Posted by Callum Vallance-Poole, on September 19, 2024.
Topaz, Ireland’s largest fuel and convenience brand, recently launched a new service station at Citywest Business Campus on the outskirts of Dublin. The station includes petrol pumps, a convenience store, and a car wash. The construction required an efficient and durable SuDS (Sustainable urban Drainage System) that could protect against flooding and withstand heavy vehicle loads on the forecourt. Additionally, the system had to fit within the site’s limited space and depth constraints. When the initial proposal failed to meet these needs, the contractors turned to FM Environmental for an alternative solution.
FM Environmental collaborated with GRAF UK to design and install a 240-cubic metre EcoBloc Inspect Flex stormwater attenuation tank, capable of bearing loads up to 60 tonnes. The tank’s design allows for installation at depths as shallow as 1.32 metres, with a 600mm earth covering, making it ideal for the constrained space. An impermeable membrane surrounds the tank, which releases water back into the main storm system at a controlled rate. Additionally, a 10,000L Carat XXL underground rainwater harvesting tank was installed to supply water to the on-site car wash.
The EcoBloc Inspect Flex system was installed to provide effective flood prevention and handle the significant vehicle loads typical of a busy service station. Its built-in inspection channels facilitate easy maintenance, ensuring long-term optimal performance. The system is also designed to manage extreme storm events that occur once every 100 years, offering a robust long-term solution. The Carat XXL rainwater tank provides a sustainable and cost-effective water supply for the car wash.
The EcoBloc Inspect Flex system has successfully addressed the stormwater management needs of the Topaz service station, meeting both the vehicle load and SuDS requirements. The shallow installation depth made it a suitable fit for the site, while the Carat XXL tank ensures a consistent and eco-friendly water supply for the car wash.
Jim Sheridan, Sales Representative at FM Environmental, shared his satisfaction: “We’ve worked with GRAF UK on several projects before, so we know we can rely on their products to deliver on quality, flexibility, and performance. For this particular site, GRAF’s EcoBloc systems were the best and the only ones that could be installed at shallow depths and still cope with heavy traffic loads, all while providing a highly effective drainage solution. The GRAF UK team fitted the whole system in just two days, and we’re all really happy with the result.”