With an expansive range of options, it can be difficult to select the right channel drain for your project. Picking the wrong drain can lead to problems later on, so selecting the right option the first time is essential. This guide hopes to make the question of how to select the right channel drain much easier to answer.
Table of contents
- How to select the right channel drain weight class
- How to select the right channel drain grating
- How to select the right channel drain brand
How to select the right channel drain weight class
Your primary consideration should be how much weight the channel drains are going to be supporting. This is described below as the ‘maximum weight load’. If the project involves a driveway, then a lighter-duty channel is a sufficient option. However, you will need to choose a heavier-duty drain if it is going to be supporting heavy traffic such as lorries.
Below are the official ratings for each class of channel drain.
| Class | Max. weight load (tonnes) | Uses |
| A15 | 1.5 | Very light duty, pedestrian areas like gardens, patios and driveways |
| B125 | 12.5 | Domestic driveway thresholds for family cars, vans and 4x4s |
| C250 | 25 | Lightly trafficked roads and small private car parks |
| D400 | 40 | Main roads, highways and high traffic areas such as public car parks |
| E600 | 60 | Industrial estates, loading bays and cargo handling yards |
| F900 | 90 | Docks and airports, extreme heavy duty applications |
You should always think carefully about which weight class to choose based on all potential future applications. For example, a B125 channel drain may be suitable for a regular driveway, but if heavier vehicles such as delivery lorries or waste disposal trucks will be passing over the drain as well, a D400 class would have to be considered to prevent breakages.
How to select the right channel drain grating
Drainage Superstore offers a large selection of channel drain gratings. Again, the first thing to consider is the weight rating. Putting an A15 grate on a channel drain will only provide support for up to 1.5 tonnes of weight. Make sure that the right grating is used for the job!
Another thing to think about is that each grating is brand specific. For example, an ACO grate can only fit onto an ACO channel drain, so you will need to be aware of compatibility when trying to mix and match. Also, make sure that you take note of the drain grate widths, as they are not all universal and will not fit into all drains.
How to select the right channel drain brand
There are a number of recognised channel drain brands available, including ACO, Clark-Drain, DEKS and Hauraton. The brand you choose is less important than making sure you have the right weight class and size of the drain. Different brands offer different styles and looks of drainage. Make sure to browse our range for the best solution for your project.
If you want to know how to install an ACO drain, you can find out how to via our dedicated guide.
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