Precast Catch Basin

Catch basins are concrete grated entryways to storm drainage systems. You’ll find them in parking lots,
on street curbs or in maintenance yards – just about any location where rainwater travels from a hard
surface into the system. Unlike manholes or grated inlets, catch basins include a sump, or hollow, at the
bottom.

The basin grate filters large pieces of debris, while its sump collects sediment, oils, grease and smaller
material like leaves and litter found in stormwater runoff. Debris is cleared by hand or a Vactor catch
basin cleaning truck. The precast catch basin helps prevent downstream sewer pipes from clogging and
reduces the amount of solid material discharged into lakes, streams, and rivers.

Type 1 Catch Basin

A Type 1 precast catch basin is typically rectangular or circular with a maximum knockout size of 20
inches. With a recommended 1 ½ inch gap between the basin wall and the drainage pipe, the maximum
drainage pipe to use is 17 inches. Since pipes with skew angles will have larger diameters, take this into
account when estimating the knockout size required.

Usually, contracts allow several options of pipe material and pipe alternatives. Be sure to check that the
Type 1 catch basin can accommodate all approved alternates.

The maximum depth for Type 1 catch basins is 5 feet, as measured from the lowest pipe invert to the
finished road.

Catch basins must be watertight according to Washington state requirements. To comply, you may need
to grout the catch basin sides or apply mortar to the joint between the catch basin wall and drainage
pipe.

Type 2 Catch Basin

Type 2 catch basins are designed for larger pipes and deeper inverts. These catch basins are available in
several diameters including 48-inch, 54-inch, 60-inch, 72-inch, 84-inch, 96-inch, 120-inch, and 144-inch.

To facilitate the installation of drainage piping into the Type 2 basin, a gap of 2 to 2 ½ inches between
the knockout wall and the outside of the pipe is recommended. After the pipe is installed, concrete
grout or joint mortar is used to fill the gap.

Maximum depth for Type 2 catch basins is based on the reach of Vactor trucks, typically 15 feet, as
measured from the road surface to the catch basin bottom.

When dealing with a Type 2 catch basin, OSHA safety requirements call for a 28-inch maximum
adjustment section from the roadway to the first step of the catch basin barrel. If the full 28-inch depth
isn’t necessary, the catch basin can be placed deeper than 12 feet, but not more than 15 feet.

A Type 2 catch basin has two foundational structures:

 A precast base section with riser walls between 2 and 5 feet high. Smaller base sections may not
contain the knockouts. Additional risers are used to reach full height.
 A precast base slab fit with an o-ring gasket providing a watertight seal. Typically, a 2 riser is
added for a sump, followed by a 4-to-5-foot riser with the knockouts. Additional risers may be
used to attain more height.
Catch Basin

Catch basins are undergound concrete structures typically provided with a slotted grate to collect
stormwater runoff and route it through underground pipes. Catch basins can also be used as a junction
in a pipe system and may have a solid lid.

There are two types of catch basin:

Type 1

A Type 1 catch basin is a rectangular box with approximate dimensions of 3'x2'x5'. Type 1 catch basins
are utilized when the connected conveyance pipes are less than 18 inches in diameter and the depth
from the gate to the bottom of the pipe is less than 5 feet.

Type 2

Type 2 catch basins, also known as Storm Manholes, are round concrete structures ranging in diameter
of 4 feet to 8 feet. Type 2 catch basins are used when the connecting conveyance pipe is 18 inches or
greater or the depth from grate to pipe bottom exceeds 5 feet. Type 2 catch basins typically have
manhole steps mounted on the side of the structure to allow for access.

Both catch basin types typically provide a storage volume (sump) below the outlet pipe to allow
sediments and debris to settle out of the storm water runoff. Some catch basins are also provided with a
spill control device (inverted elbow on outlet pipe) intended to contain large quantities of grease or oils.
Maintenance

 The most common cleaning method for catch basins is to utilized a truck with a tank and
vacuum hose (vactor truck) to remove sediment and debris from the sump. Catch basins may be
an enclosed space where harmful chemicals and vapors can accumulate. Therefore, if the
inspection and maintenance requires entering a catch basin, it should be conducted by an
individual with training and certification in working hazardous in confined spaces.

 Remove trash and collected sediment when 60% of the sump depth has been filled or sediments
are within 6 inches of the bottom of the outlet pipe.

 All of the solids and stagnant water collected from catch basin sumps must be disposed of
properly. The sump contents shall not be flushed into the catch basin outflow pipe.