UK-based Elkington Gatic intends to revolutionise drainage systems in the Gulf with the launch of its patented surface channel drainage system at this year’s Big 5 show.

The company will also use the show to scout for potential agents/distributors to help it promote Gatic (gas and airtight inspection cover) products in the Gulf markets.
Gatic Slotdrain is described by the company as a ‘fresh and innovative approach to external surface drainage, which represents the next stage in channel drainage evolution’.
“Since its UK launch two years ago, the system has taken the market by storm, as consultants, contractors and their clients have widely appreciated the benefits that Gatic Slotdrain brings,” a company spokesman claims.
Gatic Slotdrain has been installed on projects across Europe as well as in Bahrain.
With a unique design, the Slotdrain is said to overcome many of the problems associated with precast polymer concrete channels, which are commonly used in the region, says the spokesman.
Described by Elkington Gatic as the ‘Rolls-Royce of channel drainage systems’, the stainless steel Gatic Slotdrain is corrosion and impact resistant.
“Channel sections will not break during shipment or installation and remain intact for the life of the project,” says the spokesman. “This durability is particularly important for the Gulf region, where the local environment can be aggressive to conventional building materials.”
The system is also available in galvanised steel, for use in regions where the environment is less harsh.
“The system is quick and simple to install and has been designed to achieve an extremely neat and high-quality finish,” the spokesman adds. “Surface water drains into the channel through a single horizontal slot. This provides an extremely aesthetic and contemporary detail, which complements the innovative style of building design in the Gulf. A single slot is also safe and easy to maintain, overcoming the problems associated with open channels, which often have loosely-fitted gratings that may become lost or detached.”
The Slotdrain is supplied as one-piece units in three-metre lengths and the channels are joined using tight connection collars. It is available in six sizes, ranging from 100 mm to 600 mm wide. This allows contractors to install a single high-capacity channel to provide drainage to a large area, so reducing the amount of underground pipework and saving time and cost in the process. Units are much lighter than precast polymer channels of an equivalent size and are therefore much easier to handle, he claims.
“The Slotdrain is a ‘stockists dream’ as there are only a few accessories required for the system,” says the spokesman. Specially-designed access units allow for the system to be easily maintained. A moulded polyethylene sump box collects the solids and connects to underground pipework. The hexagonal shape of Gatic Slotdrain is the most efficient to achieve self-cleaning discharge from the channel, he adds.
“Slotdrain is perfectly suited for use on more prestigious projects, where aesthetic appearance and a quality finish are required, the spokesman continues. “Typical applications may include palaces and high-class villa developments, municipality buildings, pedestrian areas, market places and projects of historical importance.
Elkington Gatic views service and product quality as paramount. The company’s systems are independently assessed and approved to BS EN ISO 9000:2000. In addition, the company fully recognises the need to comply with all environmental legislation and has recently achieved registration to the environmental manufacturing standard BE EN 14001.
Elkington Gatic is best known for its Gatic 2000 range of access covers and heavy-duty drainage gratings.
Gatic 2000 access covers, which have already been used in the Gulf, are manufactured to suit very specific tolerances. The horizontal and vertical seating faces of each unit are carefully machined to ensure that covers do not rock under traffic, when assembled to the specified layout required. A close fit of cover within frame also inhibits the ingress of road dirt, sand and water.
Gatic 2000 drainage gratings can be used as individual units within a single catch-pit, or installed in a continuous run within an in-situ channel cast from concrete, which is a common method of construction within the Gulf, the spokesman points out.
The Gatic range caters for all loading categories, from light-duty pedestrian applications to the ultra heavy-duty dynamic load requirements of industrial projects, highways, ports and airports. Where there is a need to cover large access openings, such as valve chambers or pumping stations’ multi-span units can be provided, incorporating removable support beams, specifically designed to suit the wheel loadings required. This ‘modular’ configuration offers design engineers total flexibility, as Gatic 2000 access covers will suit virtually any size of pit opening, he says.
In order to withstand the aggressive environment in the Gulf, access covers and gratings can be supplied with epoxy coatings that meet local specifications.
Installed on thousands of safety-critical projects all around the world, the Gatic 2000 range of access covers have been used at Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain airports, Khor Fakkan and Jebel Ali ports and numerous sewerage contracts for Dubai Municipality.
Elkington Gatic has a long established and international reputation for the design and manufacture of engineered access covers and surface water drainage products. Established over 75 years, the Gatic brand is recognised worldwide for products of the highest quality, performance and durability, the spokesman says.
The company has been represented in the UAE by Mac Al Gurg over a number of years. A comprehensive design and technical support service is available through Mac Al Gurg or by contacting Elkington Gatic direct.
Products from Elkington Gatic will be on show in the British Pavilion at the Big 5 show.