Effective storm water planning helps protect commercial construction sites, buildings, traffic areas and accessways from ponding, flooding and runoff concerns. From roof drainage and pits to trench drains, pumps and treatment devices, the right system needs to suit the site layout, water flows, traffic conditions and project requirements.
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Storm WaterCommercial Construction PlumbingForward In Ground WorksLarge ProjectsRoof PlumbingSmall To Medium Projects+173 more
Water that ponds across a car park, runs towards a building entry or gathers at a basement ramp can affect access, pavement, operations and the construction program. Commercial construction storm water work focuses on the systems that collect, control, treat and discharge rainfall across a project site.
For builders, developers, project managers, head contractors and design teams, storm water decisions are closely connected to drawings, site levels, hardstand areas, roof areas, drainage routes, access requirements and construction staging. Clear project information helps a plumbing business understand the work being considered and the conditions it needs to accommodate.
Moving rainfall away from critical areas
Commercial storm water systems are designed to move rainfall away from buildings, roadways, traffic areas and public access areas. Their purpose is to reduce flooding, ponding, erosion, property damage and downstream contamination risks.
Conditions can be more complex than basic domestic drainage. A site may have larger catchments, greater water volumes, vehicle traffic, hardstand surfaces, debris or silt loads, and areas where oil or fuel residue is a consideration. The system also needs to work with surface falls, kerb lines, pit capacity, pipe grades, overflow routes, maintenance access and discharge arrangements.
Storm water systems on commercial construction projects
The equipment and drainage elements used on a project depend on the site and intended use. Storm water work may involve roof water and downpipe drainage, paved areas, car parks, private roads, service lanes, loading docks, landscaped areas, industrial yards, forecourts, external plant areas and basement ramps.
Collection points: gutters, downpipes, sumps, pits, grates, kerb inlets and side-entry pits collect water from roofs and surfaces.
Surface drainage: trench drains, spoon drains, channel drains and kerb-and-channel arrangements can direct runoff from trafficable and pedestrian areas.
Underground drainage: pipework, culverts, soak wells, detention tanks and retention tanks can form part of the route or storage arrangement.
Basement and low-point drainage: storm water pump wells and ramp drainage may be relevant where water must be managed at lower site levels.
Treatment and interception: gross pollutant traps, sediment traps, oil interceptors, treatment chambers and filtration devices may be considered where runoff can carry debris, silt, oil or hydrocarbons.
Roads, car parks and hardstands need careful drainage
Roadway drainage matters wherever a project includes private roads, access roads, loading areas, service lanes, car parks or hardstands. Surface grades, kerb lines, grated drains, side-entry pits, spoon drains, culverts and underground pipework can all influence where water travels.
Water left on trafficable areas can contribute to unsafe vehicle movements, slip hazards, potholes, pavement failure, flooding at entries and basement flooding. Truck traffic, forklifts and other site movements are useful details to raise early because they affect the practical conditions around drainage components and access.
When runoff needs interception or treatment
Some sites have areas where storm water may carry contaminants before it leaves the property. Car parks, workshops, washdown areas, transport depots, service stations, industrial yards, fuel-handling areas, loading docks and high-traffic hardstands are examples identified as potential settings.
Interceptors and treatment devices can slow or filter runoff so silt, litter, oil, hydrocarbons or debris can be captured. Depending on the project, this may involve sediment pits, gross pollutant traps, oil and hydrocarbon interceptors, coalescing plate separators, pit baskets, cartridge filters or treatment chambers.
Installation, inspection, maintenance and repairs
Storm water commercial construction plumbing can involve new drainage installation as well as work on an existing system. Relevant work may include roof and downpipe drainage, pits and inlets, trench or channel drains, pump wells, soakage arrangements, detention or retention systems, and interceptor devices.
Where performance concerns arise, a plumbing business may consider CCTV inspection, jetting and maintenance of storm water drains, along with repairs to blocked, collapsed or undersized drainage systems. Known issues such as ponding, overflowing pits, debris accumulation, damaged grates or a recurring flooded area are useful starting points for a project discussion.
Prepare the right project information
Commercial construction plumbing is coordinated around drawings, specifications, project milestones and site constraints. Providing relevant information early can make the conversation more focused and help identify the conditions that need attention.
Provide available site plans, drainage drawings and specifications.
Identify the roof, hardstand or other catchment areas involved.
Mark locations of flooding, ponding, pits, grates and the known discharge point.
Share photos or video, especially material captured during rainfall where available.
Explain the roadway, car park or hardstand layout, including truck or forklift use where relevant.
Flag known contamination risks, previous CCTV or jetting reports, maintenance records and access needs.
Confirm site induction, traffic management, permitted working hours and the person authorised to approve repairs or design changes.
Products and supply channels you may encounter
Project documentation, existing assets and product discussions may refer to a range of brands, manufacturers and supply channels. Examples customers may encounter include ACO and Everhard around drainage products; Humes and Rocla in relation to drainage and concrete products; Iplex and Vinidex for pipe-related products; and Grundfos, Davey or Wilo where pumps are part of the system.
These names are examples only. Product selection should be considered against the project drawings, site conditions, drainage layout and required system function.
Choosing a Master Plumber for project work
Storm water construction work often sits alongside wider commercial construction plumbing, where coordination with drawings, inspections and project milestones is important. Find a Master Plumber connects customers with Master Plumbers and plumbing businesses associated with the Master Plumbers and Gasfitters Association of Western Australia.
Choosing a Master Plumber helps consumers make a more informed choice of plumbing business for their property or project. Find a Master Plumber is backed by the Master Plumbers and Gasfitters Association of Western Australia, which has represented Western Australia's plumbing and gasfitting industry since 1901.
Related commercial construction plumbing
Storm water may need to be considered alongside other parts of a commercial construction program. Depending on the scope, you may also be planning forward in-ground works, roof plumbing, small to medium projects, large projects or other commercial construction plumbing work.
It relates to collecting, controlling, treating and discharging rainfall in commercial, industrial, strata, civil and roadway environments. Work may involve roof drainage, pits, grates, trench drains, pumps, underground drainage, storage systems and treatment or interception devices.
Why does water pond in a car park or hardstand?
Ponding can be associated with factors such as blocked pits, silt build-up, poor falls, damaged grates, undersized pipework, collapsed drains or unsuitable flow paths. The actual cause needs to be considered against the site and drainage system.
What information is helpful for a storm water enquiry?
Useful information can include drainage drawings, site plans, photos during rain, flooding locations, pit and grate locations, catchment areas, discharge details, traffic requirements, access constraints and any previous inspection or maintenance records.
Can storm water systems include pumps?
Yes. Storm water pump wells and basement ramp drainage are among the systems that may be used where water needs to be managed at lower site levels.
What are storm water interceptors used for?
They may be used where runoff can carry silt, litter, oil, hydrocarbons or debris. Examples include sediment traps, gross pollutant traps, oil interceptors, pit baskets, cartridge filters and treatment chambers.
Why consider maintenance before wet weather?
Routine maintenance is particularly important before winter or forecast storm events, especially at sites with trees, trafficable hardstands, car parks, industrial yards or known silt and debris loads.
Use Find a Master Plumber to choose a plumbing business for storm water construction work. Bringing drawings, drainage details, site constraints and known problem locations to the conversation can help establish the project requirements.
