ACO and Polypropylene Channel Drainage

An ACO channel drain is a linear drainage system designed to efficiently capture and redirect surface water in residential and commercial settings. These channel drains typically consist of a narrow channel, or trench, with a grating cover, and are used in hard surfaces such as concrete or paving. Drainfast’s supply of ACO channel drain products is suitable for A15 load ratings, or light pedestrian traffic. 

Plastic channel drains are installed in areas where effective surface water control is needed. Drainfast has supplied ACO channel drainage for use in locations such as driveways, patios, car parks, loading bays, warehouse entrances and pedestrian walkways. Depending on load rating, they can also be used in both domestic and heavy-duty commercial environments, offering both excellent drainage performance and a neat, integrated look.

ACO channel drains are manufactured from various materials, depending on the application. The ACO range at Drainfast is made from polypropylene, a type of plastic for lighter-duty use. Certain products may also feature other components made from galvanised steel or aluminium, enabling better protection for high-traffic and corrosive environments.

Plastic channel drains are available in a range of load classes, ranging from Class A15 to Class F900. Our product range is suitable for pedestrian areas that have received an A15 rating where vehicle traffic is minimal or non-existent. This makes our plastic ACO channel drains ideal for gardens, patios and pedestrian walkways where light-foot traffic is assured.

Thanks to the innovative HexDrain design on ACO channel drains, as well as being made from polypropylene, maintaining the channel drains is quick and simple. They feature removable gratings to allow for easy access to the channel beneath, so debris can be cleared without dismantling the system. Many of our channel systems feature smooth internal surfaces to reduce the build-up of silt or grime. Routine manual or jet wash cleaning is an ideal practice to keep plastic channel drains functioning efficiently.

ACO channels will need to be connected to an existing surface water drainage system or soakaway to allow water to be safely redirected away from the surface. In certain instances, such as small domestic areas or permeable surfaces, connection may not be required, so it’s important to check the drainage requirements of your project before installation.

ACO channel drains feature a width of 100 mm, which is the standard UK channel size, but ACO also manufactures channel drains in wider widths, including 150 mm, 200 mm or more. Through our free material take-off service, Drainfast can use your project designs and ensure the perfectly sized ACO channel drains to support your unique flow rates and applications. 

Plastic drains should be installed with a slight gradient to encourage water to flow toward the outlet. A perfectly flat drain installation will likely result in pooling or sluggish flow, so it’s important to incorporate a modest slope where practical.

ACO channel drains do not need a tap as they are designed to collect and redirect water naturally via gravity. While not required, a good example of installing a tap nearby a channel drain would be for routine rinsing and cleaning in commercial settings but will be a separate plumbing feature and not part of the drain channel itself.