The Complete Specifier’s Guide to Linear Drainage eBook 2018

Table of ConTenTs

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4-5 Grate expectations The Essential Guide for the Modern Drainage Project

6-7 the expert’s Guide to WaterproofinG For Linear Drainage Installations

8-9 meet the threshold Seamless Solutions for your Drainage Project

10-11 GettinG on the Green Elegant Drainage Design Meets Eco-friendly Technology

12-13 Grate cares An Expert Drainage Solution Tailored for Today’s Aged Care Industry

14-15 specifYinG BalconY drainaGe sYstems In Multi-residential Design

16-17 specification Guide To Pool area drainage

18-19 cheap, not cheerful The Pitfalls of Investing in Low-grade Drainage

20-21 plaYinG BY the rules Compliance of Regulations and Why it Matters

22-23 tips to avoid a tilinG disaster

24-25 FORM AND FUNCTION Current Trends in Bathroom Design

26-27 DRAINAge seleCTION gUIDe 15 Common Application Areas

28-29 HOw pROpeR plANNINg CAN sTOp yOUR pROjeCT Going Down the Drain

Grate expeCTaTions The Essential Guide for the Modern Drainage Project

Drainage is a critical component of any construction project. Its function is simple but crucial: to enable safe, efficient, and reliable water usage and subsequent removal thereof from the property. Improper drainage can wreak untold havoc on a structure, with leaks and water ingress responsible for damage spanning from weakened structural foundations to mould and pest growth and damage to wall and floor linings.

In their whitepaper Grate Expectations: The Essential Guide for the Modern Drainage Project, architectural drainage experts Stormtech emphasise the importance of the proper specification and selection of drainage systems and outline

best practice for designers and specifiers.

The whitepaper considers the main contexts in which linear drainage is required: bathrooms, outdoor spaces, threshold zones, and balconies. It then sets forth the key considerations for each of these spaces, and explains the ways in which a successful drainage solution can be ensured.

For more than a quarter of a century, Stormtech have been one of Australia’s most respected manufacturers and suppliers of architectural drainage solutions. Their high quality products are bolstered by an unwavering commitment to eco-friendly design, fitness for purpose, and outstanding customer service.

Learn more about best practice drainage specification for contemporary construction projects

www.stormtech.com.au

The Essential Guide for the Modern Drainage Project

Grate Expectations

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Learn more about linear drainage installation and best practice for

specifying failsafe waterproofing systems

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the expert’S GuiDe to WaterproofinG For Linear Drainage Installations

As the trend toward ultra-sleek, minimalist design continues, linear drains have emerged as the preferred drainage solution. Across the country, design and construction professionals are using linear drains as a means of achieving streamlined, adaptable, and elegant drainage that does not compromise on functionality. Unfortunately, however, inconsistent – and sometimes contradictory – construction standards mean that all too often, home and building owners are left to deal with the aftermath of substandard lineal drainage installations.

In their whitepaper, The Expert’s Guide to Waterproofing for Linear Drainage Installations, architectural drainage experts Stormtech underscore the critical importance of quality

waterproofing and the potentially disastrous consequences of its failure.

Following a thorough background on the role of waterproofing and the relevant Australian standards, the whitepaper takes a closer look at linear drainage and the unique performance requirements associated with this installation type. It then outlines 9 ways – including product recommendations and installation tips – to ensure failsafe waterproofing for linear drains. With more than 25 years’ experience as Australia’s leading linear drainage manufacturer and supplier, Stormtech is more than qualified to provide advice on tailored drainage solutions and appropriate waterproofing provisions.

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meeT The threShoLD Seamless Solutions for your Drainage Project

Carefully managed thresholds do more than connect indoor and outdoor living spaces. Done correctly, thresholds can deliver unimpeded access for mobility-impaired occupants and eliminate the trip hazard posed by step-down transitions.

