GB2485429A - Floor drain T piece comprising an internal deflector - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a T piece for a floor drainage channel, wherein the channel comprises a deflector D which allows improved flow through the drainage system and allows cameras and or rodding hoses to be more easily directed to either side leg of the T piece. The T piece allows such operations as maintenance and flushing out of perimeter floor drains to be carried out from a chamber lid. The T piece may be part of a perimeter floor drain made from a single section or two sections comprising a lower section and an upper section. The T piece may be separate to the channel section and attached to the channel section by gluing, rivets, screws or suitable fittings. Slots (S figure 8c) may be cut be cut through the T piece wall and the deflector inserted through the slots.

Description

Perimeter floor drain T piece ffaclcground This invention relates to a method for gaining access into a perimeter floor drain and flushing out the perimeter floor drain via the link drain from a sump/pump chamber.

Perimeter floor drains have long been used in buildings for basements subject to water ingress. Perimeter floor drains can also be used as part of a flood protection system.

Perimeter floor drains are positioned inside the building, at the wall to floor joint, usually installed below the wall and floor construction and as such are difficult to access.

Currently, commercially available perimeter floor drains are in the form of a P.V.C. drainage channel conduit specifically designed for the control of water ingress. The channel is fitted around the floor perimeter at the wall/floor joint. Water entering the building through the walls is collected by the channel at the base of the wall. Water rising from below the floor through the floor/wall joint is also collected by the channel. The channel can also collect water ingress from behind cavity membranes fixed to walls and/or laid over floor slabs. The water enters the channel via a series of pre-drilled holes and is then runs along the channel to a link drain which takes it to a suitable drainage point, either natural or a mechanical sump/puxnp installation.

Two versions of drainage channel conduit are available (with and without upstand). The version with an upstand is primarily used with cavity membranes in situations where the channel can be laid close to the wall and is generally called a perimeter floor drain. The version without the upstand is generally called a floor drain as opposed to a perimeter floor drain and is used where the channel cannot be laid close to the wall e.g. where high level foundations prevent the channel being fitted close to the wall or across areas of floor where it is necessary to incorporate extra drains due to large floor area or the presence of construction joints, The channel itself is usually in the shape of a trapezium to both aid installation and provide adequate flow rates along the drain. The link drain from perimeter floor drain to sump/pump runs across the floor and is usually a section of floor drain.

Rodding points or rodding eyes can be provided for access into the drainage system. Access is necessary for maintenance and cleaning purposes and it is usual to insert drain inspection cameras and water hoses along the length of the drains when flushing out the system.

Such current rodding points or eyes are usually adaptations of small diameter (50-75mm) domestic waste pipe fittings involving a vertical entry pipe into the horizontal soffit of a perimeter floor drain. It is very difficult to direct a drain inspection camera when it enters the perimeter floor drain through a right angle bend. Similarly problems occur with the attempted introduction of de-scaling fluid, hoses for flushing and cleaning out the perimeter floor drain.

The process of flushing any sediment blindly along the perimeter floor drain may free sediment from inside the drain only to deposit it further along the drain and possibly cause a problem in another area such as the link or floor drain that carries water and any debris from the perimeter floor drain to the sump and pump. Eventually, the blockages in perimeter floor drains, link drains and installations will lead to water ingress onto the floors of a building.

The likelihood of blockages increases with time as they are due to the silt and dissolved salts carried into the building by the water which is a continuous process. The salts enter in solution and recrystallize in the perimeter floor drain due to changes in temperature, concentration, pH, ionic strength of solute and the availability of silt particles to nucleate the recrystallization process. Blockages of silt deposition and salt recrystallization are made worse by the physical need to lay the perimeter floor drains dead level (floors are level). The dead level perimeter floor drains inevitably produce areas of standing water and standing water is ideal for recrystallization. Any recrystallization produces a minor blockage that produces larger areas of standing water and so the process escalates.

Another very important consideration is that the current rodding points or eyes are aesthetically unacceptable to the majority of building occupiers. Circular drainage end caps are sometimes left protruding from the floor around the perimeter of the room. In some installations a flexible domestic waste pipe is adapted to join the perimeter floor drain soffit to an inspection plate fitted in the centre of the wall above the skirting board. The presence of such drainage caps or wall mounted inspection plates places a stigma on the property that is an embarrassment to the occupier, particularly in domestic installations to combat flooding or provide extra living space in a basement.

A new method is needed to gain access to perimeter floor drain installations for periodic inspection, maintenance, de-scaling, flushing, defect location and rodent control.

Statement of Invention

To overcome this, the present invention proposes a deflector within the T piece that joins the sump/pump chamber link drain to the perimeter floor drain. The T piece may be rigid or alternatively constructed from two separate lengths of floor drain which are joined together but still able to move relative to each other to allow some adjustment of the right angle join during installation.

