1. U-Shaped, Non-Grated,
Pre-Engineered Trench Drains
START
www.u-drain.ca
©Norstar Industries 2010 Slide 1 of 30

2. U-Shaped, Non-Grated,
Pre-Engineered Trench Drains
Norstar Industries
Box 119, R.R. 1
Morris, MB R0G 1K0
Course Number: XXXXXX
Learning Units: 1.00
Norstar Industries is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems (AIA/CES). Credit(s) earned
on completion of this program will be reported to AIA/CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA
members are available upon request.
This program is registered with AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or
construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using,
distributing, or dealing in any material or product.
Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.
This presentation is protected by US and International Copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, display and use of the presentation without
written permission of the speaker is prohibited.
©2010 Slide 2 of 30

3. Learning Objectives
At the end of this program, participants will be able to:
• Discuss the evolution of surface methods of drainage
• Evaluate the functional features of u-shaped, single-
slotted, non-grated trench drain systems and compare
them to those of other trench drain systems
• Identify trench drain system components
• Describe design considerations and installation
requirements
©2010 Slide 3 of 30

4. Surface & Floor Methods of Drainage
Brief History of Drainage
As construction materials evolved, simple ditches gave way
to cast-in-place, pre-cast concrete, corrugated slot drains,
polymer concrete trenches, fiberglass trench drains, pre-
engineered HDPE, and LLDPE grated slot drains
©2010 Slide 4 of 30

5. Surface & Floor Methods of Drainage
Traditional Trench Drains
• Cast-in-place
• Pre-cast concrete
• Slotted
• Pre-engineered
©2010 Slide 5 of 30

6. Surface & Floor Methods of Drainage
Non-Grated, U-Shaped, Single-Slotted Drains
• Single slot-style mouth on
top of a formed, u-shaped
base
• No grate required
• Low maintenance
• Sanitary
• Cost effective
©2010 Slide 6 of 30

7. Surface & Floor Methods of Drainage
Drain Materials
• Fiberglass
• HDPE (high-density polyethylene)
• Stainless steel and
galvanized metal
©2010 Slide 7 of 30

8. Surface & Floor Methods of Drainage
Cost Comparison
• Grated, u-shaped drains average $60-70 per lineal foot
(include replacement grates at $15-20 per lineal foot)
• Galvanized u-shaped, single-slotted, non-grated drains
average $40 per lineal foot
©2010 Slide 8 of 30

9. Functions & Features
Aesthetics
• One straight channel with a
single slot profile blends
neatly with surrounding
surface materials
• Clean, crisp lines make it
suitable for a variety of
applications
©2010 Slide 9 of 30

10. Functions & Features
Cleaning
• Pre-engineered slope makes
it a self-cleaning system
• Can be cleaning manually
using:
– drain cleaning paddle
– custom flush valve
– pressure washer
©2010 Slide 10 of 30

11. Functions & Features
Flow
Test results, as determined by the Faculty of Engineering
(civil engineering department) at the University of Manitoba
• The computed flow capacity of a 1” (commercial) slot
opening was 0.040 ft/s or 18 gallons per minute (per
foot of slot)
• The computed flow capacity of a
½” (residential) slot opening
was 0.026 ft/s or 11.4 gallons
per minute (per foot of slot)
©2010 Slide 11 of 30

12. Functions & Features
Structural Capabilities
• Structural capabilities
are in direct relation
to the strength of the
surrounding concrete
• Weight load is
channeled through
the u-shaped drain
and into the concrete
floor
©2010 Slide 12 of 30

13. Functions & Features
Durability
• Used in facilities with
stringent sanitary regulations
(food and beverage industry)
• Durable, easy to clean
• No grates – no components
that break
• Machine placement is not
limited by drain placement
©2010 Slide 13 of 30

14. Applications
Overview
• Car washes, Car dealerships
• Food processing plants
• Farm shops
• Parking lots
• Airport tarmacs
• Municipal buildings
• Ambulance bays
• Aircraft hangars
• Gas stations
• Fire halls
• Any area requiring drainage
©2010 Slide 14 of 30

15. Applications
Commercial Applications
A commercial grade system may be available as 16-gauge,
hot dipped galvanized or stainless steel, in three meter
(3m = 9’ 10”) sections that are pre-sloped .05% (½”)
©2010 Slide 15 of 30

16. Applications
Example: Commercial Application
©2010 Slide 16 of 30

17. Applications
Commercial System Features
• Rebar tie-ins
• Leveling brackets
• Flush valves
©2010 Slide 17 of 30

18. Applications
Commercial System Features
• Sump pit alternatives
• Sump pits
©2010 Slide 18 of 30

19. Applications
Commercial System Features
• Sump pits
Lids
– single inlets
– silt baskets
– lids
Silt basket
Silt basket
Single inlet
©2010 Slide 19 of 30

20. Applications
Commercial System Features
• Sump pits
– "L" flange
– duel inlet
• Oil separator pits
©2010 Slide 20 of 30

21. Applications
Residential Applications
• ADA compliant
• ½" opening
• Two slopes
• Sump pits
©2010 Slide 21 of 30

22. Installation
Factory-Ready
• Components of drain system arrive at the site in
sections, factory-ready, for bolting together
©2010 Slide 22 of 30

23. Installation
Installation: New Construction
• Step 1 • Step 2
Excavate a trench Pre-pour concrete pad
©2010 Slide 23 of 30

24. Installation
Installation: New Construction
• Step 3 • Step 5
Install sump pits Bolt sections together
• Step 4
Secure deepest section
©2010 Slide 24 of 30

25. Installation
Installation: New Construction
• Step 6 • Step 7
Fasten mounting Tie the rebar
brackets
©2010 Slide 25 of 30

26. Installation
Installation: New Construction
• Step 8 • Step 9
Two concrete pours Clean the drain system
©2010 Slide 26 of 30

27. Installation
Retrofitting
New Drain, Existing Floors
• Mark out desired location of new drain and remove
existing drain
• Follow steps for a new installation – dowel into either
side of exposed slab
Replace Existing Drain System
• Remove grates and walls of existing trench drain, and
follow steps for a new installation
• If existing drain walls cannot be removed, and the
existing trench is deep enough, place new drain inside
the trench, secure to desired level, and pour into place
©2010 Slide 27 of 30

28. Conclusion
Conclusion
• Single channel provides
efficient drainage
• Aesthetically pleasing
• Sanitary and durable
• Easy to install and maintain
• Meets structural load-bearing
requirements for even heavy
traffic applications
©2010 Slide 28 of 30

29. Section Title
Course Evaluations
In order to maintain high-quality learning experiences, please access the
evaluation for this course by logging into CES Discovery and clicking on the
Course Evaluation link on the left side of the page.
©2010 Slide 29 of 30

30. Thank you for your time.
Questions?
This concludes The American Institute of Architects
START Continuing Education Systems Course
www.u-drain.ca
©Norstar Industries 2010 Slide 30 of 30