. This leads to costly repairs and replacement of the rusted or compromised welded joints. Due to the superior corrosion resistance, aluminum fittings offer extremely low maintenance in both indoor and outdoor settings and are more cost effective when compared to welded rail systems.
