Water management solution for distribution centre

Context

The 450,000 sq ft distribution centre in Wednesbury in the West Midlands was developed as part of an ongoing drive to improve transport infrastructure in the UK.

The building was designed and constructed to meet the BREEAM benchmark of ‘excellent’ due to high energy and water efficiency, low impact on the environment, and its comfort and accessibility for the building’s occupants.

Requirement

A robust and durable drainage system which could withstand heavy vehicle traffic and manage high volumes of water to mitigate flooding risk.

Approach

The client asked MJMC Engineering to duplicate the spec of the Northfleet Distribution Centre where Marshalls products were installed. In that project, the Decathlon system was specified, but subsequently value engineered to Drexus XL.

The intention was to adopt the same approach for the Wednesbury project. The client agreed on condition that the contractors completed the value engineered redesign themselves, and got technical approval of the design from MJMC on behalf of the client.

Service and support

To get the specification value engineered and approved so site construction could begin on the Wednesbury site, PEP and the contractors used Marshalls’ free design service for a quick turnaround. The proposed solution was approved as it more than met the maintenance performance required and enabled a more cost effective install in terms of speed.

A grated system had been installed partway through the construction process but this was uplifted and replaced with Marshalls Drexus XL as the client wanted to use the same system throughout the scheme due to its ease of maintenance and high performance.

To avoid delay, the contractor wanted the extra Drexus XL units quickly. Marshalls was able to provide a next day delivery service of the required product, but the contractor insisted on collection from the manufacturing facility – this was swiftly co-ordinated.

Throughout the contract Marshalls had one representative dealing with all departments across Advance Construction making communication quicker and more effective.

Outcome

Drexus XL was used to create an efficient and robust water management system capable of withstanding the high volume of surface water and the heavy vehicle overrun on site. 

Marshalls' free design service and ongoing project support through a dedicated account manager ensured the project was completed quickly and efficiently.

About Drexus XL

Drexus XL has a unique slot orientation which increases its interception of run-off when compared with traditional longitudinal slots. In large installations this high capacity system is designed to drain significant catchment areas during extreme rainfall events.

Drexus XL also provides 38% more slot inlet area than an equivalent straight slot assuming the same width of slot. On the 440m of Drexus XL used on this project, this would equate to 615m of inlet slot; this extra 175m of slot provides both interception and ongoing maintenance benefits for the client.