1. ADA Grate
Any grate built to specifications compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990).
2. Alfa Channel
A modular, pre-cast, pre-engineered polymer concrete (PC) trench drain forming system. The polymer concrete trench is an in-situ liner, encapsulated in Portland cement concrete, providing an enhanced degree of corrosion resistance.
3. Area Drain
A receptacle designed to collect surface runoff or rain water from a elevation contour defined watershed area.
4. Bar Grate
A drain grate constructed with bars varying in type and material.
5. Cable Chase
A structure for housing cables located in the floor surface or within the floor structure (see cable conduit), typically formed in the floor surface or made of lightweight metals installed during initial construction or as a retrofit.
6. Cable Conduit
A thin walled metal or PVC pipe serving a dual function as a shield and ducting for cables and wiring. See Cable Chase.
7. Cable Trench
A conduit trench built into the ground, typically required for larger, higher voltage cables or piping. See Utility Trench. See Pathway Trench.
8. Cast Grate
A grate made using a standardized casting process.
9. Cast Iron Grate
A cast drain grate, usually referring to grey cast iron, but also includes ferrous alloys.
10. Cast-in-place Trench
A system designed to allow on-site construction of a cast trench drain for added convenience and site-specific accommodation. Cast–in-place trenches are generally constructed utilizing trench forming systems or formwork.
11. Catch Basin
A reservoir for collecting surface runoff via outlet piping. The catch basin may incorporate a debris trap.
12. Drain Cover
A cover placed on top of of a drain, usually slotted or perforated to allow liquid inflow, or solid to prevent liquid inflow.
13. Drain Flow
A term used in analyzing the liquid volume of a drainage system, specifically concerning factors such as drainage velocity and overall liquid capacity. Drain flow is normally expressed in gallons per minute (gpm), cubic feet per second (cfs) or their metric equivalents.
14. Drain Grate
Slotted or perforated coverings that run the length of a drain, designed to allow liquid inflow and reduce the hazard of personal injury. The drain grate may also serve to modify the overall load bearing properties of the trench system.
15. Ductile Iron Grate
A drain grate constructed of ductile iron, which is generally more malleable than normal cast iron.
16. E-Z Frame
A MultiDrain steel trench forming system component, integrated specifically with the MultiDrain drainage system, named for its shape and simplicity of design.
17. EconoDrain
Pre-engineered expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam trench drain forming system.
18. EPS Trench Forms
Trench forms made of expanded polystyrene foam (EPS).
19. Fiberglass Grate
A drain grate constructed of fiberglass and thermoset resin.
20. Floor Drain
A fixture providing an opening through the floor to drain water into a plumbing system.
21. Flow
A description of liquid movement.
22. Frame and Grate
The combination of an attached metal frame and its supported trench drain grate. The frame provides a durable grate bearing surface and may also allow mechanical attachment of the grate.
23. French Drain
An underground passage for water or other liquids, consisting of loose stones covered with earth. Modern adaptations incorporate perforated pipe for storage and transmission.
24. FRP
Fiberglass reinforced plastic.
25. Galvanized Grate
A grate fabricated of pre-galvanized metal or hot dipped, after fabrication, with zinc to inhibit corrosion.
26. Galvanizing
A chemical process where zinc is bonded to metal providing corrosion resistant protection and inhibiting steel from rusting. Galvanizing is a sacrificial layer having an effective life dependent on its environment.
27. Grate Frame
The frame component of a drain frame and grate. Grate frames typically enhance load capability performance as well as provide a more robust wear and support structure for the grate.
28. Grated Inlet
Referring to the point of a drainage system at which liquid enters, covered by a grate for the purposes of safety and debris filtration.
29. Grated Line Drain
A drain constructed along a single horizontal axis, grated across its entire length to allow liquid intake along its entire length. See Trench Drain. See Line Drain.
30. In-Line Catch Basin
A catch basin designed to the same specifications as the other elements of a drainage system for easy integration at any point in that system. It is typically located to facilitate attachment of an outlet or transmission pipe to evacuate water collected by the trench drain and may incorporate a debris trap.
31. Line Drain
See Trench Drain.
32. Modular Trench
A trench formed of multiple identical parts or modules. Alfa Channel is a modular trench system. EconoDrain and MultiDrain are modular, pre-sloped trench drain forming systems.
33. MultiDrain™
Pre-engineered metal trench forming/liner system manufactured by MultiDrain Systems, Inc.
34. Pathway Trench
A trench normally constructed for a specialized purpose such as cables, low voltage or steering wiring, piping conduit…etc. where the ability to access the materials housed inside the trench at some point in the future is a desired advantage. See Utility Trench.
35. Polymer Concrete Trench Drain
Trench drain composed of polymer concrete, which is created by mixing and curing a thermo-setting resin binder with materials like quartz, granite, and basalt. Its attributes include superior strength and corrosion resistance compared to Portland cement concrete (PCC). Alfa Channel is a Polymer Concrete Trench Drain system.
36. Pour-in-place Trench
Describing the element of design and construction of a trench drain forming system utilizing pre-set forms or a trench forming system to define the characteristics of the finished product. See Cast-In-Place.
37. Pre-sloped Trench
A trench constructed to predetermined slope specifications of varying degrees.
38. Site Drain
Term describing the drainage system determined ideal for a specific location or site, or the existing drainage system at that site.
39. Slab Drain
A trench incorporated into a concrete slab for drainage purposes.
40. Slotted Drain
Describes a drain covered by a slotted grate. See Trench Drain, Grated Line Drain.
41. Stainless Steel Grate
A grate constructed of stainless steel.
42. Storm Drain
A drain designed to manage predicted flows of storm water runoff.
43. Strip Drain
Another term for a trench drain.
44. Sump
A low-lying point that receives drainage where surface runoff is routed and typically evacuated via piping. See Catch Basin. See In-Line Catch Basin.
45. Surface Drainage
Term used when determining the drainage needs of a specific site, referring specifically to anticipated liquid evident at ground level for a given event.
46. Trench Channel
See Trench Drain.
47. Trench Cover
A cover, generally closed or not having any open area, which covers a trench drain.
48. Trench Drain
A drain geometry consisting of a dominant trough or channel, engineered for the rapid evacuation of surface water. See Line Drain, Grated Line Drain.
49. Trench Flow
A term used to describe the liquid volume of a trench drain. Trench Flow is normally expressed in gallons per minute (gpm), cubic feet per second (cfs) or their metric equivalents.
50. Trench Forming
Describes construction elements and techniques designed to create a trench in which a drainage system will be placed. The EconoDrain, EconoDrain PT-3, MultiDrain, and Alfa Channel product lines are all trench forming drainage systems.
51. Trench Grate
A grate, generally slotted or containing some degree of open area, which covers a trench drain.
52. Utility Trench
A non-drainage trench for routing pipes and cables. A utility trench is normally topped with a solid removable cover.