ACO TECHNOLOGIES PLC - BUILDING DRAINAGE
ACO BUSINESS CENTRE
CAXTON ROAD
BEDFORD
BEDFORDSHIRE MK41 0LF
Tel: 01462 810400
Fax: 01462 851490
Suppliers of: Internal and external drainage solutions, stainless steel floor drains, stainless steel gullies and channels, rainwater outlets, shower floor drains, bathroom and wet room floor drains, internal linear drainage channels, access covers, grease separators
ACO Building Drainage specialises in the development of corrosion resistant drainage systems and building products for applications across the internal and external built environments. Conceived to eliminate design risk, to optimise installation and to minimise lifetime ownership cost, every product in the range delivers exceptional levels of performance, finish and durability.
The technical expertise, global resources and fabrication capacity within the ACO Building Drainage division make it possible for architects, engineers and contractors to realise the highest quality and value when selecting from our standard products, or, when using our bespoke design service.
Indeed, whether you’re involved in designing or building a new project or upgrading an existing building, every aspect of the system must be carefully planned to meet the correct drainage requirements simply, quickly and within budget. Just call us for advice and help on the right system for your next project!
ACO BIM Files: This link will take you to the ACO BIM Library on the ACO website
Useful Resources:
- Social Media: View ACO Building Drainage on Twitter / LinkedIn
- Video: Access ACO Product Videos on YouTube
ACO Building Drainage’s extensive portfolio includes:
Wetroom & Shower Drainage Solutions
An extensive range of Wetroom products and shower drainage solutions.
Choice of ranges for different applications: Fixed Height and Telescopic gully systems, EG150 Eurogully range, Rodding Eyes, Micro Floor Gullies and Bespoke gullies.
Standard Stainless Steel and Galvanised Steel Channels
Includes the Modular 125 stainless steel channel system and the Deckline 125 galvanized steel shallow invert drainage system.
ACO Pipe® Stainless Steel Pipework Systems
ACO PIPE® presents a wide range of socketed waste pipework systems in thin-wall stainless steel for above and below ground drainage applications.
ACO HygieneFirst drainage systems fulfil the stringent hygienic requirements to minimise harmful bacteria and pathogen contamination of food arising from drainage elements by applying relevant hygiene design principles reserved for food contract surfaces
Products include FreeDeck - Level Access Flat Roofs and Terraces Drainage Systems & Watertight Rainwater Outlets.
Our engineers and designers can advise you on the right system to suit your project.
The range includes mobile grease separators, gravity grease separators, grease recovery units and grease traps. Visit our website to use our grease selector to find the right unit for your needs.
Products include the Uniface or UniTop range of aluminium or steel access covers.
Our ACO RoofBloxx rainwater attenuation system is designed specifically as a green roof drainage layer for use on blue, green and blue/green roof construction applications. Please contact us to discuss project requirements and for support with hydraulic calculations.
Anti-flood backflow valve systems, designed to prevent flooding resulting from sewer backflows. With models suitable for grey or black water applications, all systems are designed for reliable operation and long life.
Further technical information is available in the BPi download library or on the ACO Building Drainage website.
First Ever Blue Green Roof in Dublin Constructed with ACO’s RoofBloxx System
Raising The Roof: First Ever Blue Green Roof in Dublin Constructed with ACO’s RoofBloxx System
With new planning rules to abide by in Dublin, the developers of a commercial three-story residential apartment building had to demonstrate that its scheme would have a blue green roof to obtain planning permission. ACO worked together with Beton Construction Services to design and specify an innovative blue green system that would manage stormwater runoff, improve resilience, and be the first of its kind in the city.
Creating a waterproof roof
A key part of the consultation was ACO’s assessment of the hydraulic requirements, which was based on 1 in 100-year time series rainfall, as well as accounting for a 40% uplift in climate change. Following the assessment, ACO specified its RoofBloxx attenuation system to cover a catchment area of 131.8m2, installed on an inverted blue roof.
