Swiss sanitary and plumbing solutions specialist Geberit says its siphonic roof drainage system can handle the onslaught of a heavy downpour, while providing freedom in designing systems and addressing the challenge of tight spaces.

“Geberit Pluvia drains roofs efficiently and reliably even under the heaviest rainfall,” says Daniel Engelhard, managing director of Geberit International Sales AG. “It is also space-efficient because significantly less product material and space is required for siphonic roof drainage than for conventional systems. This allows greater design freedom in planning, and higher cost-effectiveness during installation and operation which are all good reasons to choose Geberit.”

“Through tried-and-tested technology, innovative details and a holistic service, Geberit Pluvia has been setting new standards for many years,” he adds.

Geberit Pluvia roof outlet ... suitable for almost all installation situations.

Elaborating on the various advantages the system offers, Engelhard says: “While conventional systems simply allow rain to run off through sloping pipes, the compact Geberit Pluvia pipe system fills up quickly and extracts the rainwater from the roof using the resultant negative pressure.

“Also, since there is no need for pipelines to be laid with a slope, there is greater design freedom in terms of planning.

“The Geberit Pluvia roof outlets prevent air from being sucked in and guarantee reliable performance, resulting in double the amount of rainwater discharge at half the pipe diameter. Thanks to the high discharge rate of the siphonic system, fewer roof outlets are required. This results in savings in product material and the amount of work needed, while also preserving the roof.

“In addition, because the pipes are filled completely, fewer drains are required. This also enhances flexibility in planning. Fewer discharge stacks and fewer connections mean lower installation and material costs,” he adds.

As Geberit Pluvia pipelines are designed for complete filling, the pipe diameter is reduced to the bare necessity. The high flow velocity of more than 0.5 m/s when the pipeline is filled produces suction which contributes to the self-cleaning of the system. This ultimately means less time spent on maintenance. Because Geberit Pluvia pipelines are laid horizontally, the drainage system helps maximise on space.

This apart, perfectly matched components ensure that the overall system functions flawlessly, while sophisticated details and a consistently high level of material quality guarantee durability, safety and smooth operation, Engelhard says.

Pluvia ... the pipes are filled completely.

Thanks to the modular construction and the many models of the Geberit Pluvia roof outlet, the system is described as being suitable for almost all installation situations on large buildings and roofs.

“The required accessories for virtually all applications are available, and can make the system highly flexible. Whenever complex roof structures or difficult geometries pose a particular challenge, the Geberit team would be happy to work with the client to find a solution,” he adds.

For over 40 years, Geberit has supported sanitary engineers, plumbers and building owners around the world in the use of Geberit Pluvia. Thanks to the in-house product development and research in the field of hydraulics, customers have access to Geberit’s comprehensive market and technology expertise.

“Reliability and trustworthiness are key factors when it comes to supporting complex projects with optimal support services. The Geberit team is on site to provide help wherever it is needed,” Engelhard continues.

During the planning phase, the company’s team provides consultancy services for conception of the Pluvia system, support in planning the number of roof outlets according to the rainfall intensity; complete planning on the basis of construction plans; helps in the creation of isometrics with Geberit ProPlanner; material planning; and provides BIM (building information modelling) content for Autodesk Revit.

In the quotation phase, Geberit provides assistance in preparing a quotation; creating a material list with Geberit ProPlanner; and offers a complete system (outlets, fastening, pipes and tools).

During execution, the company provides construction site training for plumbers and roofers; conducts on-site inspections through Geberit consultants; support for change planning (including recalculations); final project acceptance; and maintenance training.