The Steel Journey: Galvanised Steel Fire Escapes

Galvanised Steel Fire Escapes and Custom Steel Staircases:

Niche Specification:

At Rank Engineering we are often asked to fabricate custom metal balustrades and handrails, as well as stringers, treads, landing plates and mezzanine floors for commercial clients and private customers alike. We tailor their design according to niche specifications and they can take many shapes and forms. Rank Engineering have been producing galvanised steel fire escapes and bespoke handrails, balustrades, mezzanine floors and staircases for 30 years!

Balustrades and Handrails:

Balustrades and handrails are often exclusively made out of mild steel, however, stainless steel is sometimes a bespoke consideration. The latter comes in a range of finishes such as dull or mirror polished. In light of the former, galvanisation is often desirable if outdoor installation is a requirement. Bespoke metal fabrications like this can also be powder coated in any RAL colour (to be discussed in the next chapter of The Steel Journey). Nevertheless, whatever look you are going for, we offer advice on the optimum method of achieving the design you want; end to end, whether it be a spiral staircase, a glass balustrade or even a Victorian paneled balustrade Hippodrome London – Rank Engineering . The style of welding is also adaptable to purpose for example, thinner welding wire is optimum for fiddley detailing.

Building Regulations Compliant:

Treads, landing plates and mezzanine floors are designed according to endless configurations. Rank Engineering tailor the custom metal design for you. Durbar steel plate is often used as it is very durable, non-slip and can be galvanised for rust prevention, however steel tray treads filled with concrete are also sometimes required. Conversely, steel plate treads clad in timber are quite popular. Sometimes, a more rustic look as opposed to industrial look is preferable. Evidently, it is reassuring that, all custom metal fire escapes and staircases Rank Engineering manufacture and install; indoors or outdoors, undergo strict design adherence to building regulation compliance standards. This is extremely important. Markedly, not just for safety purposes, but also for building regulations approval, which directly impacts the resultant desired utilisation of the property, not to mention the value.

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The Steel Journey: Galvanisation

Economical, Sustainable, Maintenance-Free:

Rank Engineering recommend galvanisation on metal fabrication if rusting is deemed to be potentially problematic on exterior installations. Hot dip galvanizing is economical, environmentally sustainable and is an integral part of the steel manufacturing process.  It gives a bright, shiny, ‘spangledâ€?(crystallised pattern), metallic effect.  It is formed from the metallurgical reaction between iron and zinc, creating a series of zinc-iron alloy layers.  Galvanisation is a robust, maintenance-free, surface application with good impact and abrasion resistance.

Rust Prevention on Exterior Metal Fabrication:

Galvanisation is used predominantly on exterior, metal fabrication installations to prevent rusting.  The process involves covering iron or steel with a protective layer of zinc. This serves as a sacrificial anode; a self-repairing barrier.  It also prevents corrosive substances from reaching the underlying base metal when the surface is damaged.  Metal fabrications can then be powder coated in any colour, post galvanisation.  

Galvanisation Requirement Specification:

The thickness of galvanizing required can be specified at either 85 or 140 microns by the engineer.  This can be adapted to the longevity needed for different projects, in different environments. Coastal environments, for example, have a higher atmospheric corrosion rate.  Part numbers are also often identified on steel fabrications if required.  This is achieved by welding the number directly onto the steels, making them easier to identify, post galvanisation, for installation purposes.

Galvanisation Method:

Metal fabrications, identified as requiring galvanisation, are picked up by one of our specialist subcontractors, from our workshop and transported to the galvanizing yard. 

They are then dipped in a large bath of acid, in a process called pickling. This subsequently cleans off any contaminants from the surface of the metal.  

The metal components are then submerged in a large bath of molten zinc for a set period of time, to allow their temperature to optimally increase as required. 

In order to achieve the optimum zinc coating and to ensure that, the liquid zinc can flow freely over all of the external and internal surfaces, venting and drainage holes, where there are sealed hollow sections or cavities, are essential! 

The iron or steel fabrications are then removed from the bath, allowed to cool down, loaded back onto the lorry and transported back to us. 

Rapid Process on Metal Fabrications:

This whole process sometimes only takes 24 hours.  Therefore, at Rank Engineering we do recommend not to avoid galvanizing due to time constraints, if rusting is deemed as potentially problematic, due to the location of the installation.  It doesn’t take as long as you think it does and the benefits in the long run can prevent from atmospheric, sulphur dioxide corrosion for over 85 years!

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