Stormwater Attenuation Tanks

Specifications and Installation information .

How the Armada Tank design works : The tanks are designed to manage the first flash flood of a downpour and to trickle feed the water back into the drainage system so as not to cause flooding . During a storm the water enters the tank through the Silt trap manhole . Leaves and other debris are removed and the excess water is fed into the Storm tank . The Exit Vortex control valve limits the outflow and the water backs up and thus enters the chamber and fills it up . The air vent valves allow the water to rapidly enter the Tank and to thus store the first flush efficiently . Post the storm the water can easily drain down and run off at the desired rate of flow . Silt and debris is prevented from entering the Tank by a geo Textile wrapping which encapsulates both the tank and the drain pipes . Also there is a silt trap in the inlet manhole . The tank is fully sealed with a plastic impermeable wrap and this is in turn protected from damage by the geo textile wrapping of which there is two ..one layer on each side . How Big a tank do I need ? Armada can have this figure calculated but it is usually determined by the outflow permitted by the Local Authority and or water company . Recent downpours due to unpredictable weather are now pointing to up to 1 in 100 year rainfall return patterns that require to be allowed for . The area draining or built on will give the catchment area and the planners and Water companies will determine the outflow rate for the drainage . The length and height of the tank is determined by the quantity of water to be stored . Who can design the system ? Armada can do directly through our agents or Builders Merchants . Alternately your Engineer or Architect can do this and have a drawing done that we can cost up . The system can be designed with the central distribution pipe located in the middle , at each side or at a single side of the Attenuation Blocks . Tank Layers (of material as seen side cutaway ) Earth / Gravel top layer ( Usually 300mm thick) Geo Textile Filter Layer ( non Woven ) Plastic Membrane 460 gsm ( HDPE or PVC ) Geo Textile Filter Layer ( non Woven ) Armada Storm Box ( 2m x .5m x .5m ) Traffic ( 400kn )or Greenfield ( 200kn ) Geo textile Filter layer ( 200 gsm non Woven ) Plastic membrane 460 gsm ( HDPE or PVC ) Geo textile Filter Layer ( 200 gsm non Woven ) Tank base 50-600 quarry dust compacted + gravel

Advantages of the Armada Stormwater Box :

95% volume of void usable . Saves land when put underground ( as against a pond or tunnel) High loading can drive over the tank thus enabling regulations to be met and additionally use the car park area to install under . Fully sealed tank leak free 25 year life + Quick installationlarge block sizes . More cost efficient than other methods . Lightweight ..no cranes required . Modular can be made in a variety of shapes . Gives up to 3 times the storage of a stone fill tank . Low maintenance . Simple distribution pipe with multiple silt traps . The product of choice for large installations especially on Muddy sites . Manufactured from Recycled PVC get carbon credits . No EPA issues . In Use and Tested design for many years

Product Specification for The Armada Stormwater Box

ISO 14001 & ISO 9002 Certified Process specifically for the manufacture of attenuation modules. Can be used where Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) and EU Water Framework Directives are required and regulations are in force.The Armada Attenuation Floodbox complies with industry norms and is subject to both self-approved and independent stress-testing procedures including third-party testing in accordance with BBA test methods at Loughborough University. Available in the following sizes: 2mtr x 1mtr x 500mm (aprox weight 54Kg) Unit Volume M3: 1M3 2mtr x 500mm x 500mm (aprox weight 27Kg) Unit Volume M3: .5m3 1mtr x 500mm x 500mm (aprox weight 13Kg) Unit Volume M3: .25m3 Design has 95% Void Ratio

Traffic Boxes Vertical Loading (Yield) of > or = 550KN/m2@ 2% deflection. Lateral Loading (Yield) of > or = 75 KN/m2 @ 2% deflection. Non-Traffic Boxes Vertical Loading (Yield) of > or = 275KN/m2@ 2% deflection. ( Greenfield ) Lateral Loading (Yield) of > or = 40 KN/m2 @ 2% deflection.

Installation & Cover Depths: Traffic Areas Minimum Cover Dept .5m Non Traffic Areas Minimum Cover Depth .3m Manufactured from 100% recycled uPVC and HIPS Good resistance to common chemicals EN 14030. Life expectancy > or = 25 years in PH 4 to 9 @25 C.The Armada Floodbox has a UV resistance of 3 months minimum. Minimum delivery 80 m3 per trailer load (i.e 13 pallets ).

