| 1.
How does the Ultra-DrainGuard work?
The Ultra-DrainGuard Oil & Sediment
Plus Model® is a highly effective "Catch Basin Insert" designed to
filter sediment, oil and debris from stormwater runoff. The device is a
simple to install, cost effective means of removing pollutants from
storm water as it flows into the storm drain. The Ultra-DrainGuard is
installed in a catch basin and is suspended in place by the grate itself
or with retainer rods. Storm water runoff enters the DrainGuard and is
directed toward the pouch by a skirt made of a polypropylene,
needle-punched, geotextile material. This fabric filters the pollutants
from the water stream as it passes over and flows through the material.
Additionally, each Ultra-DrainGuard Oil & Sediment Plus Model® is
equipped with X-Tex filter strips that removes oil and grease from water
flow as it passes through the DrainGuard. The Ultra-DrainGuard is
designed with "Bypass Ports" to prevent flooding from occurring should a
large flow of storm water suddenly enter the storm drain system. The
Ultra-DrainGuard may be custom sized to ensure unrestricted water flow
into a catch basin in a heavy rain event. A single Ultra-DrainGuard unit
can filter out and contain up to forty pounds of oil, sediment, debris
and floatables.
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2. What are
some of the applications for the DrainGuard?
Catch Basins in parking lots,
commercial and industrial facilities and in roads and highways. ii.
Catch Basins at stadiums, parades, fairs, outdoor gatherings for litter
and debris collection. iii. Catch Basins that clog with leaves during
the fall. iv. At transportation centers such as truck stops, bus depots,
parking lots, drive-thrus, and maintenance facilities. v. Washing
stations for trucks, cars, and other vehicles. vi. Golf courses and ball
fields for grass clipping collection.
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3. How often
should the Ultra-DrainGuard be changed out?
Catch Basin Inserts act as a filtering
device and have shown to be functioning well after a year in the field.
We recommend that the first time a DrainGuard is installed it should be
inspected after the first series of rain events. The initial inspection
will determine the typical amount of sediment and floating material
flowing into the individual storm drain and captured by the DrainGuard.
The amount of pollutants flowing into a storm drain will vary based on
the unique characteristics of the surrounding terrain. Differences in
soils, traffic, road slope and distance between storm drains can cause
varying amounts of sediment and pollutants to be carried by the storm
water into the storm drain. By observing the unique nature of each
DrainGuard installation, a “change out schedule” can soon be determined.
On average, a DrainGuard will function effectively from six months to
one year. Independent field tests have shown up to 80% reduction in
sediment loadings as well as a 75% reduction of free-oil.
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4. How do you
know when to change out the Ultra-DrainGuard?
The Ultra-DrainGuard Oil & Sediment
Plus® device should be replaced in two instances:
- For predominately sediment or
trash and debris applications, conduct a visual inspection. If the
amount of sediment and debris captured in the pouch has risen to a
level one inch below the bypass ports, a change-out of the product
is recommended.
- For predominately hydrocarbon
removal applications, conduct an inspection of the filter fabric the
unit is made of or the X-Tex filter strips. If either of these
filter materials has become saturated with hydrocarbons, a
change-out of the product is recommended. To determine if saturation
has occurred, use a grate hook to lift one of the straps located on
the top of the Ultra-DrainGuard up through the grate so that the
Ultra-DrainGuard is pinned to the bottom of the grate. This allows
the user to reach into the grate openings to feel the base fabric
for saturation of hydrocarbons and also pull up and test the filters
strips located inside the opening of the Ultra-DrainGuard’s pouch.
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5. What
happens if you forget to change out the DrainGuard and it fills up with
sediment … will if flood the streets?
The DrainGuard has “bypass ports” that
will allow the excess water to flow past the filter material if heavy
rain events create heavy runoff and will not impede the flow through the
catch basin if sized correctly. The standard bypass port design allows
770 gpm to flow through the ports.
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6. How much
oil and sediment will the DrainGuard capture?
Independent field tests have shown up
to 80% reduction in sediment loadings (40 lbs.) as well as a 75%
reduction of free-oil.
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7. What is the
flow rate capacity of the DrainGuard?
A fully occluded DrainGuard will allow
770 gpm of storm water flow through its Bypass Ports. DrainGuards with
larger flow rates may be manufactured when needed. Typical treatment
capacity is 500 gpm.
