NCE compares crates, pipes and chambers |
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The Opinion piece in the November edition of New Civil Engineer, the prestigious monthly magazine for members of the Institution of Civil Engineers, analyses alternative proprietary attenuation systems. Permeable paving, crates, pipes, and StormTech chambers all come under the microscope, as does ‘Green and Grey’, systems using both ‘green’ vegetative SuDS and ‘grey’ engineered solutions. |
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Permeable Paving A common solution allowing water to pass through the joints between concrete paving blocks to form soakaways. Whilst this system typically has shallow inverts, needs less excavation and provides treatment in the form of filtration and adsorption, it requires regular maintenance to ensure that the joints don’t become blocked, and care must be taken to ensure that wash water doesn’t enter the system. Water companies rarely adopt permeable paving as it serves as a structural pavement. |
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Geocellular Crates Crates can provide efficient volume storage in a limited footprint area. However, they can be difficult to maintain and prone to sediment build-up, reducing flow rates and storage volume. The SuDS Manual recommends upsizing storage capacity by 10% for “difficult to clean” systems. Crates provide no treatment within the tank, and not all crates meet product standards and non-compliant systems may present a greater risk of failure. |
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Large Diameter Pipes A first-generation attenuation solution. The large, single size pipes usually require more transport movements for delivery and storage space on site and larger excavation volumes. No treatment is provided within the tank, and some pipe types do not meet adoption criteria. |
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Arch-Shaped Chambers Systems such as ADS StormTech are lightweight, modular, easy to install, can be fitted around existing infrastructure and operate at shallow depths whilst supporting heavy loads. The system is also compliant with guidance for sewer adoption. StormTech also includes Isolator Row a built-in treatment system that removes sediment and other pollutants – often removing the need for additional upstream treatment devices. |
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Grey and Green Suds Vegetative ‘green’ SuDS (e.g. ponds, swales) can be effective where space is available and pollutant loads are low, but performance may be compromised, particularly if not properly maintained. A hybrid approach combining green and grey infrastructure for higher pollutant loads using StormTech may provide a lower cost, higher performing and lower environmental impact solution. |
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ADS offers comprehensive technical support for design, installation and maintenance, 24/7, 365 days a year. And for further information, why not try our highly rated CPD programme – simply call 0203 442 0607 or email |
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ADVANCED DRAINAGE SYSTEMS |
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StormTech is manufactured by ADS, America's largest manufacturer of thermoplastic corrugated drainage pipes and a specialist in water management systems. StormTech has a long and successful track record with over 50,000 system installations using in excess of 3 million units. |
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