Equitable Access Design

Australia’s Access and Mobility code (AS1428) requires a ‘continuous accessible path of travel [that does] not include a step, stairway … or [any] other impediment’. By integrating drains into the door-track, the threshold drain provides an unbroken path between internal and external surfaces, allowing uninhibited movement. Making the Threshold Waterproof Compliant

The threshold must comply with the requirements of both internal and external waterproofing standards (AS- 3740 & AS-4654),

which mandate that the threshold drain must be manufactured with 3316 marine grade stainless steel and incorporate a substrate areas supported by waterproof membranes that meet the strict requirements of AS/NZS 4858 (Wet Area Membranes).

Threshold as a Trendsetter

The increasing popularity of open-plan living is dissolving the traditional barriers between indoor and outdoor spaces. In the push to harmonise these once discrete environments, designers must find creative ways to integrate practical building elements seamlessly into the design fabric. Threshold drains provide the ideal means to integrate high-quality drainage into low-impact organic design, creating a seamless link between indoor and outdoor environments. The whitepaper also provides advice on choosing the ideal threshold design for any drainage project.

Learn more about seamless drainage solutions for your projects

www.stormtech.com.au

A Seamless Solution for Your Drainage Project

Meet the Threshold

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GettinG on the Green Elegant Drainage Design Meets Eco-friendly Technology

A new whitepaper from Stormtech explains the need for more eco-friendly drainage solutions to reduce the pollution entering Australia’s waterways.

The whitepaper ‘Getting on the Green: Elegant Drainage Design Meets Eco-Friendly Technology’ examines how Australia’s building industry has adapted rapidly to consumer demand, adopting rigorous standards set by the country’s peak eco-building bodies.

The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) provides critical benchmarks for ecologically responsible building in Australia with its renowned Green Star rating system offering the most reliable measure of operational performance for Australian buildings.

The white paper also briefly explores the principles and best practice of water-sensitive urban design (WSUD), which works with communities to ensure planning, design, construction and retrofitting of urbanised landscapes are more sensitive to the natural water cycle.

Stormwater runoff, for instance is a major contributor to the degradation of Australia’s catchments as it significantly alters the nutrient balance, and the presence of pollutants in the natural water table, with severe consequences for waterways that sustain crucial natural ecosystems.

Poor drainage can have serious consequences outside the home with the excess water saturating the soil, degrading landscaped areas, and attracting insects or rodents. Prolonged water exposure can even erode concrete and building foundations.

An effective WSUD solution, incorporating high-quality drainage, can greatly minimise the erosive effect of water flows around the property, mitigating common issues associated with excessive rainfall, soil erosion and flooding.

The white paper also covers Stormtech’s high quality, eco-friendly and elegant drainage systems for residential and commercial properties, especially the Level A GreenTag certification and WSUD design.

Learn more about eco-friendly design solutions for your projects

stormtech.com.au

Elegant Drainage Design Meets Eco-Friendly Technology

Getting on the Green

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Grate careS An Expert Drainage Solution Tailored for Today’s Aged Care Industry

As the Australian population continues to age, and the popularity of aged care facilities increases, designers must face the realities of designing for users aged 65 and over. Age related impairments including diminished sight, hearing, ambulatory movement, and balance must now be carefully taken into account at all stages of the design and construction process, and in all parts of a building. This is particularly true in bathrooms and kitchens, where wet floors pose an additional trip hazard to aged users.

The Straighter Edge – Why Lineal Drainage is the Safer Alternative

Specifically designed to eliminate the access hazards of conventional ‘step-down’ barrier drainage, lineal drainage is a ‘zero stepdown’ drainage solution for both indoor and outdoor applications.

Unlike conventional drainage, this level-plane drainage solution requires no hob and only a single gradient fall, providing seamless access possibilities for residents and staff. Lineal designs conform to the strict accessibility requirements of AS1428

(Access and Mobility), while ensuring superior water conveyance and egression.

