Tiered Flood Grates

Yes, SVC's Tiered Flood Grates are widely accepted by local councils as a simple, effective solution for flood-prone locations.

Many previous applications of SVC's Tiered Flood Grates have been to improve municipal drainage infrastructure, especially within the Yarra Ranges Shire.

They are installed in low-lying areas that are known to be flood-prone or experience frequent water pooling during heavy rain events. Examples include steeply sloped roads, the areas at the base of a hill or sloped area, and other areas with a high ratio of hard surfaces to soft, absorbent surfaces which generates significant stormwater runoff.

Tiered Flood Grates are designed for application in low-lying areas that are prone to flooding or water pooling around the stormwater inlet. With its tiered design, the Tiered Flood Grate enables a higher capacity of stormwater to be captured, compared to a single flat grate.

The lower grate is installed at road level (in the kerb channel) and captures normal flows of stormwater. During a heavy rain event, as water levels rise above the kerb, the upper grate and vertical grate sections provide additional openings for stormwater to enter the inlet.

In general, the standard forgebar or weaved pattern in SVC's stormwater grating range is rated as bike-safe, meaning bicycle or wheelchair wheels can safely travel over the grate surface without getting caught or stuck. The grate apertures (openings) of bike-safe grating designs are typically too large to safely accommodate high-heeled shoes such as those with a stiletto heel.

In certain applications, pedestrian areas may specify "heel-safe" or "heelproof" grates, which have smaller openings to prevent high heels from getting caught. Out of SVC's stormwater grate offerings, only our Pedestrian-Safe Grates are classed as "heel-safe" and are suitable for high-heeled shoes.