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How are splash pad trench drains designed?
Quick answer
Trench drains run along the pad perimeter at 1/8-1/4 inch per foot slope, sized for peak feature flow plus 50% safety, with ADA-compliant grate openings under 1/2 inch. Heel-proof grates prevent injury. Connect to a manifold draining to recirc tank or sanitary sewer through air gap.
Trench drains are the workhorse of splash pad drainage, capturing water at the pad perimeter and channeling it to the treatment system. Engineering specs: trench width 4-12 inches depending on flow capacity, slope 1/8 to 1/4 inch per foot toward the outlet, depth sufficient to maintain slope without surfacing too high. Sizing must handle peak combined flow of all simultaneously active features plus a 50% safety factor. Grates must be ADA-compliant with openings under 1/2 inch in the direction of travel to prevent canes, walker tips, and toes from catching. Heel-proof grates protect adults in sandals. Materials: stainless 316 for coastal/salt environments, fiberglass for inland. Outlet connects to a manifold that routes to either the recirc tank (treated for reuse) or sanitary sewer through an air gap. Inspect grates daily and clean accumulated debris.