•Built to support a single gradient fall towards the drain, lineal systems allow seamless movement in and around the drainage area, as well as fuss-free installation.

•By significantly expanding the area of drainage, linear drainage promotes consistent water flow and egress, reducing the incidence of ponding (undrained water pools) – a major ‘trip and slip’ hazard.

•Eliminating traditional barriers, linear drainage is perfect for open plan designs.

•Designed as a modular system, linear drainage can be tailored for any ground surface shape and unique environment, significantly reducing construction time and costs. As creator and proud pioneer of the linear drainage system, Stormtech is recognised globally as an industry leader in the design and manufacture of this ingenious and highly practical drainage solution.

Learn more about quality lineal drainage solutions for the aged care industry

www.stormtech.com.au

An Expert Drainage Solution Tailored for Today’s Aged Care Industry

Grate Cares

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SpecifyinG baLcony DrainaGe SyStemS In Multi-residential Design

Since 2009, Australia has seen record growth in the number of apartment approvals and developments. In 2015, for the first time on record, the number of approved apartment projects outstripped that of approved freestanding houses. This dramatic shift in the national residential landscape poses a host of new challenges for the design and construction industry, including a rising number of construction defects.

In their whitepaper Specifying Balcony Drainage Systems in Multi-Residential Design, architectural drainage experts Stormtech take a closer look at drainage solutions for multi-residential design.

Following an overview of the Australian residential landscape, the whitepaper outlines best practice for specifying balcony drainage, and sets forth the standards that must be met when designing threshold drainage for outdoor transition spaces. It then concludes by presenting the Stormtech Slimline range of products, which is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of multi-residential projects.

Thanks to over 25 years of experience in bespoke drainage solutions for commercial and residential projects, Stormtech is equipped with the technical and regulatory knowledge to provide valuable advice on drainage specification.

Learn more about how customised threshold solutions can elevate any multi-residential building project

www.stormtech.com.au

Specifying Balcony Drainage Systems in Multi-Residential Design

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Specification GuiDe To pool area drainage

Surface water management is a critical part of pool and spa design. Adequate surface water management can be ensured through a number of design measures including grated drains and a continuous walkway around the pool that slopes downward away from the pool rim and into the drain.

Pool area drainage – legislative considerations

The Australian Code of Practice for the design, construction, operation, management and maintenance of aquatic facilities requires compliance with regulations for backwash water, wastewater disposal and surface finishes. It also requires pool surfaces to be smooth, impervious, non-slip, and free of protrusions to avoid injury to pool users.

Specifying pool drainage systems

Pool deck drainage systems offer a choice of spot drains and linear or trench drains. Spot drains are smaller single drains connected underground by PVC pipe, and are often quite ineffective in water removal. Linear drains are long, narrow grates that combine a modern aesthetic design with high volume water removal.

Specifying Stormtech pool drainage

Composed of a PVC channel with outlets every 200mm, the Special Assembly system allows the channel to be installed level with sufficient fall given to the pipe for self-cleaning. The system is topped with a stylish slimline stainless steel grate. Stormtech’s Watermark certified Slimline 38G90 and 65AG100 Special Assembly products provide narrow profile, high capacity drainage systems that allow for flexibility in pool design, especially in wet-edge and infinity pool applications. The stainless steel grates in 38mm or 65mm widths are available in wedge-wire and a more budget-friendly punched hole or slotted version. Stormtech’s stylish drainage grates are made from high quality Australian manufactured stainless steel and supplied in stock widths of 38mm, 65mm and 100mm. Addressing the high end of the architectural design segment, Stormtech’s pool drainage systems can also be customised to specific project requirements.

Learn more about pool area drainage solutions

www.stormtech.com.au

Specification Guide to Pool Area Drainage

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Cheap, noT cheerfuL The Pitfalls of Investing in Low-grade Drainage

The importance of choosing compliant and conforming products in construction is regularly discussed in the media and within the industry. The most dramatic examples of the failure of substandard products – such as the Melbourne Docklands fire and the Infinity cable recall – are widely broadcast, yet the range of implications involved in choosing cheaper products remains largely underreported.

