New School Stormwater Management System Features Precast Concrete Drainage Components

Over 11,000 feet of Class III reinforced concrete pipe (RCP), along with multiple precast concrete stormwater drainage and sanitary structures were critical components for the stormwater management system at Phoenixville Area School District’s new 152,000-square-foot school and early learning center in Phoenixville, Pa.

Ensuring conformance with desired guidelines and practices was essential due to the sensitive nature of the work in this high-quality watershed, and there was little room for delays since the stormwater portion of the work was on the project’s critical path. The stormwater system, supplied by Oldcastle Precast, incorporates stormwater management facilities based on Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) Stormwater Best Management Practices, which accommodate both PADEP/Chester County Conservation District (CCCD) requirements as well as Schuylkill Township stormwater ordinance requirements.

To accommodate the stormwater management system required at both the new Manavon Elementary School and the Phoenixville Area Early Learning Center, precast components were used to form the stormwater management systems.

Using multiple manufacturing facilities in the Mid-Atlantic area, Oldcastle Precast manufactured and shipped 8,992 feet of precast concrete RCP pipe (ranging from 14-inch to 66-inch diameter) produced at its Croydon, Pa., and Folsom, N.J., facilities, while the Telford and Easton, Pa., facilities manufactured the pipe junction boxes, pipe headwalls, numerous catch basin inlets and manholes.

The precast components, in addition to an on-site stormwater infiltration system and new stormwater basins, constitute the stormwater management system for the new elementary school and the early learning center.

The system included precast components as well as an on-site stormwater infiltration system and new stormwater basins.

Since a functioning stormwater infrastructure is critical to support the movement of goods, people, and services on state highways and roads, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PADOT) additionally required highway improvements at West Pothouse Road and Meadow Brook Lane previous to the new school opening in 2017.

As part of the roadway improvements, PADOT required contributory stormwater management systems to accommodate increased roadway stormwater runoff from the new facility. This portion of the project required the production of an additional 2,322 feet of RCP pipe, 14-inch to 23-inch elliptical pipe and 18-inch- to 48-inch-diameter round pipe, catch basin inlets with bike safe grates, headwalls and manholes.

“From both the manufacturing and shipping perspectives, the most challenging part of the project was the aggressive schedule. Other than a few bumps in the beginning, the project went according to plan and was delivered on time,” said Ed Pentecost, sales representative from Oldcastle Precast. “All our personnel on the job, from the operations managers to the delivery crew, performed flawlessly, making the project a great success.”

PADOT required contributory stormwater management systems to accommodate increased roadway stormwater runoff from the new facility.

The new complex has a two-­story school building comprising classroom spaces, a dining area, a gymnasium, and a media center. Site improvements included athletic fields, asphalt roadways and pathways, concrete curbing and walks, and necessary landscaping.

The new school facility is designed to support two grade structures in a “school within a school” format. Kindergarten through first grade takes place in an early learning center, and second grade through fifth grade are housed in an elementary school, which joins an existing campus that encompasses the middle and high schools. The educational village concept promotes connectivity within this existing educational community and allows for shared resources such as roadways/bus loops, walkways, parking and playing fields. WW

About the Author: Barbara Bogo is part of the national marketing team at Oldcastle Precast, a leading provider of engineered product solutions to a number of market sectors nationwide including building, water, communications, energy, and transportation.