Commercial facility managers have myriad concerns in regards to creating a safe and productive work environment. Chief among these is choosing a drainage system that can adequately remove the plant’s liquid waste. With multiple factors to consider, the following breakdown can help plant managers choose the right drainage solution for their facility.
Know the Existing Drainage Infrastructure
Having the correct drainage system in place is not simply a matter of convenience. In many cases, it is a matter of law. Buildup of water and other types of fluids can lead to mold, bacteria growth, mosquito infestations, and other conditions that pose a public health risk--not to mention the threat that slippery conditions can pose to worker safety.
Therefore, when building or taking over a commercial plant, it is important to ask the following questions regarding the facility’s drainage system:
- Does the ground slope toward or away from the building?
- Is there a drainage system currently in place? If so, what is its condition?
- Can a current system be repaired or upgraded, or does it need to be replaced altogether?
- What budget are you working with?
Understand Your Drainage Needs
Once it has been determined that drainage work needs to be performed on a commercial plant, it is important to have a firm understanding of what type of fluids need to be moved. Drains may be required to move excess water from cleaning equipment, chemical spills in laboratories, or storm runoff in commercial parking lots. Drains may also carry fluids with varying amounts of debris and be subjected to varying temperatures and tensile pressures.
In most cases, a stainless steel drainage system is the ideal choice, as its durable, long-lasting, and chemically stable design makes it an ideal choice for chemical plants, kitchen drainage, and water runoff, as it prevents bacteria from building up and rust from forming. However, materials such as cast iron, galvanized steel, plastic, and high-density polyethylene can also be solid choices depending on the location of the plant and the type of stress to which the drainage system will be subjected.
Estimate Peak Flow
In a perfect world, the slot drain in a commercial plant would be as small and inconspicuous as possible. However, it must be able to handle the influx of fluids during a plant’s period of peak flow.
Peak flow can be a bit difficult to predict. For most industrial plants, peak flow will come at inconsistent times, usually centered around when a major reservoir is drained or a large piece of equipment is cleaned, with drainage systems designed to intake the volume of water deposited at these times.
For exterior areas, weather can be even more unpredictable. To help form an accurate estimate of potential runoff, scientists use a process known as the rational method to arrive at a figure and create a runoff system to accommodate the estimated volume.
Find the Perfect Slope
The slope is an essential element of a drainage system for a couple of reasons. First, it helps determine how quickly fluids will flow through the drains. Faster-moving drains with steeper slopes are recommended for plants where clogging is a concern, such as for kitchens and meat processing plant drainage. However, drainage with a steeper grade can be more difficult to install, as it will require the system to go further underground, and the faster speeds of flowing fluids have more potential to cause damage if they are emptying into an old or compromised sewage system.
Calculate the Correct Width
The surface area of the drain’s grate openings must be sufficient to accept the required volume of water during times of peak flow. However, the drain cannot be too wide, as a slope of insufficient grade will not be able to move fluids fast enough to prevent a backup.
As such, your installation professional will use a combination of the following factors to determine the width of your trench drain:
- Mathematical formula to estimate the required gallons per minute at times of peak flow
- The slope of the trench to determine how quickly the fluids will be moved
- Material used in the trench, as heavy flow is more likely to damage weaker materials
Ensure ADA Compliance
Many building managers are fully aware of the common ADA issues confronting their building and are quick to ensure that the facility has ramped entryways, designated parking areas, spacious bathroom stalls, and elevator access. However, managers of commercial plants also need to be aware that their drainage system must also be ADA compliant.
Drains that use a grate system have very clear ADA grate standards. All floor grates must have openings no larger than half an inch in width, with the longer side of the grate openings running perpendicular to the direction of the pathway.
To help mitigate these concerns and ensure ADA compliance, it is a good idea for commercial plants to consider the benefits of a grateless slot drain system. These pre-sloped trench drains are completely level with the floor and present no impediment for people with disabilities.
Choosing the Right Drainage Solution for a Commercial Plant
An optimal drainage system is an important component of creating a safe and compliant work environment. Knowing the existing drainage infrastructure, understanding the needs of the facility, estimating peak flow, finding the perfect slope, calculating the correct width, and ensuring ADA compliance are among the most vital considerations when choosing the right drainage solution for a commercial plant.
Max Shafer is a contributor to the Innovative Building Materials blog. He is a content writer for the construction and home improvement industries with an interest in landscaping, outdoor remodeling, and interior design. Max is focused on educating homeowners, contractors, and architects on innovative materials and methods of construction that increase property value, improve sustainability, and create a warm and welcoming ambiance.
