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An overview of drainage channel systems

Heavy rainfall, climate changes and unpredictable weather patterns are impacting the way we control surface water. Drainage channel systems are becoming an important element for groundwork infrastructure. These systems are designed to quickly and effectively remove surface water from a variety of application areas to help prevent flooding or standing water.

HAURATON has over 65 years of experience in surface water management and understands the significance of implementing an effective and reliable surface drainage system. With an extensive range of linear drainage systems, rainwater treatment channels, point drainage and grating options, be assured that HAURATON has a suitable solution for any project.

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What types of drainage systems are there?

What you need to know about surface drainage solutions and their individual benefits:

Linear drainage

Entwässerungsrinne im Europaviertel in Frankfurt

The terms line drain or linear drainage are used when referring to drainage channels. This has an enclosed channel gully with a grating or slot inlet at surface level. Several drainage channels are installed together in one channel run to collect, transport and discharge surface water into underground sewer networks, sustainable drainage systems or other local water systems.

Advantages of linear drainage:

  • Achieves efficient intake, drainage and transmission of surface water with a continuous interception along the channel run

  • Provides effective drainage for large catchment areas with a quick, easy and cost-effective installation

  • Simple and practical to clean and maintain: allows full access with low long-term maintenance costs

  • High-quality aesthetic appearance; system features can add design value

Slot drain

Slotted channel installed at orchestra hall-katowice poland

While slotted channels sit under the same umbrella as drainage channel, there is a slight difference. Slot drains have discrete slot inlets at the surface interface rather than a grating. This achieves an aesthetic appearance, whilst still ensuring full drainage intake capacity.

  • Neat and precise lines sit discreetly within the surface

  • High visual aesthetics

Point drainage

Point drainage systems installed in paved surface

With point drainage, surface water is drained at the lowest point of the catchment area and discharged into the underground piping. Point drains are often used when there is a natural gradient on-site.

The following applies to point drainage:

  • Surfaces require grading to individual point drains

  • Groundwork is generally more complex and pipework deeper underground

  • Surface interception is limited to one point

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Key Visual infinite possibilities for drainage

Drainage solutions from HAURATON for every application area

Concrete drainage channels: FASERFIX

Image of the FASERFIX drainage range from HAURATON
FASERFIX channels at a glance

Since the early 1960s, HAURATON has been manufacturing a special formulation of concrete drainage channels. The FASERFIX product range has become well-known for its extreme stability, durability and high level of resistance. They are often utilised on surfaces subject to heavy traffic and corrosive environments.

  • Channel body made of fibre-reinforced concrete: withstands extreme loads and dynamic forces, up to F 900 loading class.

  • Class 1A (non-flammable) fire rating – DIN 4102

  • Gratings are fitted with a SIDE-LOCK boltless locking system: 90% savings in grating install time

  • Design flexibility: a range of channel sizes and grating options

Visual installed image of FASERFIX KS
FASERFIX KS

Suitable for medium to heavy-duty locations including warehouses, petrol stations, industrial yards and car parks.

Visual installed image of FASERFIX SUPER
FASERFIX SUPER

Ideal for locations subject to heavy-duty traffic imposing dynamic forces including airport runways and taxiways, docks, warehouses, industrial units and parking areas subject to heavy traffic such as lorries and forklifts.

Interested in our fibre-reinforced concrete drainage channels? Get in touch with our drainage experts to discuss your project further.

Step-by-step guide working with FASERFIX drainage channel

Instructions for a successful installation of FASERFIX

Drainage channels made of recycled composite: RECYFIX

Image of the RECYFIX drainage channels from HAURATON
RECYFIX channels for different applications

Manufactured from 100% recycled composite, RECYFIX channels are extremely durable despite being lightweight. The drainage channels can be installed within a range of applications from public spaces to industrial yards.

  • Eco-friendly: made from recycled polypropylene (PP)

  • Corrosion-free: UV stable with high resistance to frost, de-icing salts and chemicals

  • Lightweight: easy to handle on-site and complies with one-man-lift regulations

  • Design flexibility: a variety of sizes, widths (including monolithic units) and grating options

Visual installed image of RECYFIX PRO
RECYFIX PRO

Recycled composite channel with a heelsafe grating ideal for application areas such as car parks, school grounds, railway platforms and public spaces.

Visual installed image of RECYFIX PLUS
RECYFIX PLUS

Recycled composite body with a heelsafe ductile iron grating for application areas requiring a durable and aesthetic finish, such as car parks, commercial units and pedestrian zones.

Visual installed image of RECYFIX MONOTEC
RECYFIX MONOTEC

Monolithic system manufactured from 100% recycled composite material designed for maximum capacity, safety and security with a slim channel cross-section. Installed in areas such as car parks, retail parks, commercial areas and more.

Visual installed image of RECYFIX SLOT DRAIN
RECYFIX SLOTTED

Recycled composite body with a galvanised or stainless steel slotted inlet for design-sensitive applications such as public spaces, urban landscapes, commercial and historical buildings.

Visual installed image of RECYFIX NC
RECYFIX NC

Recycled composite channel body fitted with ductile iron grating suitable for heavy-duty applications up to class E 600 such as commercial areas, industrial yards and petrol stations.