Installation Procedures
1. Tank Base Soil survey : It is very important that the soil that will be supporting the base of the tank is tested and checked to determine if it is suitable to support the weight of the tank full of water . A number of tanks have collapsed under top loading due to subsidence of the sand base . An engineer should certify this is suitable first . If the site is a wet water one that floods it will be necessary to have a higher depth , usually equivalent to the depth of the water to hold the tank down after installation . Also if the base is soft it will be necessary to excavate to allow for Hardcore filling to stiffen up the foundations . The Engineer will advise on Vortex control units , Petrol Interceptors and Silt traps 2. Preparing the Tank Void for excavation : Using the design and Excavation drawings provided by the Project Engineer or by Armada mark out the area to be excavated allow a minimum of 1 meter all round the Tank for workspace and backfilling . Taper to 45* for safe working . Excavate the tank to the drawing depth that has been calculated . The Fall gradient should be 1:150 . The levels should be + or 20mm and there should be no sharp objects showing such as stone or waste metal /plastic above ground that could puncture the Waterproof membrane. Spread the sand or gravel bed to a depth of 100-150mmlevel and compress it . Top layer can be 50-60mm of compacted quarry dust . Note : the Armada design has a high 95% void and this minimises the Earthwork and excavation costs , thus speeding up the time on site ..Also the water in the Hole will be required to be pumped out before and work on the excavation can be started . 3. GeoTextile Filter non Woven First layer : Depending on the size and traffic spread the specified Geo textile or non woven material over the bottom of the tank and lap up the sides of the tank . This is to ensure there is enough material to seal the tank . Typically the material will be 200g/m2 or 9kn and is used to protect the Waterproof membrane from puncturing .

4. Waterproof Cover : Now lay the Polythene or PVC impermeable layer on the base over the Geotextile and or Non Woven . Mark the 4 corners, so as to have accurate reference points for laying the Stormwater blocks . Again lap the material up all sides and add 1 m all round for sealing to the top layer when closing off the tank . This material should be a min 460 gsm/m2 . 5. GeoTextile Filter Non Woven Second Layer : Unroll the material and carefully lay up over the waterproof cover ,again lapping up the side walls and allowing for some taping to the top layer of geotextile to close off the top ,usually 300mm. Again this material should be 200 gms /m2 . Mark the Corners so as to know where to position the Blocks . 6. Central Distribution Pipe This pipe should be a twin wall PVC 4% perforated pipe and will typically be 220500mm in Diameter . Cut to length and position as per drawing . The pipe should be supported in place with a concrete support of a minimum of 300mm all round . The inlet will be connected to a Silt Collection Chamber and the Outlet to a Flow Control Chamber ( some will have a Vortex Control unit attached ) . The pipe should be wrapped in a non woven filter material ..200gsm/m2 . This layer should be wrapped additionally up the sides of the blocks that are proud to the central distribution pipe so as to prevent silt blocking the flow . The gap that will accommodate the pipe should typically be 600mm wide . 7.Armada Stormwater Blocks Positioning : With the 4 corner marks and following the drawing stack the blocks to the required height . Ensure they are correctly aligned with the design flows . Line the Distribution pipe trench with stone 15-45 mm size to the level of the blocks at the top . On top of the stone lay a perforated vent pipe along the length of the installation 100-150mm twin wall PVC pipe ,sealed at the downstream end . This is a vent pipe to allow for air to escape when the tank is filling and is connected to the upstream manhole by a solid PVC Pipe . Seal the entry with a sleeve and glue and tape up . NB : support the vent pipe until the connection is made and the backfilling is in place so as to prevent distortion of the vent pipe . 8. Close off the tank : Carefully fold over each layer and roll back the material so as to form the top layer from the starting roll . Using Jointing Tape or glue seal the layers together with overlaps of min 150mm and use the recommended adhesive . The waterproof layer is very important and that it is sealed properly either with waterproof lining tape or the relevant adhesive . Double protect the corners with spare material as these are most prone to puncturing and damage . 9.Attach Top Hats to Central Distribution Pipe ; At each end of the Distribution Pipe carefully cut back the material . Glue or weld the Top Hat to the waterproof material and when set dry push the Distribution pipe through the top hat so as to sleeve it outside the tank . Overlap the distribution pipe with a neoprene seal and slide a jubilee clip over and screw tightly so it will have a waterproof seal . Connect the central Distribution pipe to the manholes at the inlet and outlet with solid PVC pipe . Manholes are normally 3m from the Distribution pipe .

