What Is Storm Drain In Construction?
What Is Storm Drain In Construction?
A storm drain is a system designed to collect and drain excess rainwater and groundwater from paved surfaces, such as streets, parking lots, and roofs. These drains are found in areas with heavy rainfall that can cause flooding and in coastal areas prone to storms.
They may range in size from small residential systems to large municipal systems and are often connected to gutters on buildings and roads. It is important not to dispose of hazardous substances in storm drains, as they may drain into rivers and streams without treatment.
In some cases, storm drains may not be able to handle the volume of water during heavy rains or storms, leading to flooded basements and streets. To prevent this, some areas require detention tanks on properties that temporarily hold runoff during heavy rain and restrict the flow of water into the public sewer.
Some storm drains may also mix stormwater with sewage, either intentionally in the case of combined sewers or unintentionally.
Stormwater drain inlets come in two main types: side inlets and grated inlets. Side inlets are located next to the curb and capture flow through an opening under a back stone or lintel. They are often designed with a depression at the invert of the channel to increase their capture capacity.
Grated inlets have grids or gratings to prevent people, debris, or vehicles from falling into the storm drain. The spacing of the grate bars allows water to flow through but can also allow sediment and small objects to pass through.
If the grate bars are too far apart, the openings may pose a risk to pedestrians, cyclists, and others in the area. Storm drains in streets and parking areas must be strong enough to support the weight of vehicles and are often made of cast iron or reinforced concrete.
Some sediment and small objects may collect in a catch basin or sump located below the outlet, where water from the top of the catch basin flows into the sewer. The catch basin serves a similar purpose to a plumbing trap in trapping objects, but in the United States, it does not necessarily prevent sewer gases like hydrogen sulfide and methane from escaping.
In the United Kingdom, catch basins, also known as gully pots, are designed as true water-filled traps that block the escape of gases and rodents.