When choosing the right outdoor trench drain one of the most important factors to consider is load rating or how much weight is expected to be applied on the drain.
Load Rating is classified into 5 major categories:
Class A
Class B
Class C
Class D
Class E
The load rating will assist in determining the appropriate grate material, whether it be cast iron, ductile iron, galvanized steel or polymer. Trench drains can also be coupled with frames to increase the load capacity.
Site requirements consist of things like Slot Style. Does the drain need to be ADA or heel proof? Do the grates need to be coated because of the use of caustic chemicals, snow melt, acids or extreme temperatures. Stainless steel is generally used in areas with high temperature fluctuations and caustic chemicals. It makes the ideal choice for brewery applications. Galvinized steel is suitable for outdoor weather conditions as it’s less likely to rust compared to cast iron.
User Requirenments consist of features particular to an application. For example in areas where theft is an issue or airports most grates are bolted for extra security. User requirements can also be customized such as large trench depths and custom slope designs.
Weather plays a role when selecting the right grate and channel material. Hdpe is a good channel choice as it holds up well against freeze and thaw cycles. Galvinized steel is a good grate choice as it doesn’t oxidize in cold weather conditions or with snow melt.
Slope is the pitch of the trench drain run. Common slopes range from no slope, or neutral slope to .5% to 2%.. Slopes can also be customozied where some sections are more aggressive than other areas. The NDS Dura Slope has a customizable sloped design with a .5% built in slope. For most outdoor trench drain applications, .5% is the go to pitch.