Advantages The large sump/pump chamber lid can be used as an access point into the perimeter floor drain via the link drain.

The sump/pump chamber lid can be up to 600mm square and offers much better access for cameras, hoses and debris removal than small diameter (50-75mm) domestic waste pipe fittings.

With a standard T piece connecting the link drain to the perimeter floor drain the cameras and hoses can be pushed along the link drain only until they hit the opposing wall of the perimeter floor drain, there is often great difficulty in getting the equipment to turn the right angle corner into the run of the perimeter floor drain. Even if the equipment can be pushed around the right angle corner into the perimeter floor drain there is no control over whether the equipment will be passing into the left or right hand drain run. However, a deflector fitted into the T piece allows camera and/or hose to turn the corner and be pushed along the perimeter floor drain, inserting the equipment into the left hand side of the link drain will ensure it contacts the deflector and is directed along the left hand drain run and vice versa.

When in use the perimeter floor drain collects water and the deflector within the T piece will deflect water flowing along the perimeter floor drain into the link drain instead of letting it run past and along the run of the perimeter floor drain.

Currently with a standard T piece the water collected in the perimeter floor drain flows from two opposite directions and meets in the T piece causing turbulence and reduced flow rates into the link drain.

Deflection of water from both sides of T piece into one smooth flow in the link drain will increase water flow rates and the drainage capacity of the whole system.

Sediment and debris can often only be removed from the drainage system by flushing it with water along the perimeter floor drain and into the sump/pump chamber. At present the water usually carries the flushed sediment along the perimeter floor drain and straight through the I piece and not into the link drain and sumpipump chamber as required for removal. The flushing process involves sequential flushing from alternate sides of the T piece, eventually ending with some sediment flushed down the link drain and some left lying in the perimeter floor drain and T piece itself During the flushing operation, the deflector will deflect sediment into the link drain and prevent it passing straight through the T piece into the opposing section of perimeter floor drain leading to a much more efficient and successful drain flushing operation.

The deflector removes the need for a rodding pointleye at the I piece as access is now possible via link drain and sump/pump chamber. This is important as the T piece, link drain and sump/pump chamber are usually positioned where there will be easy and unobstructed access to the chamber lid. This in turn means that the T piece is usually in the centre of a wall or a well trafficked corner and in both situations the access point fitted to the T piece is readily seen and becomes an aesthetic issue for occupiers.

The deflector within the T Piece provides support for the T Piece top section which is generally a weak point that is prone to damage during installation as the perimeter floor drain and link drain all meet at one point and the top section is poorly supported.

The T piece with movable link drain connection allows for adjustments of the right angle corner between perimeter floor drain and link drain which are often needed during installation.

The T piece with the link drain connection set inside the perimeter floor drain run has an invert which is lower that the perimeter floor drain at that point and so helps with the movement of water into the link drain and subsequently the sump.

The method will now be explained and examples of the invention described by referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 a plan view to show a typical manufacturers layout for a perimeter floor drain system.

Figure 2 a plan view to show a typical manufacturers layout for a perimeter floor drain system that includes jeff ing points.

Figure 3 is a line drawing to show manufacturers products and installation instructions for a typical perimeter floor drain system.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional drawing to show a typical manufacturers sump and pump installation for use in a perimeter floor drain system where the building has insulated floor and walls.

Figure 5 is a plan view of perimeter floor drain, link drain and sump chamber to show access for camera or hose.

Figure 6 is a plan view to show water andior sediment flowing into sump chamber.

Figure 7 is line drawing of a T piece with deflector attached.

Figure 8 shows examples of the invention.

Figure 9 is a line drawing to show an example of attaching the deflector to a I piece.

Figure 10 is an end elevation of the I piece with the deflector seen inside the T piece of the perimeter floor drain.

Figure 11 is a line drawing to show a T piece can be constructed from top sections of a two part floor drain.

Figure 12 is a line drawing to show a T piece can be constructed from a one piece perimeter floor drain.

iStailed description

Figure 1 is a plan from a manufacturer to show the layout and flow direction of water ingress for a perimeter floor drain installation. The external walls B have a perimeter floor drain A that runs around the inside of the room. The direction of water flow is shown by arrows C. The water flows around the perimeter floor drain to a link drain U that takes water from the perimeter floor drain under the concrete slab to the sump chamber D. The sump chamber D contains a pump that removes the water collected via a drain E which takes water to the outside of the building. Drain E may be an ordinary foul connection for basement applications or for a flood mitigation system a simple domestic waste pipe that exits the building at high level above expected flood depth. This is a typical manufacturers layout with no allowance for access or maintenance of the perimeter floor drains. As a direct result of revisions made to BS8 102 in 2009 accessibility for maintenance is now required for all perimeter floor drainage installations.