For building professionals, it is important that the hallmarks of sub-standard drainage systems are easily identified so informed decisions can be made. Products demonstrating reduced flexibility can signal low quality, as they are only relevant for general applications. A cheap solution also suggests a lack of testing, or a short research and development period, which could lead to problems later down the line.

While building professionals might be eager to save money in the short-term to help projects fall between the lines of a restrictive

budget, the long-term cost may not be worth the instant savings. If a product is significantly cheaper than its competitors, it is likely that corners have been cut somewhere in the process.

Unfortunately, the lasting impact of cheap alternatives may be completely unforeseen by those who have invested in them. Reduced flexibility, for example, could lead to the need to rework existing plumbing. In a multi-residential development, this oversight will seriously increase costs. Like cheap products from any sector, it is probable that less costly drainage systems will result in a shorter lifespan, thus reducing the customer’s value for money. Drainage systems that are unfit for purpose may result in damage, not only to the system, but also to the building they are incorporated into. In the worst- case scenario, if a drainage system is foundto be non-conforming and non-compliant, it may need to be replaced entirely.

Learn more about the pitfalls of investing in low-grade drainage

www.stormtech.com.au

CHEAP, NoT CHEERFUl: THE PITFAllS oF INVESTING IN loW-GRADE DRAINAGE

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pLayinG by the ruLeS Compliance of Regulations and Why it Matters

With the launch of the National Construction Product Register (NCPR), the loopholes through which non-conformant and non-compliant materials have previously entered the Australian market have closed. Local manufacturers are now left with no choice but to comply with the rightfully stringent, comprehensive barriers for entry into the building and construction market.

With their whitepaper Playing by the Rules: Compliance of Regulations and Why it Matters, drainage experts Stormtech take a closer look at Australia’s culture of compliance and explore what this means in terms of drain systems and specification.

To begin, the whitepaper provides an overview of the Australian regulatory landscape, highlighting that regulations are foremost in place to ensure safety and cost efficiency. The whitepaper then proceeds to explore the risks of ignoring regulations, and stresses the importance of built environment professionals educating themselves as to the applicable industry standards.

For over 25 years, Stormtech has led the Australian market in fully compliant, innovative drainage system design. As such, they are well positioned to provide advice on product selection, compliance, and how best to future-proof the drainage aspects of any project.

Learn more about the Australian regulations and standards relating to drainage design

www.stormtech.com.au

PlAyING By THE RulES: COMPlIANCE OF REGulATIONS AND WHy IT MATTERS

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tipS to avoiD a tiLinG DiSaSterA new white paper, commissioned by Australian linear drain experts Stormtech, looks into the function of and potential problems with tiling in interior and exterior conditions.

Tips to Avoid a Tiling Disaster examines the purpose of tiles not only as an aesthetic consideration, but more importantly as only a single part of the larger, more complex system of drainage and waterproofing.

The dangers of inadequate waterproofing are well known to all those involved in the design and construction industries. However, because of the nature of leakage problems as being predominantly undetectable until the damage has already been done, retrospective fixes are often disruptive, time

consuming and incredibly costly.Furthermore, waterproofing is not the only issue to consider across the timeframe of a project.

The guide provides a clear set of aspects to address when planning or undertaking a tiling job. Building on an understanding of the separate components of a tiling job that require consideration, the guide goes into the potential problems associated with such work, from planning and specification to installation and use, and how to mitigate any issues before they occur.

The guide is free to download and comes with further information for architects and specifiers on how to best approach tiling and drainage jobs, from inception to installation.

