Trench drains have many names; channel drains, linear trench drains, trench drain systems, flooring drains, and more. Whatever you choose to call them, they are essential elements in any landscaping project, especially if your space is going to have any form of surface water.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website.
Trench drains are a type of floor drain that has a channel-shaped body that is used for the eradication of surface water. Sometimes, they are also used to hold utility lines or to contain chemical spills in industrial applications.
In landscaping, trench drains will usually have a solid trench grate or cover that is flush with the rest of the landscape. They are long and narrow, with a gentle slope that determines the general direction of the flow of water inside them. Depending on the application and function of the trench drain, their channels can vary significantly in width.
Hardscapes are more prone to runoffs than soft landscapes because there is minimal water absorption. This is why trench drains are particularly useful for hardscape areas, especially when perimeter drains are needed. Typical areas of application include retail stores, parking lots, pools, airports, sports facilities, lawns and gardens, vehicle maintenance facilities, pavements, and spas.
That being said, can trench drains be environmentally friendly?
Trench drains can be environmentally friendly solutions when they are implemented as a form of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems, or SUDS.
SUDS are systems that are designed to manage the drainage of surface water in urban spaces. They work by either slowing down or holding water in place for other natural processes to break down any pollutants in it. SUDS often provide efficient alternatives to traditional drainage systems that involve the drainage of surface water into piped underground drainage systems.
The design of most SUDS includes several connected stages. This is called the treatment train. The more likely the water is to be contaminated, the more stages the treatment train will have.
Therefore, SUDS are beneficial in many ways. They prevent water pollution, reduce the risk of flooding, and recharge underground water levels, preventing drought. Some of them also create green spaces for people and habitats for wildlife in urban areas.
There are several SUDS techniques that can be implemented, including;
Trench drains are therefore only a small part of a larger family of SUDS techniques.
Environmental trench drains should enhance the aesthetic quality of the space they are in, such as a community or urban environment, while at the same time being sustainable.
All sustainable urban drainage systems need to be first considered during the site selection process. They need to capture, use, or absorb rainwater effectively instead of rejecting it as a nuisance. In this way, they can improve the quality of life in that space by making it aesthetically pleasing, resilient and vibrant.
Being sustainable means safeguarding the needs of current users while not impeding the ability of future users to meet their needs. Environmental trench drains achieve this by mimicking natural drainage processes through techniques that help them deal with the surface water locally before releasing it back into the environment.
In their functions, they also improve urban air quality, reduce noise, regulate building temperatures, and free up space for other activities such as recreation. As the cherry on top, they are constructed with environmentally friendly materials using sustainable construction methods and are durable enough to ensure that maintenance resources are not wasted needlessly.
Types of trench drains
There are three broad types of trench drains. With minimal intervention, each of these types can be turned into environmentally friendly versions of themselves:
These are installed on-site. The channel is usually dug by hand, and the trench drain manually put in place. This makes it the most labor-intensive type of trench drain.
These are made off-site, usually in a factory that specializes in this. They come as several separate pieces, which are then transported to the site and laid in place.
A modern variation of precast drains, these systems tend to be very narrow, making use of light materials like fiberglass, plastic, steel, and polymer concrete. To lay them, you have to dig a trench then assemble the channel and the grate within that trench. Concrete will then be poured all around the layout for added structural support, forming the drain.
Benefits of an environmental trench drain with high-quality trench grates
Reduction of ponding. A well-laid trench drain that has a good quality grate will significantly reduce or even eliminate any instances of ponding.
They extend the life of paved surfaces. When water is not left to sit on paved surfaces for too long, its lifespan is almost doubled.
They help reduce slip hazards
They prevent flood damage to property. A well-drained surface is continually getting rid of any water on it, even in instances of flooding. Therefore, any water will not sit on it for too long, preventing flood damage to property.
They improve the usability of the space. This applies to both public users and vehicles, depending on where they have been installed.
Why your choice of trench drain grates is vital for environmental trench drain solutions
Your selection of trench grates will play a critical role in several things, including:
Rapid drainage. The trench grates facilitate the expulsion of the water from the surface. Plus, the bottom of the drain is shaped to increase the velocity of the flow, which also helps in self-cleaning.
Ease of maintenance. Quality trench grates are easy to maintain since the smooth surface does not collect debris.
