Innovative above-ground drainage pipes with proven fire-resistant capabilities

ontractors are constantly on the lookout for innovative stormwater drainage products to assist in achieving time and cost efficiencies. If you’re looking for above-ground drainage systems with the durability and strength of reinforced concrete pipe, then James Hardie’s SuperTite™ suspended drainage system is the answer. Manufactured in four-metre lengths, with a high-performance precision-machined coupling and a chemical-resistant, nitrile-sealing V-ring, SuperTite™ pipes provide a highly durable,robust drainage pipe for suspended stormwater applications.

The SuperTite™ pipe range features a wide variety of bends, junctions and saddles, creating a flexible system that can be adapted to suit even the most difficult drainage design. James Hardie™ is able to develop custom components to meet your unique project requirements.

The effectiveness of the SuperTite system has been shown in a number recent high-profile tunnel projects constructed in Brisbane: beginning with the CLEM7 tunnel, continuing through the AirportLink project (the largest road infrastructure project ever undertaken in Australia) and currently being used in the Legacy Way tunnel project. The unique properties of the SuperTite drainage system meant that James Hardie™ was able to work with the tunnel designers and builders prior to construction to identify potential installation issues and develop custom solutions to ensure installation time and cost efficiencies.

Projects of this nature place significant demand on the products used and exceptional product performance is required to ensure the creation of a long-lasting asset.. The four-hour fire rating of SuperTite™ pipes gives peace of mind in the event of an accident. As well, the SuperTite™ pipes installed in these tunnel projects (ranging from DN375 to DN525) can cope with high volumes of water discharged for the deluge system – making them unique when you consider that drainage systems in road tunnels do not typically carry stormwater but, instead, are designed to capture and convey water from the tunnel deluge systems in the event of fire or chemical spills.

SuperTite™ pipes also offer creative solutions when it comes to drainage on elevated roads and bridges. Historically, rainwater falling onto elevated roadways was discharged through scuppers into the waterway below. These days, most elevated roads and bridges have drainage systems designed and built to capture and convey road runoff from rain events to the main road drainage stormwater treatment system. Bridge and tunnel drainage products must now perform at a high level when it comes to durability, fire- and chemical-resistance, as well as ease of design and installation. The SuperTite™ range of pipes and fittings provide a cost-effective but highly durable solution to most elevated road or bridge drainage requirements.

Utilising a four-metre long pipe with a separate coupling, the SuperTite™ range of pipes and fittings is designed for simple connectivity. In-line reducers allow for changes in pipe diameter, and various saddle adaptors make for easy connection of inlet or scupper pipes made of a range of materials such as PVC, stainless steel or cast iron. For situations where short pipe lengths are required, James Hardie™ produces a special ‘cutter pipe’, which is designed to be cut to the required length on-site, quickly and efficiently.

SuperTite™ concrete pipe joints are machined on rotating lathes to produce highly accurate joints. Typical variations of less than 1mm are achieved, which translates to easy assembly in the field. This is critical for projects where pipe is suspended above ground, as the pipe installers may be working at heights or in difficult situations. Suspending SuperTite™ pipe is simple, with only two brackets required for each four-metre length of pipe. The high-strength fibre-reinforced concrete pipes are self-supporting, and can easily support the weight when running full of water.

Commercial construction projects have also made use of SuperTite™ pipes to capture and convey stormwater through basements, carparks and along buildings. The large size range of SuperTite pipes, from DN225 to DN750, allows for large flow capacity in a single pipe. Fire compartments can be created due to the four-hour fire resistance of the product, subject to correct installation.

SuperTite™ offers a suspended drainage system with the benefits of a reinforced concrete material, design flexibility, cost effectiveness and ease of use that is unrivalled in the stormwater drainage industry.