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8. Do Ultra-DrainGuards
work in the winter and in freezing conditions?
In many cases the Ultra-DrainGuards
will continue to operate effectively until outdoor temperatures reach
zero degrees Fahrenheit. Typically, Ultra-DrainGuards will not freeze up
in the air temperature of a 0° - 32° F range based on two factors:
- The Ultra-DrainGuards are below
ground and warmer air tends to circulate through the stormwater
pipes keeping the temperature elevated in the catch basins and the
Ultra-DrainGuards less likely to freeze-up.
- In locations where snow and
freezing temperatures often occur, salt is used on the roads to
prevent freezing of surface water. Much of this salt flows into the
Ultra-DrainGuards and is mixed with the sediment filling the
Ultra-DrainGuard. The salt helps prevent the sediment and
Ultra-DrainGuard from freezing up in temperatures above 0° F.
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9. What
happens to the Ultra-DrainGuards when the outdoor temperature falls
below 0° F?
This temperature has no detrimental
effect on the Ultra-DrainGuard itself, however extended temperatures of
0° F will cause the sediment and the moisture in the Ultra-DrainGuard to
freeze up. This does not present a functional problem since any other
water or snow on the streets will be frozen as well so there is no need
for the Ultra-DrainGuard to be functional at that time. As the weather
warms and stormwater begins to flow once again, the Ultra-DrainGuard
tends to thaw in a similar timeframe, allowing it to function again.
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10. Is there
ever a cold weather situation where the Ultra-DrainGuard may not be
effective?
We are aware of only one limited
circumstance. It has been 0° F and the streets and Ultra-DrainGuards are
frozen solid. Then a very quick warm front moves through (i.e. 60° F air
temperature) and there is heavy rain. This warm rain will immediately
flow into the catch basins and into the frozen Ultra-DrainGuards. Until
the Ultra-DrainGuards are thawed due to the warmer water, the water will
not be filtered by the Ultra-DrainGuard, it will simply flow out through
the by-pass ports located at the top of the Ultra-DrainGuard. No ponding
or flooding would occur and the Ultra-DrainGuard would begin functioning
again once it thaws. This circumstance does not occur often and is more
likely in more southern states like Oklahoma and Texas.
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11. How do
you install a DrainGuard?
Grates can be easily removed by
utilizing the Ultra-GrateLifter®, a new
product that allows a single person to lift the grate with this
professional quality lever devise. The Ultra-GrateLifter can lift up to
a 400 pound grate. When the grate has been removed the DrainGuard should
be placed over the open hole and can be held in place by utilizing
“Retainer Bars” through the 4 loops on the surface of the skirt or by
simply placing heavy objects on the skirt to hold it in place while the
grate is moved back into position. The large flat support base of the
Ultra-GrateLifter® remains stationary when the grate is removed so that
the grate goes right back into place when it is returned to the catch
basin. When the DrainGuard is positioned back in place, the excess
material can easily be trimmed with a pair of scissors. Be sure to leave
a couple of inches of fabric around the edges to allow for any slippage.
This visible fabric allows one to easily spot a drain that is properly
protected as well. Click
here to see the DrainGuard installation guide.
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12. What size
sediment particle can the DrainGuard filter?
The DrainGuard is able to remove
sediments as small as 180 microns. Click
here to
see material specs.
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13. Can you make a DrainGuard for a round drain?
It is
possible to make a DrainGuard for a round drain. However, in most
cases, the standard DrainGuard will work. Simply install the unit
as described above and then trim around the round grating.
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14. Can you make smaller or larger sizes then
what you have listed as your standard?
The two
sizes that UltraTech offers as standard (48" x 36" and 60" x 60") will
fit just about any drain. If your drain is smaller than the 48" x
36" (or falls somewhere between the two sizes) simply install the drain
as described above and trim the extra fabric to fit. (NOTE:
Trimming the fabric is not a necessary for proper function of the
DrainGuard. However, it may be desired for aesthetic reasons or to
avoid a trip hazard.)
In the case
of very small drains (20" or smaller), it may be necessary to make a
custom DrainGuard with a smaller opening (standard is 18"). If
this is the case, please
contact us or
your UltraTech distributor for a quote.
If you need
something larger than 60" x 60" please
contact us or
your UltraTech distributor for a quote.
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