Hand-made Aluminium Gangways & Ramps Built To Last

Why buy from Bristol Industries of Pennsylvania? Simply put, Bristol Industries of Pennsylvania, Inc. manufactures a superior product, exceeding all customer expectations.  We challenge you to find a higher quality product at our competitive prices.  Dollar for dollar, Bristol Industries of Pennsylvania, Inc. offers the best value when it comes to hi-tech aluminum gangways, piers, and docks. Browse our products below.

Hi-tech aluminum resists corrosion, pitting, leaching, rusting, warping, and splitting.  Our entire line can be manufactured with your choice of decking options, using either aluminum decking, marine-grade treated lumber, exotic Ipe* wood, composite wood, or PVC lumber.  This wide variety of decking choices allows you to match existing structures, such as porches, decks, and patios, or even other manufacturers’ docks and piers.

Design Features:

  • Bristol Industries of Pennsylvania, Inc. gangways are fabricated from 6000 SERIES extruded aluminum — Indicated by the Aluminum Association of America as the most durable alloy in salt marine environments.
  •  Handrails are designed to withstand a 200 pound loading applied from any direction at any point on the handrail.
  • All fasteners are stainless steel
  • Design live load between 50PSF – 100+PSF (varies between width of gangway)
  • Walkway surface has integral “ROTEX” non-skid planking with 3/8 spacing between planks for proper water run-off
  • All gangways come standard with two UMHW rollers

Gangways

Gangways should enhance the environment in which they are placed.  Bristol Industries of Pennsylvania, Inc. products enhance the value of your waterfront property by making it accessible in an aesthetically pleasing way.

Bristol Industries of Pennsylvania, Inc. uses mainframe elements that are exclusively extruded for our ramps, docks, and piers. This proprietary mainframe system imparts additional stability to the framework and deck, while reducing torsion during extreme weather conditions. Your ramp will remain plumb for the life of the product.

Safety and durability are our first concern. Any waterfront experience is only as pleasurable as it is safe. With that in mind, we make all of our products using our exclusive non-skid Dock Plank system with Rotex® to ensure adequate traction on either wet or dry surfaces.

Because we are not a one size fits all manufacturer, we can craft specially configured handrails to fit your needs. All of our gangways, ramps, and piers can comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, ensuring safe access for all.

Standard ramp sizes are 3’ & 4’ wide. They can be from 9’ to 54’ long. Standard dock sizes are 6’ & 8’ wide by 20’ long. Custom sizes can be constructed upon request.

Click to see our Gangway Gallery
GET-A-QUOTE

Gangway Superstructures

For most applications, our standard gangways will achieve safety and navigation across water. But what if you need a much larger gangway for your marine lifestyle?

We’ve designed our gangways to be adaptable to the customers needs, in any and all applications. Our hand-built superstructure aluminum gangways provide superior strength and security for your larger than average gangway. Superstructure gangways come standard with two UMHW rollers to protect your gangway subsurface.

Gangway Superstructure Applications

  • Extra long A.D.A. access ramps
  • Pier-to-pier gangway connection
  • Multi-level deck boats
  • Navigating water where piling is not possible
Click to see our Gangway Gallery
GET-A-QUOTE

Ramps

Our gangways also can also serve as safe and affordable ramps on land. Whether for personal or commercial uses, we’ve utilized our gangways to provide adequate walking spaces between two platforms.

We’ve designed our access ramps so they are easier to handle than gangways or ramps of any other material because of the light weight aluminums which combined with its strength and rugged construction, makes for durable and easy to move access ramps. You can count on our ramp’s superior strength for safety and security.

Ramp Applications

  • A.D.A. access ramps (wheelchair accessible)
  • Dune walkover and beach access ramps
  • Access ramps for kayak and canoe launch
  • Stair-alternative for loading/unloading
  • Cart accessible ramps
GET-A-QUOTE

Pictures coming soon!

Aluminum Gangway Handrails

Premium quality aluminum construction round handrails, coming in 1.5″ and 2″ applications available for all manufactured gangways. Our typical handrail ends are curved into our upright supports, eliminating unsightly handrail end caps and providing more safety & surface area to grab before entering our gangway. It also creates a luxury design that you don’t see from our competitors.

We offer aluminum handrails in both Welded Handrail and Removable Handrail applications. Removable handrails come out simply but are as secure and tight as welded handrails when installed. Removable handrails also make our gangways much more compact for storage, making it a consideration for gangways that are often moved or only put above water seasonally.

Handrail Features

  • A.D.A. certified handrails available
  • Welded Handrail & Removable Handrail applications
  • 1.5″ and 2″ rounded handrails available
  • No unsightly handrail end caps found on competitor products
GET-A-QUOTE

Transition Plates

As an option, your gangway can be fitted with a slip-resistant transition plate made of aluminum diamond plate for strength. An integrated piano hinge accommodates wave action and daily tidal changes. At the terminal end of the gangway’s transition plate, a UHMW polyethylene wear-strip reduces friction at the point of contact, while remaining attractive throughout many years of use. This helps keep your dock or subsurface in good shape and leaves you with long-lasting marine equipment. Optional side railings available for transition plates to comply with A.D.A. standards.

