Drainage Terms Glossary
The Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA for short, is a civil rights law originally signed in 1990. This Act was created to help protect American individuals that have disabilities from any form of discrimination. While a large part of the anti-discrimination policies that the ADA implements are concerned with ensuring people with disabilities have an equal chance at jobs and public services, they also cover a number of other areas. Overall accessibility is another major factor covered by the ADA.
Our drainage can be designed to meet the requirements of ADA. Please discuss with our experts your ADA requirements.
American National Standards Institute manages the standardization of processes, which includes drainage products and defines the load classes requirements. Our drainage has been tested to exceed the requirements of food facilities, and meet Special Duty load rating. Please contact us with any questions in regards to load requirements.
Microorganisms that can cause illness. Bacteria can grow in unsanitary drainage systems. A properly designed sanitary system will mitigate the risk of harmful bacteria that can often accumulate in drainage systems.
In a channel drain, a bottom outlet enables the flow to exit below the drainage system, removing any standing water. Schedule 40 pipe is commonly connected to the bottom outlet, but can be designed to fit other sizes if required. At Food Safe Drains bottom outlets are standard, but can easily accommodate a side outlet to meet your project’s requirements.
Catch basins are drains used to divert water in order to prevent flooding and are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. Catch basins can be found just about anywhere you might find drainage systems. Our Slot Drain Systems, Trench Drain Systems are compatible with our sanitary Catch basin. Not only does this provide a way to remove excess water, it helps with maintenance, cleaning and clog-prevention. Featuring an optional Tamper-proof locking mechanism, Strainer basket and Tri-Clamp Lid.
Looking for a trusted professional to install FoodSafe Drains? Our network of certified installers covers North America. Our certified installers have been carefully selected and have completed specialized training to make sure any project install a success.
Please talk to your sales representative about getting connected with one of our trusted partners.
As it relates to drainage systems, channels refer to the vehicle in which water and other fluids are directed. There are many related terms including trough, strip drains, gutter, canal, gully or simply, trench drains. Our channels are made exclusively of Stainless Steel providing you with durability and peace of mind for years to come.
In the food industry it is important for the drainage system to endure harsh chemicals and extreme temperatures. In the Food & Beverage industry, Stainless steel is the most durable material and should always be considered.
Simply put, a food facility CIP system is a cleaning system that is used to clean the interior surfaces of pipes, vessels, and tanks. What makes a CIP system so unique is that the cleaning process can be done not only without disassembling equipment but also without actual manual labor.
When drains are used in commercial applications requiring special considerations. Our systems meet sanitary requirements that may be imposed by state and local governments. From harsh chemicals to extreme temperature, have peace of mind knowing that your system will hold up strong. Let us help you with your next project.
All of our drainage can be customized to ensure the perfect solution is met for your project. Our experts can recommend the right products and our in-house engineering department can ensure any performance or technical questions are answered. Feel free to contact us to get started on our next project.
All our design files can be supplied for your specifications. Simply put in a request and we can provide you with the required files. We can provide you with drawings in the following formats:
- CAD – Computer-aided design (CAD) drawings are available for any architecture plans.
- BIM – Building information modeling (BIM) files are available to fit the needs of any of your projects.
- ReVIT – .rvt files are available for your next project
DIN is used to represent the German Institute for Standardization. Drainage companies primarily follow these weight load standards (Load Class ratings) when specifying drain systems.
In drainage systems, the load class refers to the weight of the moving traffic. Pedestrian traffic is classified as Load Class A, while highway traffic and air traffic at major airports is classified as Load Class F. Refer to this chart for more information.
- Load Class A – 3,372 lbs Pedestrian traffic
- Load Class B – 28,100 lbs – Suitable for sidewalks, driveways, small private parking lots.
- Load Class C – 56,200lbs – Heavy duty pedestrian traffic, occasional use by domestic and light duty commercial vehicles
- Load Class D – 89,920lbs – Commercial projects, public pedestrian areas, slow moving vehicles.
- Load Class E – 134,800lbs – industrial areas, light commercial forklifts
Load Class F – 202,320 lbs – airports, dock, industrial applications, fast moving traffic on highways, etc.
Open trench drain channels need to be covered while still allowing water to pass effectively. Drain grates are made to do that, all drain grates are designed to custom fit trench drain systems. FoodSafe Drains provides custom stainless steel grate options for trench drain systems.
A trench drain or slot drain end cap is a solid stainless steel plate that can be attached at the channel section’s end. Some end caps will have an opening for connecting Schedule 40 pipe or other fixtures.
The term floor drain is used in many different ways in the industry. Although the term is quite broad, the purpose is the same for all types of floor drains. The main objective is to keep an area free of pooling water. Water can be diverted or redirected from any space by means of various drain types, ensuring the water is effectively removed from the area.
