Q: Can I buy products direct from ACO?

A: ACO Building Drainage products are mainly sold through builder merchants and stockists. To find a local stockist or merchant of an ACO product, use the location tool which can be found on the left hand side of the screen.

Select the product you require from the drop down list and enter your postcode. You will then be provided with a list of local stockists and merchants in your area.

ACO strongly recommends that you contact the stockist or merchant to ensure they have stock of the product you require. But where necessary the product also can be purchased directly from us.

Q: I require pricing. Who do I talk to?

A: Initial enquires are handled by our ACO Building Drainage Sales Team. Please call 01462 816666 or email bdcs@aco.co.uk

Q: What is the expected delivery lead time?

A: Standard product 3-5 days subject to stock availability, Modified product 7-10 days, and bespoke 3-5 weeks.

Q: I need technical advice. Who do I talk to?
A: The ACO Building Drainage Design Services Team can provide advice on the specification, hydraulic design and installation of any ACO product. You can contact the team in a number of ways:

1. Submit an enquiry using the form opposite
2. Call the team on 01462 816666 and ask for Building Drainage Technical.
3. Email the team at buildingdrainagebespoke@aco.co.uk

Q: How do I find out the dimensions of a product?
A: There are many different ACO systems available. Once selection has been made, please visit the correct product page and download the main brochure.
Product codes, dimensions and installations details are all provided within this literature.

Q: I have a broken or damaged grating, can it be replaced?
A: In most cases, the grating should be able to be replaced. But this will depend on the age of the product range and whether it is still available from ACO.

Firstly we need to identify exactly which grating you have. In order for the ACO Building Drainage Design Services Team to do this, you should provide as much information as you can. If possible please supply answers to the following questions:

1. What is the overall grating width?
2. Is "ACO" marked on the grating?
3. Are there any further markings on the grating?
4. What type of fixing and how many fixings are provided per half metre?

Providing a digital photo would also assist with this type of enquiry. Please send images along with answers to the above questions to buildingdrainagebespoke@aco.co.uk
File size should not exceed 5Mb.

Q: What Load Class do I require?
A: The answer to this question is dependent on where the drainage system will be used. There are six load classes recognised in BS EN 1433:2002 for linear drainage.

A 15 - Pedestrian, cycleways & domestic drives
B 125 - Pedestrian precincts, light vehicles, private car parks & drives
C 250 - Parking areas, service stations (cars) & slow-moving light commercial vehicles
D 400 - Parking areas for all vehicle types
E 600 - Industrial areas, heavy wheel loads, slow-moving HGV's & forklifts, service stations
F 900 - Airport runways, very heavy industrial & military installations, service yards & lorry parks

Also, for more information please go to 'Load Class and Corrosion Resistance Chart' from the drop menu of About Us.

Q:  What size channel do I need?
A:  This depends on the amount on water you need to move. i.e. rainfall intensity, catchment area, storm duration and distance to outlet if external. For internal applications point input in Ltrs/sec, lateral inflow into channel in Ltres/sec and distance to outlet. If in doubt call ACO Building Drainage Technical department for assistance on 01462 816666 or email buildingdrainagebespoke@aco.co.uk

Q: What grade of stainless steel do I require?
A: Corrosion resistance charts are available on the home page in the drop menu of About Us. These give a guide to the correct grade of stainless steel. However combinations of chemicals, temperature and concentration and exposure times can all have an effect.
Seek assistance from ACO Building Drainage Technical department if unsure on 01462 816666.

Q: Could someone visit me to discuss my project?
A: If your questions cannot be answered from our office we can arrange for an area Sales Manager to visit. We also offer a design service for Engineers and Architects for specification where we can advise on channel and gully types, outlet details, hydraulics, materials, and specification drawings.

Q: Do I need a foul air trap in my channel?
A: If the water is going to foul drainage yes. This can be either in the channel or trapped elsewhere in the pipe run. Combined systems of foul and storm should also be trapped. Storm water drainage would not normally be trapped.

Q: How many outlets do I require?
A: The number of outlets required will depend on the application and the volumes of liquids to be drained and can involve many factors. Please call the ACO Building Drainage Technical department for help and assistance on 01462 816666.

Q: What falls do I need in the invert of a channel?
A: Falls in channel systems assist the hydraulic efficiency of a linear drainage system. A fall rate typically of 0.5% (1:200) is adequate for most applications, but can vary depending upon the application and any installation restrictions. For example, process applications with high volumes of suspended solids may require greater fall rates to minimize any settlement build-up.

Q: Can I use stainless steel grating with a galvanized channel?
A: Mixing of different metals for hygienic drainage applications is not recommended as galvanic corrosion will take place and will ultimately lead to pitting corrosion within the installation. One consideration is to use a composite grating as an alternative.

Q: How does my tanking system attach to my channel or gully body?
A: For many applications, the tanking or damp proof membrane system is positioned on the top of the concrete slab below the drainage system which is located in the screed. Where this is not the case, gullies used with polythene sheet membranes are mechanically clamped to the gully body. Liquid applied membranes are brush or roller applied to the bonding flange.
The appropriate gully body needs to be selected depending upon the membrane system used. For channel systems where a membrane is required to be attached to the channels themselves, we can offer a bespoke solution to provide a continuous membrane flange to attach the membrane whether polythene sheet or liquid membrane systems. For channel or gully systems where a vertical spigot outlet penetrates the membrane position, we have a number of solutions available to suit the application. Please contact ACO Building Drainage Technical department on 01462 816666 for assistance.

Q: My contractor has installed a Modular 125 channel in a concrete floor. Is it possible to retro-fit ACO Vinyl Seal® to the channel?
A: No. Not without removing the channel and cleaning all traces of concrete from the underside. Then fitting the ACO Vinyl Seal® & reinstalling the channel.
  
Q: Can I install your Modular 125 channel adjacent to my swimming pool?
A: No. You need a channel system manufactured from 316 Grade Stainless Steel, typically AS301.

Q: I am designing a Leisure Centre. Can I install your shower channel in the changing rooms?
A:  No. the shower channel is designed for domestic wetrooms only. You need either Modular 125 or a bespoke AS301 channel in 316 Stainless Steel (if the channel is exposed to swimming pool atmosphere.)

Q:  The feet on the bottom of your channel are too long/short/ not sturdy enough. What do I do when installing the channel?
A: The feet on the Modular 125 channel are for levelling purposes only. They are not structural. If they are too long then cut them down/ remove them. If they are too short pack them up with an engineering brick.

Q: Will my Eurocover still meet the load class if I install paviors or stone inside the cover?
A: No. The Eurocover gets its strength from the concrete infill. If you reduce the concrete infill you reduce the strength of the cover.