GET-A-QUOTE

Piano Hinges

The use of piano hinges is required to make sure your water access point is A.D.A. compliant. We use piano hinges on all of our gangways for superior strength and usability. Piano hinges are unique from other hinges because they have almost no gap between the bulkhead and your gangway. This is a must for wheelchairs or hand carts, small children and even our little furry friends. Having a hinge that requires no step up or down when moving from platform to platform is the best way to stay safe when platform elevations can change quickly.

We’ve designed our piano hinge so that the transfer of force is evenly distributed down the entire width of the hinge, rather than creating stress points on the welds. This also allows you to also link your gangway to platform or even gangway to gangway to form a pier.

GET-A-QUOTE

UMHW Gangway Rollers

Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), also known as high-modulus polyethylene (HMPE) or high-performance polyethylene (HPPE) is a very tough material, with the highest impact strength of any thermoplastic presently made. It is highly resistant to corrosive chemicals. With extremely low moisture absorption, it has a very low coefficient of friction, is self-lubricating, and is highly resistant to abrasion (15 times more resistant to abrasion than carbon steel). It is odorless, tasteless, and non toxic.

We use UHMW exclusively for our gangway rollers. This allows for our rollers to stand up to the test of salt-water environments year round whilst negating much of the abuse that rollers often give to their subsurface. Protect your dock, pier, or bulkhead properly with our high-tech roller assemblies.

GET-A-QUOTE

More Gangway Information

MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS & LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY

BRISTOL INDUSTRIES OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC,
FLOATING DOCK & GANGWAY SYSTEM
MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS AND DRAWINGS

PDF Download Links:

      I.   DESIGN STANDARDS
    II.   DESIGN LOAD CONDITIONS
  III.   MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
   IV.   RAMP AND GANGWAY MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
     V.   INSTALLATION
   VI.   WARRANTY FLOTATION
  VII.  WARRANTY DOCK & RAMP STRUCTURE

The Floating Dock/Gangway system shall be manufactured by Bristol Industries Of Pennsylvania, Inc. You can reach us by phone at (215) 493-7230. Bristol Industries of Pennsylvania, Inc. will assist you with the pricing on the plan(s) and shall be a heavy duty type system which shall meet or exceed the following design requirements and be constructed as recommended by the Manufacturer to meet the following criteria:

I.    DESIGN STANDARDS

The Floating Dock and Gangway systems shall be of the sizes specified to facilitate interchangeability, flexibility of design, and maintainability. All sizes and weights are nominal.

II.   DESIGN LOAD CONDITIONS

A. Vertical Loads:

DEAD LOAD shall consist of the entire weight of the floating structure.
FLOTATION shall consist of the entire weight of the floating structure.
FREEBOARD FLOTATION shall provide the maximum freeboard under dead load of the dock sections. The dock shall float level under dead load.
FLOTATION STRUCTURE shall be “drums” to meet all Army Corp. of Engineers and Coast Guard regulations. Drum sizes shall vary to meet flotation and freeboard requirements.

B. Horizontal Loads:

A uniform horizontal wind, loading from any direction, shall be equal to 150 plf. with safety factor.

C. Connections:

Connections shall be designed so units may be disconnected and moved. Materials shall be aluminum, stainless steel or equal. Frame shall be fastened to the flotation with stainless steel bolts, washers and nuts of the required sizes and lengths to connect the flotation to the frame tracks.

D. Decking:

Decking is 2” x 5 ½” Dock Plank with “Rotex™” no-slip surface. Under the direct rays of the sun, Bristol Industries of Pennsylvania, Inc. decks are much cooler than wood. The decking shall be connected to the mainframe with stainless steel fasteners or equivalant. Alternate decking could be wolmanized lumber, Ipe wood, composite materials, or special decking materials as per customer request. Alternate decking shall be fastened with galvanized or stainless steel connectors as recommended by their manufacturers.

E. Frame:

Framing shall be salt resistant Series 6000 aluminum alloy, 6 1/2” high, specially designed for extra strength. The extruded side slots house 2” resilient (non marking) rubber bumper and/or hinge assembly for continuous bumper protection on open sides. The bottom of the frame shall have a custom extruded bolt track for ease of flotation attachment and adjustments as required to meet flotation requirements. The corners have heavy gauge reinforced corner keys, MIG welded for additional strength. The I-Beam Superstructure consists of a custom, heavy gauge extrusion for extra rigidity.

F. Weight:

The dock system without floats, weighs approximately 5 pounds per square foot. With flotation, approximately 8 pounds per square foot.