Visual installed image of RECYFIX HICAP
RECYFIX HICAP

Recycled composite channel body with a ductile iron slot drain inlet for high-capacity drainage, storage and discharge in areas up to F 900 loadings such as airports, container terminals, logistics parks and industrial areas.

Step-by-step guide of working with RECYFIX drainage channels

Instructions for a successful installation of RECYFIX

All of HAURATON’s drainage channel systems are tested to recognised industry standards in international markets; fully comply with DIN EN 1433 and carry the CE Mark for consistent quality.

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Components of a drainage channel system

Visual of channel body component
Channel body

This component provides collection, storage and discharge of surface water from a given catchment area. Channels are generally available in concrete, composite materials and steel (galvanised or stainless).

There are a variety of channel types, widths, depths and configurations available. The selection of which drainage channel system is most suitable depends on hydraulic and project requirements.

Visual of a grating
Gratings

Gratings sit on top of the channel body at the surface level and come in various inlet openings that allow surface water to drain into the channel.

They are available in a range of load ratings (EN 1433), styles (mesh, slotted, decorative etc), materials (ductile iron, stainless steel, recycled composite etc) and colours.

Channel gratings can enable protection from dirt and debris (e.g. litter, leaves, sand, stones etc) to reduce maintenance and prevent system blockages.

There are numerous factors that can help determine the right specification of the grating; such as environmental influences, application area (pedestrian – heelsafe or vehicle traffic) the frequency and overall visual aesthetics.

Trash box from HAURATON
Trash box and outlet options

There are a variety of methods to connect linear drainage systems to an underground pipe system.

End-cap outlets provide horizontal connection to pipework, with the pipe diameter used associated with hydraulic requirements and channel size. Simple pipe connections can be made from the channel base and side walls, with pre-formed knockout sections easily removed for speed of installation.

Modular trash boxes and gullies provide extra capacity for storage of water before discharging into the pipe network. Sediment buckets are incorporated to capture and retain waste and debris, preventing this from entering and blocking the pipe system. A variety of pipe sizes and connection points are included within the design for speed and ease of installation.

End cap for drainage system
End caps

End caps provide the installer with a quick and simple method to close the end of channel runs.

HAURATON provides a fully modular system solution with accessories designed to achieve a quick and easy installation and effective integration with the local drainage network. Get in touch to discuss your requirements.

Drainage channel gratings

HAURATON offer individual grating options that come in a variety of loads, sizes, materials and styles. They are also compatible with a range of drainage channels depending on your project requirements.

 

FIBRETEC grating top view of colours
FIBRETEC gratings

The award-winning FIBRETEC gratings are made from recycled composite (polypropylene) and come in a range of colours (fern, sand, stone and black) which gives your project total design flexibility. RECYFIX MONOTEC comes as a complete unit with an integral FIBRETEC grating.

Visual image of METROPOLIS
METROPOLIS grating

METROPOLIS grating is a decorative style grating that can give any project the chance to use the drainage as a design feature. It is made from ductile iron, with an anti-corrosion black KTL-coated (CDP) finish and has a loading capacity of up to D 400.

How do I know which is the right drainage channel solution?

Various criteria determine the size, type and design features required for a drainage channel used in a specific project, including hydraulic design parameters (rainfall intensity, catchment area size, gradient, surface material etc), load class and durability requirements.

A drainage channel system selected for use in an industrial yard will have different characteristics compared with a system installed in an urban landscape area.

What is the surface going to be trafficked by?

Critical to the correct system selection is the assessment of traffic type and load rating. Guidance is provided by the European Standard EN 1433, which defines load class criteria with vehicle types and application areas. Learn more about load classes.

Is rainwater treatment necessary?

There may be surface pollutants (hydrocarbons, harmful metals, fine particles) in some locations that may require close-to-source treatment of surface water run-off, before it’s released into natural watercourse, SuDS or local sewer networks.

HAURATON provides a dedicated solution (DRAINFIX CLEAN) that filters and removes harmful pollutants from surface water. Get in touch to find out more.

How big is the catchment area and what is the surface material?

For accurate hydraulic calculation of channel runs, catchment area size and type surface material (e.g. concrete, asphalt, paving units etc) is required.

What rainfall intensity value should we use?

Using accurate and appropriate rainfall data is important to determine the hydraulic requirements of the drainage channel system including the width, depth and configuration of the channel run.

The rainfall intensity rate used to size and design the channel run should be decided by the project engineer taking into consideration the type of project and how quickly surface water needs to be drained from the surface.

Hydraulic calculation software on laptop at construction site

Hydraulic design software

Are there any visual requirements for the drainage system?

Depending on the area of application, the aesthetic appearance of the drainage system may be important. The linear detail of the channel run may be used as a design feature on the surface by using coloured or decorative gratings to complement the surroundings.

On the other hand, in today’s modern design style channel drainage can often be required to also be discreet. Therefore, slotted channels may be more suited.

How corrosive is the environment?

Local environments may be corrosive which can include humid and saline conditions, ground sulphates, strong UV radiation, high or low climate temperatures, sand-storm abrasion, fuels, oils or other chemicals.

Drainage systems should be selected to withstand such extreme conditions depending on the application area (e.g. coastal locations).

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