Introducing the ACO solution to an inverted roof separated the competing drainage requirements. By engineering an elevated shallow structural attenuation system that operates independently of the flat roof drainage system, it allowed the roof to be engineered to known standards and best practice, without compromising the ability of the roof to drain quickly in extreme circumstances.
Dan O’Connor, Business Development Manager at Beton, led the project and said: “When we were approached about this job, we knew we’d need guidance from blue roof specialists. We turned to ACO because we know they not only have innovative products like the RoofBloxx system, but they have the knowledge, experience and assisting tools to make sure that the job runs smoothly. With ACO’s support, the project was swiftly granted planning approval, and we and the developers have peace of mind that the roof is protected for years to come.”
Sean Drudy from SCD Consulting commented: “When we were appointed for this project on Chelmsford Road, we did some quite extensive technical and research appraisals of blue roof systems available on the market. We specified the ACO RoofBloxx system for the project in conjunction with Beton Construction Services Limited as the installation company, as both companies and their systems came with excellent reputations. “We were very happy with the end result and found the technical design and documentation offered along with the installation and performance on site to be to a first-class standard.”
Going green
Besides storing and slowing the water down to prevent flooding, the blue roof helps with other functions – cooling for the building in summer, providing amenity and biodiversity, as well as reducing the urban heat island effect.
Meanwhile, the water held in the attenuation tank helps irrigate a green roof made from a layer of sedum carpet. This roof provides greenery on top of the building, attracting wildlife and promoting biodiversity in the inner-city area. Additionally, the plants contribute to reducing CO2 and enabling the roof and building to be better for the planet.
Neill Robinson-Welsh, Consultant for ACO, said: “We are proud to have partnered with Beton on the first ever blue roof in Dublin. Managing and caring for water will only become more important as the issue of water resilience grows. It’s fantastic to see that Dublin City Council has put planning controls in place, and thanks to our collaboration with Dan and the team at Beton, we have constructed a roof that performs multiple functions, ensuring sure that rainwater is not only slowed down but also put to good use.”
For more about ACO Building Drainage and the RoofBloxx attenuation system, visit www.aco.co.uk/products/roofbloxx
Why FOG management should be a high priority for commercial building design
Systems for managing fats, oils and grease (FOG) must be considered for the design of commercial buildings that contain commercial kitchens. To ensure the smooth delivery of commercial building projects FOG management needs to be part of the specification. The location, type and capacity of the system needs to be taken into account, along with several other factors. Here Erik Mul, Technical Product Manager from ACO’s Building Drainage division discusses FOG management for commercial buildings.
The increase of FOG in the UK sewer network is a considerable problem for buildings that contain commercial kitchens and UK water companies. Fatbergs regularly make the headlines, even though legislation is in place intended to prevent these enormous blockages. In extreme situations, fatbergs have been known to reach as much as 400 tonnes in weight – approximately the mass of four blue whales. These are made of waste products that have been incorrectly disposed of in drains or down sinks, that bind together in the sewer, eventually becoming solid and extremely difficult to shift. It is FOG which holds fatbergs together, showing just how important it is to have correct systems in place to handle the disposal of these kitchen cooking byproducts.
Without suitable disposal methods, problems can occur in the sewers that can get backed up into homes and businesses, sewage and wastewater can cause flooding, and those responsible for the blockages can be held financially liable. Water companies are enforcing rules more than in the past due to growing environmental concerns. They are also being stricter about prosecuting those who don’t meet legal standards. Due to these reasons, some new-build commercial projects are being denied a water connection until a FOG management system is in place. In some cases, restaurants and pubs have faced significant fines due to their lack of proper FOG management.
Location, location, location
Due to the need for ongoing maintenance, access to the FOG management system must be factored in at the design stage to ensure the optimal location is chosen. Systems installed below sewer level should either have a lifting station where the separated wastewater is gathered, or a sump where all the building’s wastewater is collected before pumping it out to the sewer.
