Siphonic reduces risk around critical services
Siphonic solution replaced gravity drainage in this pharmaceutical facility reducing risk around critical services and minimising below-ground drainage requirements.
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ProjectDexcom Pharmaceutical Facility
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LocationAthenry, Ireland
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Design TeamRKD Architects
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ContractorJohn Paul Construction
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ScopePrimary siphonic system with secondary gravity
Project Overview
Capcon Engineering are engaged to design and install a siphonic drainage solution for Dexcom’s state of the art pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Galway, Ireland.
Challenges
The client imposed strict limitations on service placement around areas of critical infrastructure where no rainwater pipes could be routed. The primary challenge was to strategically design a drainage system that avoided these areas while maintaining maximum drainage efficiency.
Solutions
Initially, the project was designed as a gravity system, however, after working closely with the architect and assessing the scale of the facility, it was decided that siphonic drainage would be a more effective solution. Capcon collaborated with RKD Architects during the early design stages to develop a comprehensive siphonic system that would avoid critical infrastructure areas and minimise below-ground drainage and reduce the complexity and costs of installation.
Key Design Considerations:
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Client-Specific RequirementsThe system was designed to avoid critical infrastructure areas, meeting the client’s need for a risk-reduced, unobstructed layout.
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Strategic Pipework DesignSiphonic drainage enabled the efficient collection of rainwater from the roof areas of the facility, strategically routed around critical areas to a small number of strategic drop locations, minimising below-ground drainage requirements.
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Primary and Secondary Systems:The facility is equipped with a primary siphonic and secondary gravity systems, ensuring greater protection against extreme weather events.
Outcome
For this pharmaceutical facility a siphonic drainage system provided an highly efficient internal drainage solution that could be strategically routed to avoid critical infrastructure while also minimising the need for extensive below-ground drainage and reducing installation costs.
By collaborating with architects early in the process, Capcon was able to provide an optimal alternative to the original gravity drainage option, that not only met the client’s operational requirements but also reduced installation time and cost and improved resilience to extreme weather conditions.
