Saturday, August 13, 2011

What Characteristics Should Your Driveway Grate Have?

By Katherine Wong


First identify the other possible purposes that a driveway grate will serve prior to you put the system in place. You should have your architect or building contractor determine the best features for your driveway drainage system, which are significant for a fully functional system. One essential feature that you have to consider before installing your driveway drainage system is its strength; it has be strong enough to hold the heaviest vehicle that will roll over it, such as a firetruck.

So as to ensure that the grate you will be making use of is strong enough to support the load that rolls over it, make sure that this heavy duty grate system is approved with international standard specifications for building materials. BS EN 124:1994 is a world-recognized standard for gully tops and manhole covers that are installed in areas where there is vehicular or pedestrian traffic, and you would probably want to choose a driveway grating system that complies with this international standard.

The Plusses Of Installing Your Of Your Driveway Grate

Aside from being a part of a drainage system, a heavy duty driveway grate also has other important functions. Hence, this should comply with the standards about safety, durability, aesthetics, and sustainability.

There are homebuilders who assume that their driveway grates will only support cars. Nonetheless, this is not often the case, considering that the residents of the house may also own a bicycle, have little kids, own pets, or have a member of the family who is on a wheelchair.

As a precautionary measure, international standards require that the openings of grates used in locations where there is pedestrian or human traffic should be no more than 13 mm wide. With this specification, any likely accidents involving the occupants of a house can be avoided; the grate opening measuring less than 13 mm is sufficiently narrow so that small feet or wheels of a bicycle (or wheelchair) cannot get in.

Further Considerations In Selecting The Grate System For Your Driveway

Pick out a driveway grate that provides a wide array of options for your driveway grates. Bear in mind, nevertheless, that grates meant for use in driveways must comply with another international standard: BS EN 124:1994. This means that these heavy duty drainage systems can be custom made to be able to support more than 40 tonnes of vehicular weight (roughly the weight of a loaded fire truck). Now, you have a choice in having a safe driveway grating system for your home, which are combined with custom-built aesthetic and heavy-duty features.




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