
Airport Drainage

Drains for Air Transportation
We can’t control the weather but proper drainage can facilitate the rapid removal of stormwater from airport surfaces. Although some conditions are regional or seasonal, effective drainage prevents standing water which can ultimately delay and cancel flights.
Of course, the more surface area there is, the greater the amount of rainwater that is displaced. It all has to go somewhere that is practical and doesn’t create residual issues such as erosion or unplanned ponding areas.
We can’t control the weather but proper drainage can facilitate the rapid removal of stormwater from airport surfaces. Although some conditions are regional or seasonal, effective drainage prevents standing water which can ultimately delay and cancel flights.
Of course, the more surface area there is, the greater the amount of rainwater that is displaced. It all has to go somewhere that is practical and doesn’t create residual issues such as erosion or unplanned ponding areas.
County airports
County airports support small single and twin prop aircraft. Pre-sloped 4” wide trench drain systems are found on taxiways and in front of the hangar doors. Loads are light (Class D) so these drains tend to use ductile or cast iron grates without reinforcement.
Municipal airports
Municipal airports are a little bigger with aircraft that may include some light commercial crafts. Hangar doors will use a 4” wide trench drain but will require reinforcement. Along the taxiways, 8” and 12” wide pre-sloped drains with Class D and E grating are recommended.
International airports
International airports deal with heavy equipment and acres of concrete surfaces that need to be drained quickly in the event of a storm. Drainage systems usually have Class E or F load ratings and grates with 2-point lockdown systems. Trench drains designed for large flow capacities use grates with a high percentage of the open area along with wider trench dimensions; it is not uncommon to see 12 inch wide trenches that reach 3-to-4 feet deep.
Trench Drain Systems offers exclusive product lines manufactured by TDS.
- Widths from 1” to 24” and flow rates from 30 – 6,700 Gallons Per Minute
- Grates in various load ratings with safety lockdown devices for airport terminal traffic
- Numerous materials for grates and drain channels, including options that withstand extreme conditions
- Pre-sloped and neutral options for ease of install
Considerations
- Duck, Duck, Goose
Greenspace surrounding an airport with ponding issues needs to be properly drained to prevent areas that attract waterfowl and other wildlife. Taking this measure can prevent life threatening situations for aircrafts.
- Locked & Secured
Avoid the potential for grates lifting to become flying projectiles from plan engines. Ensure that grates are securely placed and locked into position.
- Legally Speaking
Location and design of drainage structures must comply with all airport surface requirements along with any related federal regulations.
- Lay of the Land
When planning drainage systems for an airport you must first consider everything about the land including the slope, soil type, surrounding vegetation, and its permeability just to name a few.
Product Recommendations
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WYE Rail Frames for 1" or 1.5" Thick Grates - FGK-WYE-1015