Flow rate is the measurement of how many gallons of water can enter the drain body per minute. Flow rate is often referred to at Gallons Per minute (GPM). Additionally, planners should factor in the diameter and location of the outlet, as this can have a dramatic effect on how much water is discharged. Our experts can work with you to understand your flow requirements.
The Flush Flo™ system connects to a water line and can be operated with a timer or flushed manually. Flush Flo™ is especially suitable for facilities that require frequent cleaning, such as food processing plants, car washes, seafood markets, etc.
Floor drainage should be safe for all kinds of traffic. Whether its pedestrian traffic or forklifts passing over the channels, your drains need to handle the demand. Food Safe Drains provides strong and durable drains built to withstand forklift traffic for the life of the drains.
Almost all of our drains have a Load Class rating of E which is more than adequate for all food and beverage applications. If you have any special load class requirements, please contact us and we will be happy to help.
A factor of flow rate, GPM is the measurement of how many gallons of water should flow per minute. This is typically specified for drain systems. Additionally, planners should factor in the diameter and location of the outlet, as this can have a dramatic effect on how much water is discharged. Our experts can work with you to understand your flow requirements.
Zinc is applied to iron or steel so that it can be protected against rusting. Although galvanized metals are protected against rusting, they will eventually rust over time. Environmental conditions play a major role in how quickly rust occurs. Galvanized steel is often offered as a cost-effective alternative to stainless steel.
When it comes to the food and beverage industry, stainless steel should always be used.
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) is a system that ensures that the goods produced by various manufacturing facilities are consistently produced and controlled according to specified quality standards. There are GMP systems for everything from cosmetics to pharmaceutical products to, of course, food. A sanitary drainage system can help facilities meet best practices.
In the drainage industry, HDPE is a type of plastic commonly used. It is typically used in lightweight applications, with generally lower load ratings and the inability to clean, this type of material is not advised in the Food & Beverage industry. Stainless Steel is the only suitable material for a sanitary Food & Beverage facility.
Certain projects or areas require a lot of water and or volume to be discharged. The concept of a high capacity system refers to both a high flow rate of runoff as well as the amount of water that can be redirected. When considering which drainage system to use, Gallons Per Minute (GPM) is the unit of measure. Our team can help you decide on the best solution for your needs.
When hygienic and easy to materials are required, stainless steel systems are ideal for food and beverage facilities. Our drainage has a smooth surface, that greatly reduces the chance of becoming contaminated with harmful microorganisms and bacteria. Chrome-containing steels such as stainless steel resist tarnishing and rusting. Health and hygiene regulations often mandate the use of stainless steel. Most commonly, sanitary drains are found in breweries, wineries, food processing plants, dairies, chemical plants, and pharmaceutical plants. For all food and beverage applications, standard 304 stainless steel provides good resistance to chemicals and heat. If required, 316 stainless steel is available and can be used in any application.
An intersection of two drainage channels or accessories in a trench drain is called a joint. Channel sections can be easily connected by the flanges and provide a permanent seal.
Generally, the amount of time it takes for a trench drain product to become available refers to its lead time. Many of our products are customized and do require some time for production. If you have a date needed, please advise when requesting a quote.
With our specialized accessories, you can ensure access to your system is limited to people you trust. Using our magnetic lock and key system, the strainer can only be removed by individuals with access to our specialized key. Your drains stay free of blockages leaving you a layer of additional protection.
Metal grates are made from stainless steel and are compatible with many styles of trench drains. Careful planning is required for your trench drains, ensuring that load requirements are considered in the design.
In a drainage system, an outlet is the point at which water exits. It is common for outlets to be located on the side of a drainage channel or through an opening in the bottom or an open end cap.
Ensure steel drainage is passivated. Passivation is a process which is used to fully restore the all important oxide layer that naturally occurs on stainless steel, but is destroyed on welded joints. Without this layer, stainless steel ceases to be corrosion resistant and that can affect a product lifespan and create safety risks.
A type of grate that can be used with many styles of trench drain. Perforated grates are often used in outdoor applications and can be customized with multiple patterns giving a decorative appeal. Patterns are cut out of a solid metal piece, providing adequate drainage.
In a drainage system, an outlet is a point at which water exits. It is common for outlets to be located on the side of a drainage channel or through an opening in the bottom or an open-end cap.
There are two kinds of drainage systems: straight/neutral and pre-sloped. In order to achieve a slope, there are several possible configurations.
At FoodSafe drains, we offer both types of drainage systems. Slot Drain Systems is a completely pre-sloped system, eliminating standing water and providing easy installation, designed with a built-in slope. Many of our trench drain systems come with neutral sections and can be installed accordingly for any project.
Our team is happy to discuss your project and the right drainage for your applications.