In situations like this, ACO generally recommends the use of lifting stations in commercial buildings rather than backflow preventers, as this ensures wastewater is still pumped to the sewer during a backflow event. In smaller establishments it is unlikely that large units will fit within the kitchen so external or smaller units would need to be considered – not forgetting maintenance access.
Choosing the right system for your project
There are four main types of management systems to be aware of when it comes to dealing with FOG. These include grease separators, grease traps, grease recovery units (GRU), and bio-chemical direct dosing units. Grease traps, GRUs and separators make use of gravity to separate FOG, enabling it to be retrieved for disposal or use elsewhere, such as biofuel. The bio-chemical dosing systems partially emulsify greasy wastewater, allowing it to pass through the system. While each approach has its merits, some systems are more appropriate than others, depending on a number of factors impacting the kitchen it will be used in. The most effective system will be one that is selected specifically for the individual building and its kitchens.
Grease separators are most commonly used in large commercial buildings. They comply with BS EN 1825 and prevent most FOG deposits from entering sewer systems and have to be emptied at least once per month – either manually or automatically, depending on the model installed. Choosing these units is done by looking at the following: number of meals per day produced in the kitchens, kitchen operating hours and the space internally or externally to site a separator. How the unit will be emptied – manually or via vacuum tanker – is also an important factor, along with the access needed for installation, commissioning and maintenance (considering if the ideal site is in the basement down lots of narrow corridors or underground in a car park, etc.). Smaller kitchens may use a grease trap fitted underneath a sink where they cater for lower volumes of meals per day.
Grease recovery units come in two types: active and passive. Active units skim FOG, using rotating oleophilic drums whereas passive units use wastewater flow/pressure within the unit to move FOG into a separate container. The passive units are often heated to keep the FOG in a liquid state for easier disposal. Generally, these systems are tested to the American standard ASME 112.14.3 and 4.
There are also two kinds of bio-chemical dosing for FOG management. One uses enzymes to emulsify FOG and water prior to it entering a sewer, and the other uses bacteria to consume the FOG and release water and carbon-dioxide. The micro-organisms used in these systems are highly sensitive to their surroundings and don’t always survive long enough to be effective. In cases where FOG had been emulsified, it can still resolidify and lead to blockages further down the line.
Reasons for the regulations
The goal of FOG-related legislation is to protect public sewers as they are a vital part of infrastructure. Section 111 of the Water Industry Act 1991 states that it is an offence to impair any public sewer’s operation.[1] With the build-up of FOG considered a hazard likely to impair a sewer, it is an offence for commercial kitchens to discharge FOG improperly. Local authorities or water companies may take legal action, those responsible can face prosecution and the businesses might end up paying the costs for damage caused, including in cases where a FOG blockage causes flooding.
There are also laws in place geared towards preventing pollution from FOG. According to the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) 1990, it is illegal to dispose of FOG in a manner likely to cause pollution of the environment or harm to human health.[2] Commercial kitchens have the legal responsibility to ensure the collection and disposal of FOG or risk prosecution.
Don’t get lost in the FOG, speak to the experts
The right management and disposal of FOG is a vital part of protecting the environment from pollution, keeping fatbergs from damaging sewers, and helping kitchens run safely and smoothly without risks of prosecution and punishment. While there may be some who think that FOG management is unglamourous, it is still extremely important to the long-term running of commercial kitchens, whether that be a small café or a large hotel restaurant serving several hundred people every day.
Some water companies are becoming firmer with their rulings and refusing to connect establishments that do not have proper FOG management systems in place. To avoid this, consulting with drainage experts, such as those at ACO Building Drainage, from the early design stages will ensure all requirements and legislation are met. With their knowledge and experience, the process of identifying the right type of system for the kitchen can be done with the confidence that it will meet all relevant guidelines and regulations.
For more on fats, oils and grease management, see ACO.co.uk.
[1] https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1991/56/part/IV/chapter/II/crossheading/provisions-protecting-sewerage-system?view=plain
[2] https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/43/section/75