WYE Rail Frames for 1" or 1.5" Thick Grates - FGK-WYE-1015
USF TH1224 Gray Cast Iron 12" x 24" x 1.5" Solid Grate Cover
USF TH1224 Gray Cast Iron 12" x 24" x 1.5" Solid Grate Cover
USF 6235 Slotted Ductile Iron 24" X 24" Catch Basin Grate | Load Class D
USF 6235 Slotted Ductile Iron 24" X 24" Catch Basin Grate | Load Class D
US Foundry 6455 Heavy Duty Slotted Cast Iron 17" x 24" Grate
US Foundry 6455 Heavy Duty Slotted Cast Iron 17" x 24" Grate
US Foundry 6454 Heavy Duty Cast Iron 14″ x 24″ x 1.5" Grate
US Foundry 6454 Heavy Duty Cast Iron 14″ x 24″ x 1.5" Grate
US Foundry 6120 Heavy Duty Cast Iron 12″ x 24″ x 2" Grate
US Foundry 6120 Heavy Duty Cast Iron 12″ x 24″ x 2" Grate
US Foundry 6100 Heavy Duty Slotted C35B Gray Iron 8" x 24" x 1.5" Grate
US Foundry 6100 Heavy Duty Slotted C35B Gray Iron 8" x 24" x 1.5" Grate
TP0750S (Shallow) Catch Basin Kit w/ DG0675HD for POLYCAST®
TP0750S (Shallow) Catch Basin Kit w/ DG0675HD for POLYCAST®
TP0650S (Shallow) Catch Basin Kit w/ DG0675HD for POLYCAST®
TP0650S (Shallow) Catch Basin Kit w/ DG0675HD for POLYCAST®
TP0650S (Shallow) Catch Basin for POLYCAST®
TP0650S (Shallow) Catch Basin for POLYCAST®
TDS-POLYCAST DA0642SH Hold-Down Device for 700 Series Stainless Steel and HDPE Grates
TDS-POLYCAST DA0642SH Hold-Down Device for 700 Series Stainless Steel and HDPE Grates
TDS-POLYCAST DA0642H Locking Device for 700 series Galvanized Grates
TDS-POLYCAST DA0642H Locking Device for 700 series Galvanized Grates
TDS-POLYCAST DA0642BHS Hold-Down Device for 700 Series Steel Bar Grates
TDS-POLYCAST DA0642BHS Hold-Down Device for 700 Series Steel Bar Grates
TDS-POLYCAST DA0642BH Hold-Down Device for 700 Series Ductile Iron Grates
TDS-POLYCAST DA0642BH Hold-Down Device for 700 Series Ductile Iron Grates
TDS-POLYCAST DA0633 Installation Chair
TDS-POLYCAST DA0633 Installation Chair
TDS FP1200 Kit with FG1245 Fiberglass 1.5" x 1.5" Sq. Mesh Grate Class A
TDS FP1200 Kit with FG1245 Fiberglass 1.5" x 1.5" Sq. Mesh Grate Class A
TDS FG1248R Class C Galvanized Steel 14" x 24" x 1.5" Grate
TDS FG1248R Class C Galvanized Steel 14" x 24" x 1.5" Grate
TDS FG1245 Class A 1.5" Sq. Mesh Fiberglass 14" x 48" Grate
TDS FG1245 Class A 1.5" Sq. Mesh Fiberglass 14" x 48" Grate
TDS FG1244 Class C Mesh Fiberglass 14" x 48" Grate
TDS FG1244 Class C Mesh Fiberglass 14" x 48" Grate
TDS FG1242 Class E Slotted Ductile Iron 14" x 24" Grate
TDS FG1242 Class E Slotted Ductile Iron 14" x 24" Grate
TDS FG1241 Class C Slotted Ductile Iron 14" x 24" Grate
TDS FG1241 Class C Slotted Ductile Iron 14" x 24" Grate
TDS DG3047R Class C BAR Stainless 8" x 24" Grate
TDS DG3047R Class C BAR Stainless 8" x 24" Grate
TDS DG3045 Class B Fiberglass 1.5" Sq. Mesh 8" x 48" Grate
TDS DG3045 Class B Fiberglass 1.5" Sq. Mesh 8" x 48" Grate
TDS DG3044 Class C VE Fiberglass I-Bar with Grit 8" x 48" Grate
TDS DG3044 Class C VE Fiberglass I-Bar with Grit 8" x 48" Grate
TDS DG3041D Class F Slotted Ductile Iron 8" x 24" Grate
TDS DG3041D Class F Slotted Ductile Iron 8" x 24" Grate
TDS DG0900 Class F H-20 Slotted Ductile Iron 6" x 16" Grate
TDS DG0900 Class F H-20 Slotted Ductile Iron 6" x 16" Grate
TDS DG0692 Class C ADA Compliant Patriot Ductile Iron 6" x 24" Grate - BLACK
TDS DG0692 Class C ADA Compliant Patriot Ductile Iron 6" x 24" Grate - BLACK
TDS DG0669 Class D Stainless Steel Bar 6" x 48" Grate for POLYCAST®
