Conduit in Stormwater Pipe

[msteiner]

Had a request today to run new conduit and wire through an existing stormwater pipe to cross a road. My initial reaction was "no way," but the code section that would prohibit this isn't jumping out at me. Thoughts?

 

[petersonra]

off hand, I can't think of any. how is this any different than running it in a sleeve under the road?

just who owns the storm water pipe? that might matter.

is the conduit subject to damage in the storm water pipe?

will it reduce the amount of water that can run off to an unacceptable level?

might be other codes involved.

I am not sure we have enough information to come to a good conclusion.

 

[steve66]

Had a request today to run new conduit and wire through an existing stormwater pipe to cross a road. My initial reaction was "no way," but the code section that would prohibit this isn't jumping out at me. Thoughts?

That would be my gut reaction too.

How would you get into and out of the stormwater pipe? Fittings or pull boxes need access points, and you probably don't want to put holes in a stormwater pipe.

Honestly, is it that hard to bore under the road?

 

[kwired]

That would be my gut reaction too.

How would you get into and out of the stormwater pipe? Fittings or pull boxes need access points, and you probably don't want to put holes in a stormwater pipe.

Honestly, is it that hard to bore under the road?

Storm water conduit could be just a couple inches in diameter to 6 or 8 feet in diameter, or even larger.

I think it sort of comes down to whether your installed raceway is going to have any impact on the function of the storm water conduit.

Went for a walk last weekend on a walking trail that follows alongside a river, runs under a roadway bridge over that river - sort of similar concept as this river is mostly run off water. There were several conduits hanging from the under side of the structure, but they probably have little impact on the function of the river flowing below, and if the water should rise to those raceways, I think there is going to be much greater concerns then the effects of those raceways:happyyes:

 

[Ragin Cajun]

It's not just water that flows but logs, branches, etc. that can damage the conduit.

I say no.

RC

 

[steve66]

Storm water conduit could be just a couple inches in diameter to 6 or 8 feet in diameter, or even larger.

I think it sort of comes down to whether your installed raceway is going to have any impact on the function of the storm water conduit.

Went for a walk last weekend on a walking trail that follows alongside a river, runs under a roadway bridge over that river - sort of similar concept as this river is mostly run off water. There were several conduits hanging from the under side of the structure, but they probably have little impact on the function of the river flowing below, and if the water should rise to those raceways, I think there is going to be much greater concerns then the effects of those raceways:happyyes:

So you think it might just be open on both ends? If that is the case, I think a culvert might be a more appropriate term than a storm water pipe.

But the whole question does make more sense if its open on both ends.

 

[kwired]

So you think it might just be open on both ends? If that is the case, I think a culvert might be a more appropriate term than a storm water pipe.

But the whole question does make more sense if its open on both ends.

What good does it do if it is not open on both ends?
Maybe a screen to keep debris out, but otherwise it needs to be open or it won't drain anything.

 

[GoldDigger]

What good does it do if it is not open on both ends?
Maybe a screen to keep debris out, but otherwise it needs to be open or it won't drain anything.

It is clearly not what the OP is referring to, but you could have a perforated pipe drain that just runs out of a hillside to prevent subsurface water from washing away the face of the hillside or weakening the soil supporting the area above. That would definitely be called a drain and not a culvert, but I don't see any reason to put a raceway inside one.

 

[steve66]

What good does it do if it is not open on both ends?
Maybe a screen to keep debris out, but otherwise it needs to be open or it won't drain anything.

Yes, it is probably open on both ends unless its connected to a pump or something. But the ends could also be 20 miles away from this particular road crossing.

Again, I think a "pipe" is a better term for what I'm visualizing, and a "culvert" would be a better term for what you are visualizing. The OP used the term "pipe", although I have no idea which one he is actually talking about.