ACO Trench Drain Systems

ACO Drain is the world’s leading modular trench drain system, engineered with cast polymer concrete bodies and durable edge rails in galvanized steel, stainless steel, or cast iron.Available in 2″, 4″, 8″, and 12″ internal widths, ACO Drain offers up to 130 ft (40 m) of built-in continuous slope. Designed for versatility, it provides reliable solutions for applications ranging from pedestrian areas to heavy-duty environments such as airports.A wide selection of grates is offered, featuring various materials, designs, and load ratings to suit different performance needs.

ACO Trench Drain Systems: A Practical Guide for Reliable Surface Water Control

ACO Drain® is a modular trench drain system made from cast polymer concrete with durable edge rails (galvanized steel, stainless steel, or cast iron). Channels are available in 2″, 4″, 8″, and 12″ internal widths and can be installed with a built-in continuous slope up to 130 ft (40 m) for fast, predictable water removal. A wide range of grates—mesh, slotted, perforated, and ductile iron—covers everything from pedestrian plazas to heavy-duty sites like airports.

Trench drain capturing runoff in a residential backyard — Trench drain inlet intercepting sheet flow before it reaches the patio.

How Trench Drains Work

A trench drain is a long, narrow channel installed flush with the surface. Water enters through the grate, flows along the channel, and exits to a pipe or outfall. In ACO systems, the built-in slope (up to 130 ft / 40 m) accelerates flow, which helps move water off the surface quickly and reduces ponding.

Why polymer concrete? It’s a dense, non-porous composite that resists freeze-thaw damage and chemical attack. In plain terms, it’s tough, smooth, and long-lasting—ideal for frequent wet-dry cycles and de-icing salts.

Key Benefits at a Glance

Modular channels for fast layout and consistent slopes.
Grate options for different aesthetics and load ratings.
Edge rails (galvanized, stainless, cast iron) protect channel lips and extend life.
Wide width range (2″–12″) to match flow and footprint needs.

Channel drain detail with slotted grate in hardscape — Low-profile channel drain with slotted grate integrated into pavers.

How to Choose the Right ACO Trench Drain

Selecting the right drain starts with site conditions and load rating. Load classes scale from pedestrian areas up to heavy vehicles—e.g., Load Class E supports severe duty like industrial yards and airport aprons (think heavy trucks).

Fast Selection Checklist

Flow & contributing area: Estimate runoff from roofs, pavements, and slopes.
Channel width: 2″, 4″, 8″, or 12″ internal—match volume and debris expectations.
Grate material/design: Mesh, slotted, perforated, or ductile iron—balance slip resistance, heel-safety, and aesthetics.
Load rating: Pedestrian (light) → forklift/truck routes (heavy, up to Class E).
Edge rail material: Galvanized steel (value), stainless steel (corrosion resistance), cast iron (heavy-duty durability).
Outlet strategy: End outlet, bottom outlet, sump boxes, or tie-in to storm pipe.

Plain-English tip: If the drain crosses vehicle paths, size for load first; if it runs along patios/walkways, lead with grate style, heel-safety, and slip resistance.

Installed trench drain along a backyard edge capturing water — Clean edge finish with durable rails and a heel-safe grate.

Spotlight: ACO K100 Trench Drain (4" Internal Width)

The ACO K100 is a general-purpose, 4″-wide modular system with continuous slope installation up to 130 ft for efficient water management. Choose galvanized or stainless steel edge rails to match environment and aesthetics.

Feature	What it Means (Plain-English)
Boltless locking (DrainLok® / QuickLok®)	Secure grates quickly—no loose bolts to manage.
Anti-shunt lugs + numbered channels	Grates don’t shift under load; channels line up accurately.
Grate options up to Load Class E	Can handle heavy vehicles where required.
4″ internal width	Great balance of capacity and compact footprint.

Where K100 fits best: commercial entries, plazas, pool decks, garages, small vehicle crossings, and long runs where built-in slope improves flow without complex grading.

Installation Overview (Step-by-Step)

Layout & slope: Snap chalk lines and confirm outlet points. Use ACO’s numbered channels to maintain the designed fall along the run.
Excavate & base: Trench to depth/width per spec; compact subgrade; add a stable gravel or concrete base (per load class).
Set channels: Start at outlet. Bed channels in fresh concrete; keep grating frames true to finish grade.
Join & align: Use the modular joints; check numbering to keep slope sequence correct.
Pour surround: Place concrete haunching to the required thickness and load rating.
Install grates: Snap in with DrainLok or QuickLok; verify seating and anti-shunt engagement.
Finish & test: Set adjacent pavers/asphalt/concrete; flush test to verify positive flow to outlet.

Tip: For vehicular crossings, follow the manufacturer’s concrete surround details and pick a grate that matches the expected wheel loads.

Case Study: Regrading a Retail Parking Lot to Stop Flooding

Project Snapshot

Location: Suburban retail center
Problem: Stormwater ponding along storefronts after 1–2″ rain events
Constraints: Minimal downtime, mixed pedestrian/vehicle traffic, frequent de-icing salt use

Solution

Engineers specified an ACO K100 run with built-in slope over ~100 ft, tying into the site’s existing storm line via a sump box and end outlet. Cast iron grates (Load Class E) were selected across drive lanes for durability, while heel-safe slotted stainless grates were used near storefront walkways for pedestrian comfort.

Results

Standing water eliminated: Graded flow and continuous slope moved runoff to the outlet during peak events.
Lower maintenance: Anti-shunt lugs kept grates seated under traffic; boltless locks sped up seasonal checks.
Better customer experience: No splash-through at entrances; safer footing on heel-safe grates.

Takeaway: Matching load class to traffic patterns and using the built-in channel slope were the two biggest wins.

Frequently Asked Questions

What load class do I need?

Pedestrians/bikes: light duty. Parking aisles/delivery access: look to heavy duty (up to Class E for severe service). When in doubt, size for the heaviest wheel load crossing the drain.

Which edge rails should I choose?

Galvanized steel for value in general sites, stainless for corrosive/wet or coastal areas, and cast iron where impact and wheel loads are frequent.

How do I keep debris out?

Use heel-safe or tighter grate patterns where leaves and mulch are common. Add upstream screens where applicable, and include accessible clean-outs or sump boxes.