CM Planning and Quoting: Finding the best solution for you

CM representatives undertake free, no obligation site visits throughout the UK in order to ensure we are offering the best drainage solution and/or drainage product for your project. In these strange times, we are able to offer covid safe site consultations; our customer and staff safety is our highest priority. On our visits, wherever possible, we will always try to offer several options to suit the customer's requirements, but sadly there is often only one option that will meet the regulations and permits needed.

Whilst there, our representatives will be factoring in their detailed knowledge of several aspects of drainage, including their working knowledge of Section H Building Regulations, Environment Agency requirements and British Water regulations.

Firstly, we will need to know how much the unit will be used - this is based on how many bedrooms for a dwelling (not on the current occupancy because of the possibility of resale) and how many workers/visitors are expected on a commercial site.

Our representative will be lifting lids to manholes to establish pipe runs thinking about pipe depths/diameters/levels/distances, and whether these are storm or foul water runs. We all prefer to have an up-to-date drainage drawing, but at CM we understand that this can be costly, and where possible, we will assess this for ourselves and advise accordingly.

We will also be looking at access to the site; the machinery required for most installs are large, and we need to know we can get this machinery to where we need it. Trees and over head cables are taken into account here too. We are also aware that a tanker will need to reach the system for maintenance in the future, and although they often have extended hosing, this can be an avoidable cost.

Discharging the foul waste to the safest, and most efficient location is also a huge factor. This could be connecting to the mains drainage, and we will advise which water board to contact for the permissions, or ditch, watercourse or soakaway/drainage field. On more complex sites, like SSSI sites (Site of Specific Scientist Interest), we can do our best to provide tertiary treatment options, to offer the cleanest possible discharge, such as reed bed, that the Environment Agency will approve of.

Locating the treatment plant or pumping station in the most logical and efficient place, whilst adhering to regulations, is important. We need to know if it is going in a drive way in terms of the necessary concrete surround and heavy-duty lids. And if ground conditions are going to be a possible hindrance when we start digging, for example if there's a high water table then it's always best to be prepared.

A water supply is needed on site for the majority of our installs so we are checking this is available. And many of our products require an electricity supply, so we will be assessing the best place to bring this from, and whether it will be sufficient for the requirements of the product.

Finally, and often most importantly for the customer in terms of above ground appearance, we will be trying to ensure the most aesthetically pleasing solution in terms of kiosks, compressor housings, manhole covers and inspection chambers. We recognise that people want a working drainage solution, but understandably don't really want it to ruin their garden idyll - or cope with any nasty smells in the future!!!

Hopefully, this blog has shown how much knowledge our representatives and install team have to be aware of. And why we always offer a site visit to all of our customers - our many years of experience may mean we may spot a problem that hadn't even been thought of!

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