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Application Area Façades and Flat Roofs

Drainage of Façades and Flat Roofs

Various standards and guidelines must be taken into account when draining flat roofs, roof terraces, balconies and façades. Surface water penetration due to driving rain, slush formation or splash water can cause major damage to the fabric of buildings. Therefore, precipitation must be safely and quickly drained away from the building. In this context it is important, on the one hand to permanently protect buildings of all kinds from standing or pressurised water and, on the other hand, to ensure the barrier-free construction of entrances and transitions.

The choice of façade channel

Every drainage project is unique. With the right planning and choice of product, every flat roof and façade drainage project will be a success.

There are various technical and constructional specifics in the drainage of façades. For example, the drainage ­system should have a construction width of more than 15 cm, unless the splash water exposure is minimised by a roof. Low installation heights and the correct installation often place high demands on the product to be selected. In addition, the façade channel should be corrosion-resistant, as it is frequently exposed to cleaning solutions.

Challenges in façade drainage

Sealing of substructure areas

The connection height of the sealing to rising structural components should be at least 15 cm above the surface covering or gravel fill. This is to prevent precipitation water from penetrating through the door or window areas in the event of driving rain, slush formation, wind pressure, icing or water accumulation due to blocked drains.

A reduction of the connection height to 5 cm is possible if proper water drainage is ensured at all times and the splash water exposure is minimised. In case of a reduction to below 5 cm and up to 2 cm, a drainage channel or a comparable construction with direct connection to the drainage must be used in the immediate door or window area.

Barrier-free drainage for a penthouse in Wiehl
Drainage of areas under buildings

Sealing of non-substructure areas

Here, too, the sealing should be placed at least 15 cm above the ground surface (access) to prevent rainwater from entering the building or running down behind the sealing. For lower connection heights below 15 cm, direct water drainage in the door area must be ensured and the splash water exposure minimised.

“When it comes to the drainage of façades, balconies and flat roofs, there are standards and guidelines to consider in addition to technical and constructional peculiarities. I would be happy to support you with my many years of experience in the field of façade drainage with all the requirements in your construction project.”

Product comparison for façades and flat roofs
Product comparison for façades and flat roofs
Attribute STEELFIX REGULAR STEELFIX FLEX DACHFIX STEEL DACHFIX POINT DACHFIX RESIST FASERFIX KS RECYFIX PRO
Load class according to EN 1433 Load class according to EN 1433: A 15 Load class according to EN 1433: Load class according to EN 1433: A 15 Load class according to EN 1433: A 15 Load class according to EN 1433: A 15 Load class according to EN 1433: Up to F 900 Load class according to EN 1433: Up to C 250
Load frequency Load frequency: 3 out of 6 Load frequency: 2 out of 6
Load dynamics Load dynamics: 3 out of 6 Load dynamics: 2 out of 6
Nominal width | System size Nominal width | System size: 115, 135, 155, 205, 255 Nominal width | System size: Customised Nominal width | System size: 115, 135, 155, 205, 255 Nominal width | System size: 30/30 & 40/40 Nominal width | System size: 115 Nominal width | System size: 100, 150, 200, 300 Nominal width | System size: 100, 150, 200, 300
Materials of the lower parts Materials of the lower parts: Galvanised or stainless steel Materials of the lower parts: Stainless steel, galvanised steel, corten steel Materials of the lower parts: Galvanised or stainless steel Materials of the lower parts: Galvanised or stainless steel Materials of the lower parts: Recycled composite Materials of the lower parts: Fibre-reinforced concrete Materials of the lower parts: Polypropylene (PP), approx 93 % recycled composite*
Angle housing Angle housing:

Angle housing:

Angle housing:

Angle housing:

 

Angle housing:

Angle housing:

Galvanised steel or stainless steel angle housing with 20 x 20 mm insertion depth

Angle housing:

Recycled composite angle housing with 20 x 20 mm insertion depth

Grating variants Grating variants:

– FIBRETEC design gratings
– Mesh gratings
– Longitudinal bar gratings
– Perforated gratings
⇒ Made of composite, galvanised or stainless steel

Grating variants:

A wide range of gratings with customised bar spacings and surfaces are possible,
e.g.:

  • longitudinal bar grating
  • transverse bar grating
  • perforated grating
  • mesh grating

⇒ Made of galvanised steel, stainless steel

Grating variants:

– Slotted grating
– FIBRETEC design slotted grating
– Mesh grating
– Longitudinal grating
– Perforated grating
⇒ Made of recycled composite, galvanised steel, stainless steel, ductile iron

Grating variants:

– Longitudinal grating
– Mesh grating
⇒ Made of galvanised steel, stainless steel

Grating variants:

– Slotted grating
– Mesh grating
– Longitudinal grating
– Perforated grating
⇒ Made of recycled composite, galvanised steel, stainless steel

Grating variants:

– Reinforced slotted gratings
– FIBRETEC & METROPOLIS design slotted grating
– Perforated grating
– Longitudinal grating
– Mesh grating
– Ductile iron grating
⇒ Made of ductile iron, recycled composite, galvanised steel, stainless steel

Grating variants:

– GUGI gratings made of PA-GF
– Longitudinal grating
– Mesh grating
– FIBRETEC design slotted grating
– Reinforced slotted gratings
⇒ Made of ductile iron, recycled composite, galvanised steel, stainless steel

Accessibility Accessibility: Accessibility:

Accessibility:

Yes

Accessibility:

Yes

Accessibility:

Yes

Accessibility:

Yes

Accessibility:

Yes

Gradient Gradient:

Gradient:

Gradient: Gradient: Gradient: Gradient: Gradient:
Special characteristics Special characteristics:

– Channels in closed design
– Design based on standards & guidelines
– Channels in flat design possible
– Perforation in the base of the drain element – on-site connection

Special characteristics:
  • Removable side panel on the façade side for easy inspection of the pane
  • Channels and gratings can be individually adapted to the project
  • With optional drip tray
Special characteristics:

– Design in accordance with standards & guidelines
– Practical height adjustment
– Channel in shallow design possible
– Easy drainage connection through perforation in the channel bottom

Special characteristics:

– Height adjustment achieved through modular design
– Connection options for cross-intersection channel  and pipe connection

Special characteristics:

– Corrosion-free variant
– Channel in shallow design possible

Special characteristics:

– Boltless quick lock SIDE-LOCK
– 10-fold fastening possibility of the grating per metre

Special characteristics:

– Pre-assembled ready for installation – channel and grating = one component
– Low weight
– Channel body made of (polypropylene) can be easily machined, cut, drilled on site

* Certified with the German eco-label ‘Blue Angel’

References for façades and flat roofs

Custom solutions for special requirements

As an expert for comprehensive rainwater management we also offer you the right solution for special façade drainage requirements such as ventilated façades (base channels), radial channels or removable side walls.

Contact us here

Questions?

Our experienced planning team will be happy to help you.

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Questions?