III.   MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

A. Flotation 

Size
Pounds Flotation
Size
Pounds Flotation
24″ x 48″ x 12”
450
48″ x 48″ x 24”
1,831
24″ x 48″ x 16”
604
48″ x 72″ x 12”
1,362
24″ x 48″ x 20”
759
48″ x 72″ x 16”
1,828
36″ x 48″ x 12”
679
48″ x 72″ x 20”
2,295
36″ x 48″ x 16”
911
48″ x 72″ x 24”
2,754
36″ x 48″ x 20”
1,143
48″ x 96″ x 12”
1,816
36″ x 48″ x 24”
1,372
48″ x 96″ x 16”
2,278
36″ x 72″ x 16”
1,373
48″ x 96″ x 20”
3,057
36″ x 72″ x 20”
1,716
48″ x 96″ x 24”
3,668
48″ x 48″ x 12”
908
    
48″ x 48″ x 16”
1,217
    
48″ x 48″ x 20”
1,526
    


Outer Shell 

Properties Test Method
Units
 Typical Results
Melt Index ASTM D1238
g/10min
 6.5-6.8
Density ASTM D1505
g/ cm 3
 0.935-0.936
ESCR Condition A (100% lgepal) ASTM D1693
Hours
 >1000
Brittleness Temperature ASTM D746
F° (C°)
 -103 (-75)
Heat Deflection Temperature 66psi ASTM D648
F° (C°)
 122-137 (50-59)
Tensile Strength @ yield 2″/Min ASTM D638
P.S.I.
 2,500
Flexural Modulus (1% Secant) ASTM D790
P.S.I.
 100,000-102,000
Impact Strength 1/8″ @-40°C 1 Association of Rotomolders
FtLb
 45-60
Impact Strength 1/4″ @-40°C 1 Association of Rotomolders
FtL
 160

1 Impact Strength of testing material is at the lower -40° C temperature as recommended by the Association of Rotomolders and not the les stringent -20 ° F as used by some Manufacturers.


Inner Core 

Properties Test Method Units
Typical Results
Density ASTM C303 Lb/Cu.Ft.
1
Comprehensive Resistance @ Yield or 10% Deformation ASTM D165 P.S.I.
10
Flexural Strength ASTM D203 P.S.I.
25
Water Absorption ASTM D272 % by Vol Max
4%

*All testing including the water absorbtion testing is carried out in accordance with the American Society of Testing and Materials, (ASTM) the recognized accredited standard within the USA and in other countries around the world.  Testing to other standards can be accommodated if required.  Testing through an independent test house can be arrranged at additional cost.

B. Features:

These rugged, seamless, float drums are rotationally molded from virgin grade polyethylene resin with UV inhibitors. The drums are foam filled using a 1 to 1.5 density virgin expanded polystyrene (EPS). The drums are impervious to saltwater, oil, gas, marine life and the nominal .150 wall thickness assures lasting service. The heavy-duty mounting flange has molded-in mounting slots and pilot holes, making installation quick and easy. All floats have a flat top, threaded vent plugs, and “Flash Dot”, which takes the guess work out of night docking. All floats meet Army Corps of Engineers Regulation #36 and the Hunt Water Absorption test. Flotation units are considered as being part of the floating dock from the bottom of the deck framing to the bottom of the flotation units. The flotation’s integrity shall be designed to maintain buoyancy even if structurally damaged. Connections of the flotation units shall be so designed that the docks act as one unit. One unit does not deflect without adjacent units deflecting.

IV.   RAMP AND GANGWAY MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

A. Standard Sizes:

Standard ramp sizes are 3’ & 4’ wide. They can be from 9’ to 54’ long. Standard dock sizes are 6’ & 8’ wide by 20’ long. Custom sizes can be constructed upon request.

B. Materials:

The materials shall be salt resistant Series 6000 aluminum alloy and stainless steel fasteners.

C. Bulkhead Mounting Brackets:

The piano hinged mounting bracket includes a removable pin for easy installation and removal.  The assembly is made from 6000 series aluminum alloy.

D. Corner Reinforcement:

2” x 2” x ¼ x 2 ½”

E. Handrail and Vertical Supports:

1 ½” Sch. 40 & 2” Sch. 40 round pipe or 2 ½” semi-circle handrail. 5” wide x 2” deep main vertical supports truss members.

F. Ramp Wheels:

Segmented Ultra High Molecular Weight (UHMW) roller system with 2 ½” x 6” roller and ¾” steel pin.

G. Live Load Design:

100 Pounds per square foot minimum up to 30 feet in length. Lengths over 30’ reduce in psf to a minimum of 50 psf at 54’ long.

H. Decking:

Decking shall be Dock Plank 2” x 5 ½” with “Rotex®” no-slip surface. It is connected to the structural main frame with stainless steel fasteners.

V.   INSTALLATION

Installation shall be by others in accordance to the manufacturers recommendations.

VI.   WARRANTY FLOTATION

The floats have a 15 year limited warranty against cracking, peeling, sloughing, and excessive deterioration from ultraviolet rays while retaining resiliency under normal usage. Defects in workmanship are warranted for a period of 1 year.

VII.  WARRANTY DOCK & RAMP STRUCTURE

Decking other than aluminum Dock Plank is covered by the manufacturers warranty. All aluminum products carry a limited lifetime warranty of the aluminum that meets or exceeds Aluminum Association guidelines. The warranty would not apply to abuse or any use other than its original intention.

Ordering Instructions

Please click here to get started with our online quote form.