ACO Technologies has launched a reusable range of inlet plugs for its KerbDrain range, designed to boost civil and highways contractors working on road construction projects.
The plugs are described as an ‘industry first’ for combined kerb and drainage type products and prevent asphalt from entering KerbDrain units when roads are being paved. This means contractors don’t need to undertake a heavy jetting process to clear out dried and hardened asphalt or other debris that gets blown into the units during installation.
Made of recyclable TPE, ACO explained that the inlet plugs reduce carbon emissions, water usage, and costs. In a recent trial at an Oxfordshire park-and-ride site where around 1,700m of KerbDrain was installed, use of the plugs meant no jetting or channel cleaning was needed. This is said to have provided a cost saving of almost £5,000 and also led to a reduction in CO2 and water which would otherwise have been consumed throughout the jetting process.
Rob Bignall, product manager – civils at ACO Technologies, said, “Clearing out debris and asphalt that falls into combined kerb and drainage solutions has long been a challenge that the industry has dealt with. The method of jetting out channels is labour, carbon, time and water intensive.
“That’s why we’ve spent the last three years to research and develop our new KerbDrain Inlet Plugs. By plugging up the inlets, civil engineers and highways contractors will be able to save thousands of pounds in post-installation maintenance, and our innovative plugs can be used time and time again for new projects and for existing highways.”
ACO’s KerbDrain inlet plugs are also designed to help achieve a better finish with the road surfacing. They are designed in blue and red, for splayed and half battered profiles respectively, and are also a visual aid when rolling and compacting along the kerb line. They are removed once surfacing is completed and help to provide a neater finish against the kerb.
