Weight Load Classes for Channel Drainage

Channel drains, or linear and trench drains as they are also sometimes referred to, are designed to remove unwanted standing water away from a particular area and into a drain.

Efficient and effective channel drainage not only prevents potential damage from standing water but also maintains the aesthetic quality of the property and its surrounds.

Standard Weight Load Classes

When choosing a channel drain for a specific application it’s sensible to pay close attention to weight load classes which are universally applied across the UK in accordance with British Standard BS EN 1433:2022. All drainage channels are classified into load classes, which are effectively distinct categories detailing the load-bearing capacity of each product.

There are currently six groups into which products can be graded, which range from A15 for pedestrian footpaths and patios, through to F900 for airports and industrial yards. This straightforward system is a quick and efficient way of ensuring that the right channel and grating is selected for the application.

On the surface it would appear that each loading class is over specified but in reality, they have been defined to accommodate the effects of dynamic loads that pedestrians, cycles, motorbikes, cars, vans and lorries exert when either moving at speed and/or turning and braking.

For example, one of the most commonly used drainage channels is the A15 load class channel such as the Manthorpe SmartDrain. These drains are designed for pedestrian use and use as pavement drainage, driveway drainage and garden drainage as they can hold a maximum of 1.5 tonnes of weight.

They are designed to be aesthetically pleasing and as non-intrusive as possible. And, whilst they are suitable for edging paths or patios with no vehicular traffic, they should not be installed at the entrance of a driveway as they do not have the load-bearing capacity to withstand a car constantly driving back and forth over them.

In summary, if you are uncertain, install a higher loading class than you think you may need!