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Slotted Drain™ is a unique pipe which removes sheet flow without multiple grades or water channeling devices.
The pipe is cut along a longitudinal axis, and a trapezoidal or straight-sided grate with reinforcing spacer plates is welded to form a 1 3/4 -inch-wide slot opening. The slot collects runoff and channels it to the pipe below from which it flows to the appropriate outlet.
Slotted Drain is fabricated from galvanized steel for excellent durability or from Aluminized Steel Type 2 (ALT2) when more corrosion resistance is required.
The result is a practical, aesthetically pleasing inlet for the removal of surface water on streets, highways, and parking lots. Designers and engineers installing walkways and promenades around sports stadiums, civic centers, shopping malls, parks and other pedestrian-traveled surfaces have used Slotted Drain as an integral part of the landscape architecture.
Unlike typical parking lots that require grades to be sloped in four directions for each storm collection grate, a parking lot with slotted drain requires only one transverse and one longitudinal slope for the entire drainage area. That translates to a lower-cost installation for the contractor and owner; and less stake-out for the engineer. Because of Slotted Drain’s efficiency in removing surface water, fewer collectors and fewer laterals under the roadway are needed.
On roadways and highways, replacing curbs and drain basins with continuous lengths of Slotted Drain opens up an obstruction-free and single grade roadside that greatly enhances the effectiveness of the shoulder to improve safety.
| FEATURES | BENEFITS |
|---|---|
|
Fabricated from Contech Corrugated Steel Pipe |
Structurally sound, supports H-20 loading |
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Intercepts up to 50% more runoff than most standard 2’ x 2’ grate inlets |
Improved drainage efficiency |
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Only one transverse and one longitudinal slope |
Fewer collectors and fewer laterals, lower cost installation |
|
Hazardous dips and ponding grades are eliminated. |
Improved safety |
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Trapezoidal grate |
Fewer debris problems, lower cost maintenance |
Slotted Drain pipe removes sheet flow from aprons, runways, taxiways and deicing areas without multiple grades or water channeling devices. Replacing curbs and drain basins with continuous lengths of Slotted Drain opens up an obstruction-free and single grade runway that greatly enhances the effectiveness of the shoulder to improve safety.
Slotted Drain is a continuous opening inlet that efficiently removes surface water on streets and highways. The grate on a standard 20-foot length of Slotted Drain will intercept up to 50% more runoff than most standard 2’ x 2’ grate inlets. In parking lots, Slotted Drain removes sheet flow without complex multiple grades or water channeling devices like asphalt dikes, berms and curbs.
Slotted Drain™ is a continuous surface drainage system fabricated from corrugated steel pipe with a narrow slot opening welded into the top of the pipe. The slot intercepts sheet flow runoff and channels water into the pipe below for conveyance to an outlet system.
Slotted Drain is commonly used for:
Its continuous inlet design makes it ideal for large, paved surfaces with sheet flow runoff.
Slotted Drain™ collects surface runoff through a continuous slot opening in the top grate. Water enters the slot and flows through the pipe system to a designated outlet or storm sewer connection. Because the opening runs continuously along the pipe length, runoff is intercepted evenly across the drainage area.
Slotted Drain™ offers several benefits over conventional catch basins and grate inlets, including:
The system can intercept up to 50% more runoff than many standard 2' x 2' grate inlets.
Traditional parking lots often require complex grading with multiple directional slopes toward catch basins. Slotted Drain™ allows designers to use only one transverse slope and one longitudinal slope across the paved area, which can:
This simplified grading approach can reduce both construction time and overall project costs.
Slotted Drain™ is typically available in:
Some configurations are also available using ULTRA FLO® pipe profiles.
Slotted Drain™ can be manufactured from:
These coating options allow engineers to select the appropriate corrosion protection and service life for the project environment.
The standard slot opening is approximately 1-3/4” wide. The slot is formed using a trapezoidal or straight-sided grate welded to the pipe crown with reinforcing spacer plates.
Yes. Slotted Drain™ is designed to support heavy traffic loading, including H-20 highway loading and aircraft loading applications. The narrow slot opening and reinforced grate design also improve pedestrian safety compared to traditional open grate structures.
Yes. Slotted Drain™ is widely used in:
Its continuous drainage design improves safety by reducing ponding and eliminating obstructions along paved airfield surfaces.
Slotted Drain™ can replace traditional curbs, berms, and catch basins with a continuous flush-mounted drainage system. This creates:
The continuous drainage design also helps eliminate hazardous dips and standing water.
Slotted Drain™ is highly effective for snow melt runoff because water enters continuously along the drain length. This helps prevent:
Polymer-coated and ALT2 systems are commonly used in regions with heavy deicing salt exposure.
Yes. The trapezoidal grate design helps minimize debris accumulation and maintenance requirements. The continuous slot also reduces the number of isolated collection structures that require cleaning compared to traditional drainage systems.
Available accessories include:
Custom fabricated configurations are also available for site-specific applications.
Heel guards are optional grate modifications used in heavy pedestrian areas to improve walking comfort and safety by minimizing the potential for narrow heels or small objects to enter the slot opening. Heel guards are also ADA compliant for pedestrian traffic in commercial applications.
Slotted Drain™ systems manufactured from Contech HEL-COR® pipe meet applicable portions of:
These standards help ensure structural integrity and long-term drainage performance.
Key advantages include:
These features make Slotted Drain™ a versatile solution for roadway, commercial, pedestrian, and airfield drainage projects.
Our team is ready to provide you with expert advice and assistance on local regulatory requirements, resulting in faster approvals.
Our engineers can review your requirements, weigh all options, and recommend the optimal solution to integrate with your site designs.
Our engineers can assist by providing product specific engineering calculations such as hydraulics, buoyancy, foundation reactions, and unit sizing.
We can quickly provide engineer’s cost
estimates to assist with your solution
selection process.
Our engineers can provide site-specific drawings for proposals, project meetings, and submittals, helping you be more efficient with your time.
Contractors know time is money, so we provide preconstruction meetings, delivery coordination, and on-site installation support to ensure a timely, smooth installation.
