The Premarc Corporation - Success Stories - Stormwater Detention Facility

Concrete Pipe Used for Largest Stormwater Detention Facility

Wayne County - In areas prone to heavy rainfalls or flash flooding, an underground detention system allows for the collection and storage of stormwater than can later be discharged into the municipal system at a controlled rate. In arid regions, stormwater can be stored in underground detention systems for use during times of little or no precipitation. The benefits of underground storage facilities are as numerous as the configurations and materials used to build them. In 2007, two large reinforced concrete pipe stormwater detention systems were installed under a parking lot used by students and faculty at Star International Academy in the City of Dearborn Heights. The installations were part of an extensive renovation project, including storm sewers and the stormwater detention facilities. Together, the detention systems comprise the largest reinforced concrete pipe stormwater detention facility in Michigan.

Star International Academy is an independent school, which admits students from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds to its college-preparatory program serving families in the Greater Detroit area. It provides an educational environment that enables the various ethnic traditions, values and experiences of it's students to enrich and nurture one another.

The first detention system was designed to hold approximately 57,500 cubic feet of stormwater run-off while the second was designed to hold approximately 27,500 cubic feet. JAD Engineering Services, Inc., in West Bloomfield MI, was assigned the design of the school upgrades, including the detention systems. Established in 2000, the company provides civil engineering services for residential, commercial and institutional projects throughout the Detroit area. The design engineers were Jawad Defoni, president and Salem Y. Jiedou, P.E.

The preliminary concept developed by JAD consisted of a 72-inch diameter reinforced concrete pipe. The Premarc Corporation was required to submit designs for JAD to review and approve. When all site parameters, storage capacity, hydraulic and structural requirements were considered for the facility, a two-system facility with monolithic fittings was developed by Premarc's engineers, who have combined experience totaling over 65 years.

DiPonio Contracting was contracted by the school to construct the infrastructure. When the company started in the late 1980s by Michael DiPonio, it focused primarily on site grading. Following his father's death in 1995, Frank Diponio took over the company and quickly expanded the business from site work to sewer work and site utilities.

Since the project was located in the City of Dearborn Heights, in Wayne County, it fell under the Stormwater Ordinance of Wayne County. Under the ordinance guidelines, all stormwater detention systems, which empty into a county drain, are required to have plans and pipe materials reviewed and inspected by Wayne County. According to Paul Gluszak, P.E.P.E. vision Testing Engineer, Wayne County has its own quality control based system of acceptance, because county engineers have seen pipe materials fail long before they reach their projected service life, even when material certifications were supplied. Gluszak says, "Our testing and material inspection ensures contractors pulling permits get a better product without creating a liability for the tax payers."

Limited space for construction of the detention systems was a significant consideration as it affected the movement of equipment on site and delivery of construction materials including the precast concrete pipe. The dimensions for the larger stormwater detention system was 340 feet x 54 feet and the dimensions for the smaller system was 163 feet x 54 feet. Only two days worth of construction materials could be stored on site at any time. MDOT Class II sand was used as backfill and all insitu soils had to be excavated and hauled from the site. Dimensions from the top of the roadbed to the top of pipe varied from 18-inches to 36-inches.

Each of the two detention systems consisted of six rows of 72-inch diameter ASTM C-76, Class IV pipe. The larger detention system had six rows of 72-inch diameter pipe with each row being approximately 340 feet in length. The smaller detention system had six rows of 72-inch diameter pipe with each row being approximately 163 feet in length. At each end of each detention system, 72-inch diameter x 48-inch diameter precast horizontal tee fittings and short sections of 48-inch diameter pipe were used to connect each row of 72-inch diameter pipe. In each corner of each detention system, 72-inch diameter x 48-inch diameter precast manhole tee fittings were installed to provide for access, inspection and maintenance. The ends of each row of 72-inch diameter pipe in each of the two detention systems were plugged using precast bulkheads creating two entirely precast detention systems.

Because the project was a school site, an accelerated construction schedule was required since construction had to begin and end while the school was operating at a reduced capacity during the summer. The project was bid in February. Construction had to be underway by June with completion by September 1.

Premarc's participation in the engineering of the facility, assurance of high quality products, competitive prices, and the ability to provide on-time deliveries prompted DiPonio Contracting to choose Premarc to supply the reinforced concrete pipe and fittings.

Project:	Stormwater Detention Facility Dearborn Heights City Of Dearborn, Wayne County, Michigan

Owner:	Star International Academy City of Dearborn, Wayne County, Michigan

Consulting Engineer:	JAD Engineering Services, Inc. West Bloomfield, Michigan Jawad Defoni, President Salem Y. Jiedou, P.E.

Construction Manager:	E. Gilbert & Sons, Inc. Utica, Macomb County, Michigan Mr. Michael Beaugrand

Contractor:	DiPonio Contracting, Inc. Shelby Township, Macomb County, Michigan Frank DiPonio

Quantities:	1,488 feet of 12-inch diameter C-76 Class IV RCP 600 feet of 15-inch diameter C-76 Class IV RCP 284 feet of 21-inch diameter C-76 Class IV RCP 208 feet of 24-inch diameter C-76 Class IV RCP 112 feet of 30-inch diameter C-76 Class IV RCP 2,976 feet of 72-inch diameter C-76 Class IV RCP 48 sections of 72-inch diameter fittings at 8-feet lay lengths

Producer:	Premarc Corporation Durand, Michigan

Home | About Us | Products | Contacts / Locations | News & Events

Success Stories | Contractor's Toolbox | Customer Services