Figure 2 is a plan to show a typical manufacturers layout for a perimeter floor drain installation that includes jetting points (jetting points allow hoses to be inserted for flushing through with water). Also provided are optional locations for sump installation. The masonry walls are shown as B and the perimeter floor drains as A. The jetting points I are required at every change of direction and/or are sometimes also needed at the centre of walls, in particular at the T piece where the link drain meets the perimeter floor drain. The presence of floor sited drain caps and/or wall mounted inspection hatches in the middle of a wall just above the skirting board places a stigma on the property and is greatly objected to by occupiers. Alternative positions are given for sump location, the first position F is in the centre of a wall and inset into the central floor area and needs a T piece and link drain 01 to carry water from the perimeter floor drain run A to the sump F. The second sump position El is in the floor near to a corner again using a T piece and link drain 02 to carry water from perimeter floor drain run A to sump H. Unfortunately using the jetting points J to flush water into the perimeter floor drains A often results in sediment being flushed around the perimeter floor drains and not entering the link drain (It and sump for removal.

Figure 3 is a line thawing to show manufacturers product and installation details for a typical perimeter floor drain installation. Item (1). is the drainage channel conduit that forms the perimeter floor drain for the area to be waterproofed. Item (I) is fitted at the join of wall and floor and collects water ingress at this join and from any fitted wall and floor membranes, the optional vertical upstand is fitted against the external wall. The link drain (4) is used to collect water from the perimeter floor drain (1) and take it to the sump (7). The perimeter floor drain corner piece (2) is a ninety degree bend. The T piece (3) forms a rigid right angle connection from the perimeter floor drain (1) to take the water into the link drain (4) and hence to sump (7). Flushing water usually passes straight through T piece (3) and along the perimeter drains (1) instead of turning through a right angle to enter link drain (4). Adaptor (5) may be used by some manufacturers to converts the link drain profile to a pipe for transfer by a typically 75 mm pipe (6) to sump (7). Usually the sump and pump is installed within the concrete floor slab and a link drain in the form of floor drain (4) connects the perimeter floor drain (1) to the sump chamber (7).

Figure 4 is a cross sectional drawing to show a typical manufacturers sump and pump installation. The building has insulated framed external walls T and an insulated floor N. The masonry wall B has a dry-lined or framed wall construction T that supports a wall membrane K and plasterboard L. Skirting board U is fitted to wall. The sump chamber H is set into the concrete slab P. Over the slab is a membrane M with layer of insulation V and floating timber or screed floor N. The water ingress is collected by the perimeter floor drain A and runs to the T piece W that transfers the water to the link drain G which then transfers water to the sump chamber H. The pump S can then remove water from building via drain E. Figure 5 is a plan view of perimeter floor drain, T piece, link drain and sump chamber to show access for camera or hose. The left hand side (a) shows perimeter floor drain A with a standard T piece W that joins the perimeter floor drain to the link drain G. Link drain G runs to the sump/pump chamber H. The drain inspection camera or hose R can enter through the sumpipump chamber lid and be pushed along the link drain G. When R reaches the T piece it cannot negotiate the corner into the perimeter floor drain and hits against the channel wall, there is no way to direct the camera or hose around the corner and along the perimeter floor drain.

In Figure 5 the right hand side (b) the T piece has the deflector D attached. The drain inspection camera or hose R can now get around the corner into the length of the perimeter floor drain. By means of pushing R along different sides of the link drain both lengths of perimeter floor drain on either side of the T piece can now be accessed. The deflector D provides a constant radius for the bend in the inspection camera or hose and prevents kinking as they are fed through the T piece W along the perimeter floor drain A. Figure 6 is a plan view to show water and/or sediment flowing into the sumpipump chamber.

The flushing water has been introduced through jetting points set into the perimeter floor drain. In this plan the perimeter floor drain A is connected to the link drain 0 with a T piece W. The T piece W has a deflector D attached. This plan shows the drainage system in use.

The arrows C show the flow of water through the system. The perimeter floor drain collects water though pre-drilled holes in the channel sides, this water runs to the T piece where it is deflected by D into the link drain 0 and hence on to sump/pump chamber H. The arrows C show flow of water and/or flow of sediment when the drainage system is being cleaned by flushing out. The deflector D stops water and/or sediment being washed back and forth across the end of the link drain and deflects flows into the link drain 0. Subsequently, sediment can be removed by way of the sumpipump chamber lid.