TDS DG0669 Class D Stainless Steel Bar 6" x 48" Grate for POLYCAST®
TDS DG0655RH Class C ADA Compliant Reinforced Wedge Wire Stainless Steel 6" x 24" Grate
TDS DG0655RH Class C ADA Compliant Reinforced Wedge Wire Stainless Steel 6" x 24" Grate
TDS DG0655H-SPA Class B ADA Compliant Wedge Wire Stainless Steel 6" x 24" Grate
TDS DG0655H-SPA Class B ADA Compliant Wedge Wire Stainless Steel 6" x 24" Grate
TDS DA3042M Hold-Down for 3000 Series Fiberglass Mesh Grate
TDS DA3042M Hold-Down for 3000 Series Fiberglass Mesh Grate
TDS DA3042F Hold-Down for 3000 Series Fiberglass I-BAR Grate
TDS DA3042F Hold-Down for 3000 Series Fiberglass I-BAR Grate
TDS DA3042B Hold-Down for 3000 Series Ductile Iron and Galvanized Bar Grate
TDS DA3042B Hold-Down for 3000 Series Ductile Iron and Galvanized Bar Grate
TDS DA0663 Stainless Steel Strainer Outlet 4-inch
TDS DA0663 Stainless Steel Strainer Outlet 4-inch
POLYCAST®751 Catch Basin w/DG0685HD Cast Iron Slotted Grate and Frame
POLYCAST®751 Catch Basin w/DG0685HD Cast Iron Slotted Grate and Frame
POLYCAST®750 Inline Catch Basin w/DG0641D Cast Iron Slotted Grate and Frame
POLYCAST®750 Inline Catch Basin w/DG0641D Cast Iron Slotted Grate and Frame
POLYCAST®700 Series Kit w/DG0640R Reinforced Slotted Galvanized Grate and Ductile Iron Frame
POLYCAST®700 Series Kit w/DG0640R Reinforced Slotted Galvanized Grate and Ductile Iron Frame
POLYCAST®700 Series Kit w/ DG0655R Wedge Wire Grate & HDPE Frame | Load Class C
POLYCAST®700 Series Kit w/ DG0655R Wedge Wire Grate & HDPE Frame | Load Class C
POLYCAST® DP0650 Polymer Concrete Catch Basin
POLYCAST® DP0650 Polymer Concrete Catch Basin
POLYCAST® DG0753 Ductile Iron Frame 24" x 24"
POLYCAST® DG0753 Ductile Iron Frame 24" x 24"
POLYCAST® DG0643 Slotted Ductile Iron Catch Basin Grate | Load Class E
POLYCAST® DG0643 Slotted Ductile Iron Catch Basin Grate | Load Class E
POLYCAST® 600 Series Kit with DG0655 Wedge Wire with Stainless Steel Edging - Load Class B
POLYCAST® 600 Series Kit with DG0655 Wedge Wire with Stainless Steel Edging - Load Class B
POLYCAST DP0753SB Solid Bottom Catch Basin 24" x 24" with 700 Series Frame
POLYCAST DP0753SB Solid Bottom Catch Basin 24" x 24" with 700 Series Frame
POLYCAST DP0653SB Solid Bottom 24" x 24" 600 Series Catch Basin
POLYCAST DP0653SB Solid Bottom 24" x 24" 600 Series Catch Basin
POLYCAST DP0651 Polymer Concrete Catch Basin
POLYCAST DP0651 Polymer Concrete Catch Basin
POLYCAST DG0675G Class A Transverse Slotted HDPE 6"x24" (Nominal Dimensions) Grate - Gray
POLYCAST DG0675G Class A Transverse Slotted HDPE 6"x24" (Nominal Dimensions) Grate - Gray
Polycast DG0675 Class A Transverse Slotted HDPE 6"x24" (Nominal Dimensions) Grate - BLACK
Polycast DG0675 Class A Transverse Slotted HDPE 6"x24" (Nominal Dimensions) Grate - BLACK
POLYCAST DG0670G Class A Slotted DuraGuard HDPE 6"x24"(Nominal Dimensions) Grate - Gray
POLYCAST DG0670G Class A Slotted DuraGuard HDPE 6"x24"(Nominal Dimensions) Grate - Gray
POLYCAST DG0657RH ADA Compliant Perforated Reinforced Stainless Grate 6"x24" (Nominal) Class C
POLYCAST DG0657RH ADA Compliant Perforated Reinforced Stainless Grate 6"x24" (Nominal) Class C
POLYCAST DG0657R ADA Compliant Perforated Reinforced Stainless Grate 6"x48" (Nominal) Class C
POLYCAST DG0657R ADA Compliant Perforated Reinforced Stainless Grate 6"x48" (Nominal) Class C
1 / of 100Testimonials
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