Find out more about drainage systems and avoiding a waterproofing disaster

www.stormtech.com.au

TIPS TO AVOID A TILING DISASTER

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Find out more about the current trends of

bathroom design and why they’ll be here to stay

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Form and Function:

current trends in Bathroom design

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A new whitepaper, commissioned by the original linear drain manufacturer Stormtech, has been released. The whitepaper examines the current trends in bathroom design and explores how innovation and practical design encourage those trends to become something less temporal and more of a fixed statement.

Bathrooms may not be where the majority of anyone’s time is spent, but they do adopt a particularly important role within our homes with their baseline purposes of hygiene and waste management. This has been recognised by the industry, which has shifted its focus towards the development of products that place equal weighting on functionality and aesthetics.

Form and Function: current trends in Bathroom Design examines a variety of the industry’s current concerns, and how they are reflected in the products currently being produced. These issues include sustainable design, healthy living, comfort and personalisation, digital and technological integration, as well as reducing maintenance requirements.

By tackling these issues, current products are tapping into an area of development that moves past innovation for its own sake – instead creating long-term value for clients. The whitepaper goes on to examine the appeal of a number of different established and emerging product areas, breaking down the reasons for their popularity in the current (and likely future) market.

form anD function Current Trends in Bathroom Design

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The bathroom, and specifically the shower, is often thought of as the most important space to ensure good drainage. However, there are many other spaces that require consideration in relation to adequate drainage. The main function of a drain is to guide water toward a point of egress. Failure to do this can lead to water pooling, moisture build up, and potential hazards. Whether within our homes or without, lack of proper drainage can lead to personal and community-wide hazards or disasters. So where do architects and specifiers start when designing drainage solutions for their project?

Architectural linear drain experts, Stormtech, have released a new whitepaper aimed at architects and specifiers trying to select the right drainage option for their

project. Drainage Selection Guide: 15 Common Application Areas examines an extensive range of drainage application areas, detailing the potential problems and solutions these areas face.

The paper breaks up the 15-different potential drainage application areas into clear sections, and highlights the importance of ensuring proper drainage in each area. In each section, potential safety hazards, installation shortfalls, and area-specific challenges are identified. The paper goes on to explain how in most cases, Stormtech’s linear drainage systems offer the best solution to these problems.

The whitepaper is free to download and is an absolute must-read for architects and specifiers engaging in projects that require any form of wet area drainage solution.

DrainaGe SeLection GuiDe 15 Common Application Areas

Find out more about common application areas for drainage solutions and how to identify the best drainage system for your project

DRAINAGE SELECTIoN GUIDE: 15 CoMMoN APPLICATIoN AREAS

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Drains are a vital element of any residential or commercial project. When properly installed, they are effectively out of sight and out of mind, and ensure that important everyday activities including bathing, cooking, and washing can be done safely and efficiently. Unfortunately, drain planning is an often-overlooked element of the construction process.

In their new whitepaper, How Proper Planning Can Stop Your Project Going Down the Drain, drainage experts Stormtech take a closer look at the importance of planning drain installations. To begin, the whitepaper outlines the main factors that must be taken into account when planning a drain: location, drainage style, timing of construction, and regulatory compliance.

Next, it details the complex regulatory framework surrounding drainage products in Australia, before turning to Stormtech and their range of durable, high performance drainage solutions.

With more than 25 years’ experience at the forefront of the global drainage industry, Stormtech has earned a reputation as one of Australia’s most respected drainage manufacturers and suppliers. Driven by innovation and a genuine passion for developing practical, long-lasting solutions to everyday solutions, Stormtech products exceed fitness for purpose and demonstrate compliance with the stringent standards for drainage in Australia.

hoW proper pLanninG can Stop your project Going Down the Drain

Find out more about common application areas for drainage solutions and how to identify the best drainage system for your project

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How ProPer Planning Can StoP Your ProjeCt going Down tHe Drain

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Stormtech Pty Ltd

22 Norfolk Avenue, South Nowra, NSW,

2541 Australia

Telephone 1300 653 403

Email info@stormtech.com.au

Web www.stormtech.com.au