The negligible absorption of water by the trench drain grates and the internal surface of the channel means it will prevent the collection of bacterial and the seeping of pollutants into the surrounding soil.
Good quality trench drain grates are also chemical resistant, so they will not be eroded by cleaning agents.
What to look for in trench drain grating and channels
There are four main boxes that your trench drain grating and channels must check:
Performance: How much liquid do you expect the channel to intercept at max capacity?
Loading: What loads will be on the grating?
Durability: How long do you expect the system to last?
User requirements: This includes everything from aesthetics, ease of removal and maintenance, and safety issues, such as slip resistance, how prone heels are to getting caught, ease of use for persons with disabilities, and so on.
Types of sustainable drainage systems
There are several types of sustainable drainage systems. As stated earlier, the criteria here is to align modern drainage systems with natural processes. Therefore, they often use components that mimic natural processes to integrate urban drainage systems to the site efficiently.
Here are a few examples:
Swales- Shallow depressions that gather and filter surface water runoff by directing it through soil and surface plants.
Permeable surfaces- These can either be in the form of a porous pavement material or pavement material that has been divided into sections. The idea here is to allow surface water to seep to the soil below.
Wetlands- Perfectly suited for areas that experience large volumes of water runoff, they replicate marshes by gathering and filtering water relying solely on their own ecology to remove pollutants.
Green roofs- Green roofs are landscaped areas on the roofs of buildings. They work by filtering rainwater directly as it falls, reducing the load on other drainage systems.
Drain channel systems- They convey surface and wastewater to a filtration system or sewer. They come in various shapes and sizes, with every one of them designed to perform specialized functions. Here is a closer look at these types:
Types of environmental trench drain channel systems
Runlin supply professional and honest service.
Recommended article:
The 7 Key Factors to Select the Right Industrial Hose
Micro Channel Drain
Micro Channel Drains are perfect for areas that do not need a large amount of water to be drained. They are mostly used for residential applications. The trench channel will be about 1.25" wide.
Mini Channel Drain
Wider than the microchannel drain, they offer a larger surface area of collection. Since they are more visible, they are often customized in many ways, including patterned grates, colored grates, or grates made of unique materials such as brass or plastic. They can be used for both residential and non-residential applications. The average width of the channel is about 2.25".
Standard Channel Drain
Although these are similar to regular trench drains found in a large number of non-residential applications, they stand out as environmentally sound because of the type of trench grate they use. They can have various kinds of environmentally-friendly grates, along with 4&#; wide channels with either flat or slightly sloping bottoms.
Special Channel Drains
There are several different options in this category.
Wide channel drains: These have a greater surface area for drainage than micro and mini channels. They are ideally suited for areas with a considerably more significant amount of water. The broader channels provide much larger carrying capacity for the water while keeping the grates inconspicuous. Used for both residential and non-residential applications, the average width of the channel is about 4.125" wide.
Modular channel drains: These trench drains have interlocking joints and a modular design. Their systems are flexible, and connections are easy and quick to make. You can customize them with various types of grates according to your requirements. They have both residential and non-residential applications.
Sloping trench drains: These drains have a built-in slope to ensure that there is optimal flow throughout the system. They are used for non-residential applications and have customizable grates. Because of their built-in slope, most sloping trench drains are also modular for secure handling, installation, and freight to site.
Final Thoughts
In the end, if you want your trench drain to be environmentally friendly, it must meet all the safety requirements of its users along with sustainability requirements. Coming in a variety of designs that complement the visual appeal of the space they are in is just the cherry on top.
Surface water drainage systems heavily rely on performant channel drains in either plastic (HDPE or PP) or concrete. The channel drain is a crucial part of a drainage system. It also has other names such as trench drain, line drain, slot drain, or drainage channel. A channel drainage system:
- Does not require deep excavation and, in some cases, may remain at ground level
- Requires only a limited number of components, making transportation and installation relatively easy
- Is easy to install and modify if needed
- Eliminates the risks posed by water buildup and stagnant water while being an easy solution with a relatively low cost.
A channel drain system is also long-lasting, easy to maintain, and can help reduce soil erosion. Let's break down the steps and learn how to install channel drains.
