Safe and efficient egress of water from a property or development is a hallmark of good design. Effective management of water, be it stormwater or wastewater, prevents damage to the built-up structure, creates a safe, hazard-free environment for occupants, and eliminates water stagnation and associated health and safety issues.

A smartly-designed trench drainage system addresses all these issues and should be specified based on key considerations such as installation time, cost and ongoing performance as well as surface water management capability, drainage construction and grating selection.

The material used in drain construction plays a critical role in the ongoing performance of the drainage system. Different materials such as cast-in-place concrete, precast polymer concrete and high density polyethylene (HDPE) deliver their unique strengths to the drainage system with varying impact on flow velocity, resilience, installation time and cost.

Drainage construction – material choices

Cast-in-place concrete, for instance, is a traditional method proven for providing an extremely strong drainage solution. However, the disadvantages far outweigh the benefits with the approach not only being labour-intensive and time-consuming but also presenting several limitations including non-locking grates, as well as flat and rough internal surfaces that decrease hydraulic efficiencies and increase debris catchment leading to blocks.

Precast polymer concrete is a popular choice in modern construction projects and combines quality and versatility to save time and guarantee consistency. The polymers, additionally, increase strength and improve chemical resistance. Transportation and handling, however, are major shortcomings with the potential for damage and the need for special lifting equipment.

High density polyethylene or modular HDPE is the latest innovation in drainage systems and is supplied in the form of pre-engineered modular channel sections. Lightweight, smooth and durable with greater flow capacity, drains made from this material not only reduce the time and cost of installation but also offer high chemical resistance in industrial applications.

Grate covers – Australian Standards for load classification and slip resistance

The AS3996-2006 Load Classification for Access Covers and Grates specifies a series of load classifications for drainage grates in vehicular and pedestrian areas, ranging from extra light-duty Class A at 330kg through to extra heavy-duty Class G at 30000kg.

Similarly, AS4586-2013 Slip Resistance Classification of New Pedestrian Surface Materials specifies minimum requirements for grates in areas with expected foot traffic from urban areas and pool and water parks to commercial and industrial areas.

Zurn Flo-Thru trench drain system

The trench drain system from Zurn Australia surmounts all the shortcomings of traditional cast-in-place and precast polymer solutions to deliver multiple advantages including ease of installation and load-bearing strength as well as excellent hydraulics, chemical resistance and structural integrity.

The pre-engineered Zurn Flo-Thru modular trench drain systems combine superior strength and durability to deliver ongoing performance in some of the toughest applications including manufacturing and industrial facilities, parking areas, aquatic facilities, roadside drainage, and food processing and pharmaceutical plants.

Manufactured by Zurn, a leading Australian supplier of specialised plumbing products for over 50 years, Flo-Thru trench drain systems assure significant savings with the lightweight modular assemblies reducing transport, labour and installation costs. The unique design featuring a built-in slope and a smooth, non-porous internal surface enhances the flow characteristics.

The assurance of quality in Zurn Flo-Thru trench drains comes from the modular interlocking channels assembled on site to produce straight, uniform drainage systems. Various optional accessories including heavy-duty steel frames and grates, mechanical interlocking joints, rebar clips, and combination anchor tabs/levelling devices reduce labour during installation, and increase the flexibility of the system to suit unique project requirements.

Call Zurn Australia to find the perfect trench drain solution for your project or download the free whitepaper on the topic here.

Architecture & Design Team

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