What is a Heelguard Grate?
A heelguard grate is a channel drain grate with a slot opening narrow enough to prevent a standard high-heeled shoe from becoming trapped. Standard slotted grates have wider openings that, while effective for drainage flow, can catch a heel or a bicycle tyre — creating a trip hazard and a safety risk.
Heelguard grates are required or strongly recommended wherever pedestrians use the same surface as the drainage channel — particularly in mixed-use areas such as residential driveways, car parks with pedestrian access and commercial areas.
When is a Heelguard Grate Required?
EN 1433 defines grate classes that include provisions for slot widths and pedestrian safety. A heelguard grate pattern is typically specified in any of these situations:
- Residential driveways used by both vehicles and pedestrians.
- Car parks accessible to the public on foot.
- Commercial areas with pedestrian and vehicle use.
- Any area where high-heeled footwear is foreseeable.
- Areas accessible to cycling.
Forti Nova Products with Heelguard Grating
| Product | Load Class | Grate Material |
|---|---|---|
| Polypropylene Channel — Polypropylene Grating | A15 | Polypropylene — heel safe |
| Polypropylene Channel — Galvanised Grating | A15 | Galvanised steel — heel safe |
| B125 Driveway Channel — Heel Guard Grating | B125 | Ductile iron — heel guard |
| MAX B125 Channel | B125 | Polypropylene |
| Hydro Plus C250 Channel | C250 | Ductile iron — bolted |
| U100 C250 Channel | C250 | Composite — heel guard |
| R150 D400 RapidLock | D400 | Ductile iron — heel guard, RapidLock |
| R200 D400 RapidLock | D400 | Ductile iron — heel guard, RapidLock |
| F150 F900 Channel | F900 | Ductile iron — heel guard, bolt locking |
Heelguard vs Standard Slotted Grate
| Feature | Heelguard | Standard Slot |
|---|---|---|
| Slot opening | Narrower — prevents heel entrapment | Wider — maximum flow but entrapment risk |
| Pedestrian safety | Higher — recommended in mixed areas | Lower — suitable for vehicle-only areas |
| Hydraulic performance | Slightly reduced by narrower slot | Higher flow capacity |
| Typical use | Driveways, car parks, mixed areas | Roads, industrial, vehicle-only areas |