Figure 7 is line drawing of a T piece with deflector attached. The T piece can be part of a perimeter floor drain with an upstand that fits against a wall or part of a floor drain with no upstand. The I piece can also be made from one or more sections, for example the line thawing figure 7 shows the lower section or channel section of a two part T piece. The fitment of a top section with an upstand will make this a perimeter floor drain T piece, the fitment of a top section without upstand will make a floor drain T piece. Prior to fitment of the top section the deflector D can be seen attached to the T piece. An option with a two part T piece is to attach the deflector to the underside of the top section before it is fitted to the lower section. The deflector will provide support for the top section when fitted. This line thawing shows the lower section shaped as a trapezium as this shape is convenient for installation and has good water carrying capacity, however the invention is applicable to any channel shape used for carrying fluids. The deflector D is shown as flat, however in some situations other shapes may be better, any shape such as curved or made from a series of flat or curved plates can be used as a deflector attached to the T piece. This drawing shows a rigid connection at the I piece join, this connection may be made movable to facilitate installation.

Figure 8 shows examples of the invention and how the deflector may be attached to the T piece. There are four plan views, plan (a) shows deflector D attached inside the T piece W. The deflector is simply glued or attached with suitable fittings such as rivets and/or screws.

Plan (b) shows the shape of the deflector formed actually as part of the body of the T piece itself. Plan (c) shows where slots S have been cut through the walls of the T piece and deflector D is inserted through the slots S to hold the deflector in place inside the T piece.

Plan (d) shows a deflector D with arms Y that clip around the ends of the T piece to hold the deflector in place. This attachment option is useful where the T piece is of one part construction (no removable top section) and the arms may be clipped and glued in place.

Figure 9 is a line drawing to show an example of attaching the deflector to a T piece. This method of attachment can be used for any type of T piece. Shown is a one part T piece and the underside of the T piece is shown with slots S cut. The deflector is inserted from inside the T piece fitting into slots and may be glued in place.

Figure 10 is an end elevation of the T piece with the deflector D seen inside the T piece of the perimeter floor drain. Deflector passes through slots in channel side and may be glued along joint X. * Figure 11 is a line drawing to show a typical example of the construction of a T piece. The T piece is constructed from the top section of a two part floor drain. The deflector D is attached to the underside of the top section with suitable fittings such as rivets. The length of top section A has the side cut away at E to allow the insertion of part B which is then secured to A with fittings through holes C which allow rotational movement. This rotational movement allows for adjustments during installation. The pan B is fitted under part A so the invert of pan B is lower that A to help movement of water from perimeter floor drain to link drain, Initially during installation, the lower or channel section of the two part perimeter floor drain is fitted around the room. When the position for the sump and link drain has been established the side wall is cut out of the lower or channel section and the T piece can then be fitted onto the channel section. Rotational movement between parts A and B via fittings through holes C allows for easier alignment of the link drain to the sump. In use the invert of the link drain below B is lower than the invert of the perimeter floor drain below part A, this along with the deflector D helps water to flow from the perimeter floor drain into the link drain.

Figure 12 is a line drawing to show another typical example of the construction of a T piece.

The I piece is constructed from a one part perimeter floor drain. The deflector D is attached to the inside of part A. The length of perimeter floor drain A has the side cut away at E to correspond with the required position of the sump and link drain connection. Part B is inserted into part A and secured with a rotatable connection such as a rivet through holes C. Therefore, the link drain connection at the T piece can rotate to ease connections and the invert of the start of the link drain is lower than that of the perimeter floor drain to encourage water to pass from the perimeter floor drain into the link drain.

Claims (7)

1. SClaims 1. A drainage channel conduit I piece with a deflector.
2. 2. A drainage channel conduit I piece as in claim 1 made from a one part system or the top section of a two part system.
3. 3. A drainage channel conduit T piece according to previous claims that allows rotational movement for the link drain connection.
4. 4. A drainage channel conduit I piece according to previous claims where the link drain invert connection is lower than the perimeter floor drain invert.
5. 5. A method and drainage channel conduit T piece substantially as herein described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.* . S 10 Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows.Claims 1. An improved T piece as part of a water drainage channel arranged to collect water in the cavity of a waterproofing structure, the waterproofing structure defines with at least one of an adjacent wall, floor, roof and ceiling a cavity therebetween and comprising, a first passageway having first and second ends and a second passageway pivotally connected to and intersecting the said first passageway.2. The T piece of claim 1, further comprising a second passageway invert that is lower than the first passageway invert.3. The T piece of claim 1, further comprising a support that spans between invert and soffit of the first passageway at the intersection in order to support the soffit and top section of the water drainage channel.4. The T piece of claim 1, made from the top section of a two part water drainage channel.5. A rigid T piece that is modified and retro-fitted with at least one of the features in the preceding claims.
6. 6. A T piece substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
7. 7. A method substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.S s.o.s * . S ** * * 0s * SS*...q* * 0 Sn * * .,