Industrial Trench Drain Systems | Storee Construction

Keep floors safer, cleaner, and compliant—without slowing production.

Industrial trench drain systems manage water and process liquids across long runs where point drains fall short. The right system balances flow capacity, chemical/thermal resistance, traffic loads (people, forklifts, trucks), cleanability, and installation windows. A GC-led plan ties the drain into concrete, coatings, utilities, and maintenance so you get performance on day one.

What is an industrial trench drain system?

And when is it better than a point drain?

A trench drain is a linear drainage system—a long, narrow channel set into the floor or grade that collects water and liquids and moves them to a sump, interceptor, or sanitary line. Point drains work for small areas; trench drains shine when you have long washdown zones, drive aisles, loading docks, or processes that shed water along a run (not at a single spot). In short: when the floor is wet over a distance—or when you need predictable flow away from equipment—go linear.

How trench drains improve safety and efficiency

Slip hazards, standing water, and chemical puddles slow work and increase risk. Properly sized trench drains:

• Keep walking/working surfaces drier, lowering slip potential and housekeeping time.
• Protect adjacent equipment and product, routing liquids away from electrical, controls, and sensitive zones.
• Speed changeovers and washdowns, especially in food, beverage, and pharma.
• Limit floor damage, reducing freeze/thaw or chemical attack in concrete.

Common industrial trench drain systems

And where each fits best

You’ll see several families on industrial sites. Think in terms of material, channel style, and grate/opening.

Pre-sloped polymer concrete channels

• Best for: High flow, long interior runs, consistent slopes.
• Why: Factory pre-slopes make hydraulics predictable; polymer concrete resists many chemicals and abrasion.

Stainless steel trench drains (304/316)

• Best for: Sanitary/washdown areas, food & beverage, corrosive cleaners.
• Why: Smooth surfaces, welded seams, and passivation support cleanability and corrosion resistance.

HDPE/thermoplastic channels

• Best for: Corrosives at moderate temperatures, cost-sensitive retrofits.
• Why: Lightweight, quick to handle; chemistry matters (verify compatibility and expansion).

FRP (fiberglass) channels

• Best for: Aggressive chemicals and where weight matters.
• Why: Strong corrosion resistance with proper resin system.

Cast-in-place concrete channels

• Best for: Heavy-duty, custom geometry, exterior docks.
• Why: Highest robustness when formed and finished correctly; requires skilled forming and finishing.

Slot drains (no removable grate—narrow slit)

• Best for: Clean looks, limited debris, or where grates are a trip or maintenance issue.
• Why: Minimal surface disturbance; great in long washdown aisles.
• Note: Cleaning access requires planned cleanouts.

Grates, openings, and load classes for traffic and maintenance

Your choice here determines both safety and longevity.

• Grate materials: Ductile iron (heavy traffic), stainless steel (sanitary/corrosion), galvanized or coated steel (general duty), FRP (corrosion + lighter weight).
• Open area & pattern: More open area = more flow, but consider heel-proof or ADA patterns in pedestrian zones.
• Load rating: Match to foot traffic, forklifts, pallet jacks, or truck wheels. Don’t under-spec for heavy loads or wheel point loads at turns.
• Maintenance access: Removable grates speed cleaning; slot drains need cleanouts and flushing ports.

Industrial Trench Drain System Design Basics

Flow, slope, and what ties in downstream

A good design balances hydraulics and hygiene.

• Slope: Aim for consistent fall to keep solids moving (pre-sloped channels help); verify outlet elevation and tie-in height.
• Hydraulics: Estimate peak flow (washdown, hose banks, process discharge, rainfall if exterior). Size for the worst realistic case.
• Downstream: Plan for sump pits, basket strainers, oil-water separators, or interceptors where required.
• Thermal & chemical exposure: Thermal shock from hot washdowns can crack concrete or warp plastics; choose materials and joint details accordingly.
• Floor system integration: Joint details with concrete, joint sealants, or surrounding floor coatings (epoxy/urethane/cementitious) matter to durability.

Installation and retrofit: what to expect

Whether you’re cutting into an existing slab or building new, coordination beats rework. Start by confirming layout and elevations—verify slab thickness, rebar patterns, embedded utilities, and the outlet elevation you’re tying into.

During excavation and formwork, demo the trench, prepare a stable base, and set channels dead-level across with a consistent slope along the run. Anchor correctly with rebar tie-ins and use proper concrete encasement so channels don’t float during the pour.

Finish details matter: keep grate seat heights consistent, deburr edges, and plan temporary toe-boards or guarding if trenches will be open before grates go in. Schedule weekend/night pours, account for cure times, and use barricades to keep aisles usable. A general contractor can phase these steps so the line keeps moving.

“Which industrial trench drain system is best for…?”

• Food & beverage washdown: Stainless steel trench drain with smooth, crevice-minimized design; removable stainless grates or slot drain with planned cleanouts.
• Chemical processing or caustics: FRP or polymer concrete with compatible grates; confirm chemical and temperature profiles.
• Forklift aisles & turning zones: Ductile iron grates on polymer concrete or cast-in-place channels; ensure load rating for forklifts/axle loads.
• Outdoor loading docks: Cast-in-place or polymer concrete with ductile iron grates; account for freeze/thaw and debris.
• Retrofit in thin slabs: HDPE or shallow stainless channels; check outlet heights and sawcut/patch strategy.
• Debris-heavy areas (chips, packaging): Wider grates with higher open area and basket strainers at sumps for easy cleanout.
• Cleanrooms or labs: Stainless or polymer concrete with tight tolerances; plan sealed joints and documented cleanability.

Industrial Trench Drain Systems FAQs

Do trench drains replace all point drains?
No. Point drains still make sense for isolated low spots. Use trench drains for long wet zones, aisles, and washdown lines where water travels in a direction.

How do I choose a grate for forklifts and pallet jacks?

Match the load rating to traffic and turning. Ductile iron or heavy stainless grates typically serve best in forklift aisles; verify wheel loads and safety factors.

Are slot drains harder to clean than grated trenches?

They can be if you don’t plan access. Add cleanouts, flushing ports, and baskets at sumps. Where debris is frequent, grated systems may be easier.

What’s the typical slope for trench drains?

Enough fall to keep solids moving without starving outlets—pre-sloped channels help. The exact slope depends on length, flow, and outlet elevations.

Can I retrofit a trench drain without shutting down production?

Often, yes—with night/weekend demo and pours, temporary barricades, and careful cure scheduling. A GC can phase work by bay or by run to keep aisles open.

Looking for trench drain system help?

A trench drain touches concrete, coatings, piping, housekeeping, and safety. Storee Construction aligns elevations, phasing, barricades, and tie-ins—so excavation, channel setting, pour, and startup move in sequence without derailing operations. That’s the difference between a spec that looks right on paper and a system your team loves to maintain.

If you’re updating a manufacturing facility, commercial plant, or other industrial complex, Storee Construction can help evaluate options, coordinate the right specialists, and deliver a phased install that protects uptime. Reach out to see what we can do for you today.