10 . Backfilling : Now the tank is complete a final inspection should be done of all fittings , welds , seals and manholes . Measure and check the installation is to specification . Backfill the recess at the sides and top with the specified stone and compact . Usually the installation will have a 300mm layer covering the top so as to allow Traffic but up to 650mm if machinery is to travel on the top . NB layer the material in 300mm depths and never use site debris. 11. Approval and Sign off The site owner or developer should be shown the location of the development and have it marked off . If a trafficked installation a sign should show maximum loading . If a Greenfield installation a sign should warn traffic to keep away and also show the max loading . NB : The rooftop of the tank must be lower than the lowest gully trap on site or the tank may not work efficiently .

Armada Soakaway Units .

These units are bespoke designed and installations are usually quite small i.e 1025m3 in size and are normally associated with Rainwater Harvesting or Septic tanks . They are similar to Stormwater tanks but are smaller , narrower , and have no waterproof covering . SUDS and Planning laws , EPA and regulations also can specify the run off control and filtering required . 1. Test the Soil : It is advisable to evaluate the speed of soil infiltration . An Engineer or Armada can advise technical help to work this out . Knowledge of the area draining volume and the soakaway area will be required . If no tests or information can be provided we can estimate the size required . Check with planning and Engineer to have the unit positioned as there are different regulations as to how close the unit can be positioned to a building . 2. The Installation : Consists of a) Manhole with Silt trap tank . can very from 300-500mm . b) 8kn Non woven soft filter wrap c) 225mm Half Perforated diffuser pipe . d) Vent pipe usually goes back to the manhole .e) 150mm of 14 or 20mm single sized clean drainage stone all round Armada Geocell units top , bottom and sides . 3.Sign post the installation with loading values noted .

Maintenance
The main benefit in using an Armada system is that there is little maintenance required . Silt pits and gullies should be inspected regularly and cleared if required of leaves and debris . Also the manholes and exit pipes should be inspected . The system can be further flushed through the vent pipes . Generally there is little maintenance . Laboratory testing : All products have been tested to industry standards and BS standards by a recognised laboratory . Copies of test results can be provided on request . BS standard 6399 part 1 1996 .

Health and Safety :

1. Type of material : Polyvinyl Chloride PVC . Also PVC Adhesive . 2. Hazards : There are no Health risks from normal use . Product is similar to PVC as used in windows and Soffits . The material may contain colour masterbatches and stabilisers that are toxic before extrusion but are now embedded in the plastic . No leaching of compounds from the plastic in the ground . 3. First Aid Measures : Not applicable other than to wear gloves when handling . 4. Fire Fighting : PVC is hard to set alight but are classed as self extinguishing . The material will give off a thick black smoke when alight and the fumes are toxic . Breathing apparatus and protective clothing required to manage a fire . 5. Handling and Storage : Do not store in Direct sunlight for prolonged periods due to UV light effect . The blocks are delivered on Pallets which can weigh up to 680kg . normal material handling rules apply to lifting . Do not stack more than 3 high or stack on unstable ground . Do not store near a high heat source such as a boiler . 6. Protection : Again wear Strong gloves when handling . If cutting wear Glasses or goggles and a respiratory disposable mask due to the dust 7. Environmental : Not readily biodegradable . Non Toxic to marine life 8. Dumping and recycling : The material is recyclable ..suggest return to manufacturer or plastic recycling company locally.

Important Note :

The handling , storage and use and disposal of Armada products are beyond our use and Armada disclaim all liability for loss damage injury or expense in any way connected with such activities . Also we make no warranties . express or implied as to the suitability of the product for any particular use . These data sheets have been compiled by Armada Innovations using information to hand and is provided without any representation to its accuracy and does not constitute a guarantee of the of the product or its properties .