The 11 steps needed to complete a channel drain installation:
- Dig a trench for the channels, at least 50mm deep and 100mm wide. The depth and width depends on the use. For example, a driveway drainage channel will require less space than an airport runway channel.
- Attach a string line to show the finishing height of the grate (around 2mm lower than the surrounding surface level).
- Factor in a 5mm fall for every 1m of channel drain length (1:200 ratio).
- Begin the installation of sections at the lowest point (where the section meets the drain). Use any section that requires cutting to length at the highest point, furthest from the drain outlet.
- Connect the channel drains through the connecting slots at the ends of the sections. Install sections with their grates in place to allow for height accuracy against the surrounding surface.
- Fit an end cap to the final section. The end cap should always feature at the highest point.
- Seal joints and end caps with a silicone sealant to improve durability, leak resistance, and performance.
- Attach the section to your underground drainage, allowing collected surface water and/or foul water to disperse.
- Prior to pouring concrete, protect the drainage channel grates with heavy duty masking tape.
- Pour concrete to create a 2mm height difference above the grate section of the drainage channels.
- Wait 72 hours before putting weight on the concrete or moving the drainage channel grates to avoid damaging them.
- The last and extra step is to periodically maintain and clean your drainage channels.
Despite its impactful role in caring for the land around it, people often overlook and underestimate surface water drainage. Failure of drainage systems is a common occurrence. Why do some surface water drainage systems fail?
Occasionally, minor installation errors affect the overall effectiveness of the drainage system. The results can cause stagnant water buildup, water seepage, and eventual flooding. While this can cause significant damage to a building, it can also negatively impact the natural environment surrounding it.
The three most prominent mistakes during channel drain installation:
1 Planning errors
Good planning and knowing the terrain are important for installing channel drainage without any issues. For example, not following the trench size guidelines can lead to the failure of the drainage system.
Common planning mistakes can lead to drainage system failure. Not understanding the substrate or miscalculating the slope can reduce flow rate and cause blockages in the system. Talk with a skilled installer about how to install drainage channels for your specific project.
2 Unsuitable materials
Drainage pipes will experience a significant amount of weight and pressure when used regularly. This is especially true when vehicles pass over them frequently.
When selecting drainage channels, consider their load capacity, potential temperature changes, and the deterioration of channel integrity over time. There is a wide array and a variety of types of channels available. They come in various materials like concrete, plastic, cast iron, ductile iron, or even stainless steel.
Using plastic channel drains where concrete channel drains are necessary may cause the failure of the drainage system. Pay attention to the various types of channel drains and grates and their typical uses. Plastic channel drains have a number of benefits but cannot replace concrete channels where they are needed.
3 Incorrect water flow rate calculation
Incorrect calculation of water output can lead to choosing narrow channels and pipes. These narrow channels and pipes may not efficiently dispose of surface and foul water. As a result, blockages can occur, causing water to seep into the building's walls and structure.
Complying with the guidelines
EN is a European Standard that categorizes drainage channels based on their use and the strength of their grates, and rainwater drainage regulations in the UK follow similar guidelines. The standard applies to both pedestrian and vehicular areas and ensure the creation of a performant surface water drainage system.
SYMBOL
CLASS
DESIGN LOAD
TYPICAL USES
A
A 15
kN 15
Areas used exclusively by pedestrians and cyclists.
B
B 125
kN 125
Pedestrian precincts, light vehicles, private car parks and drives in block paving. This class is for those looking to install driveway drainage on their properties.
C
C 250
kN 250
Parking areas, service stations (cars), and slow moving light commercial vehicles.
D
D 400
kN 400
Public highways, parking areas for all vehicle types.
E
E 600
kN 600
Industrial areas, heavy wheel loads, slow moving Heavy Goods Vehicles and forklifts.
F
F 900
kN 900
Airport runways, very heavy duty industrial and military installations, service yards and lorry parks.
Calculation of the Dakota Group's Pegasus and Taurus drainage channels' flow rates:
Dakota Group is a building materials supplier that serves primarily the EMEA region. As a leading European supplier of building materials, we offer a range of drainage supplies that work together within highly performant systems. We have established ourselves as a reliable drainage supplier, with over four thousand customers that choose the products from our Drain catalogue.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Frp Drain Channel.
Comments
All Comments (0)