7 OctInlet Protection Product Guide
Stormwater solutions for construction sites
Inlet protection devices trap and filter sediment laden runoff in order to prevent pollutants from contaminating the stormwater system. They also prevent silt and sediment from clogging stormwater drainage systems.
You will find inlet protection products on almost every construction site: residential developments, heavy civil highway projects, commercial developments and utility projects.
They are installed in curb inlets, drop inlets, culverts, catch basins and other entries to the stormwater system. In this guide, we’re going to highlight and compare only our curb inlet and drop inlet protection devices.
Which inlet protection device suits your needs?
The type of inlet protection product you need depends on several conditions.
These factors include:
- Type of construction project
- Phase of construction
- State, DOT or inspector requirements
- Type of inlet
- Material preference
- Budget
There are hundreds of inlet protection devices in the stormwater marketplace. Options range from single product solutions to silt fence boxes and wire fence.
Product selection ultimately comes down to what the contractor, inspector and regulatory agency agree upon. What works for one project may not work or be in the budget for the next.
That’s why we’re providing a guide for picking the best inlet protection device for your construction project.
The following guide includes:
- Product descriptions
- Distinguishing characteristics
- Suggested applications
- Sizes
- Pro Tips
- Cost reference*
*$-$$$ reflects the general range of pricing when comparing similar sized products in product categories; curb inlet devices are compared with curb inlet devices.
Curb Inlet Protection Devices
Curb inlets are located in the curb and gutter of streets. These inlets connect street drainage to the stormwater system. The gutter opening is horizontal and can be grated or open. Curb inlets sometimes have an additional grate in front of the gutter opening.
Our curb drain protection products include the Dandy Curb, the Dandy Curb Sack, the Excelsior Log, Compost Filter Sock and the Travel Lane Wattle.
The Dandy Curb
Description: The Dandy Curb is a porous cylindrical tube that sits in front of the curb gutter opening. This curb inlet device filters sediment laden runoff and traps silt, gravel and roadway debris. The Dandy Curb is weighted in place with a rock pouch that should be filled on site.
Distinguishing characteristic: Highly visible orange tubular unit
Suggested application: Finished curbs on road projects
Sizes: 6′ – 20′
Pro Tip: Make sure you get the right size Dandy Curb. Measure the opening of your gutter then add two feet.
Cost Range: $$
The Dandy Curb Sack
Description: This unique two-part system protects curb inlets with grates. The tube sits in front of the inlet opening while the sack hangs below the grate. Similar to the other Dandy products, the Dandy Curb is made of orange monofilament fabric.
Distinguishing characteristic: A combination of the Dandy Curb and the Dandy Sack
Suggested application: Curb inlets with grates (the only application for this inlet-specific product)
Sizes: Dandy Curb Sacks can be custom ordered to meet most grate openings up to 48” x 48”
Cost Range: $$
The Excelsior Log
Description: The Excelsior Log, also known as the Curlex Sediment Log, is a multi-purpose erosion control product. This wattle is filled with aspen wood fibers and wrapped in a cotton net. When used for inlet protection, the Excelsior Log sits in front of the gutter opening and filters runoff before it enters the stormwater system.
Distinguishing characteristic: Light weight and user friendly for quick and easy installs
Suggested application: Projects that need budget friendly solutions
Sizes:
- 12″ x 10′
- 20″ x 10′
Cost Range: $
Compost Filter Sock
Description: Compost Filter Sock is a versatile wattle that is used for inlet protection, slope interruption and perimeter control. It is filled with wood chips and wrapped in a polypropylene netting.
Distinguishing characteristic: Heavy weight and offered in a continuous pallet up to 110-feet long
Suggested application: Projects with many different inlets with varying grate sizes
Sizes:
- 8″ x 10′
- 8″ x 200′
- 12″ x 10′
- 12″ x 110′
Pro Tip: Compost Filter Socks are heavy! Be prepared to use machinery or a few extra hands to unload and install.
Cost Range: $
Drop Inlet Protection Devices
Drop inlets are found in parking lots, paved roads and paved swales. These inlets always have a grate. Drop inlets can be round, square or rectangular.
The Dandy Pop
Description: The Dandy Pop sits on top of drop inlet grates for maximum visibility. To install the Dandy Pop, remove the inlet’s grate and slip it into the Pop’s pouch. Seal the pouch and return the entire unit with grate back to the inlet.
Distinguishing characteristic: Tent-like structure stands over grate
Suggested application: Do your sub-contractors keep running over your inlet protection products? Use the Dandy Pop for high visibility protection from vehicles and machinery.
Sizes: Dandy Pops can be made to fit most standard grate openings
Cost Range: $$
The Dandy Sack
Description: The Dandy Sack attaches to the grate and hangs below the road. During a rain event, sediment laden runoff freely flows into the grate. The Dandy Sack catches the contaminants while filtered rainwater flows through to the stormwater system.
Distinguishing characteristic: Below grate protection that can be driven over
Suggested application: Construction projects on existing developments. Because the Dandy Sack hangs below the grate, it won’t disrupt pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
Sizes: Dandy Sacks can be made to fit most standard grate openings
Cost Range: $$
Inlet Sentry
Description: The Inlet Sentry is a custom inlet protection device exclusively manufactured for Colonial Construction Materials. The Sentry wraps around the inlet’s grate and sits on top of the drop inlet. A “donut” ring sits on top of the sentry and pre-filters debris. This prevents leaves, sticks and other pollutants from contaminating the storm system.
Distinguishing characteristic: “the donut” ring top
Suggested application: Drop inlets that incur a lot of construction or traffic debris
Sizes: The Inlet Sentry can be made to fit most standard grate openings
Cost Range: $$
Square Silt Saver Dome
Description: The Square Silt Saver Dome is also known as a Frame and Filter Assembly. This two-part drop inlet device includes a reusable HDPE frame and a nonwoven geotextile filter. The filter has built-in pouches along the bottom edges. These pouches should be filled with sand and gravel to weight the Dome in place. A specialty Square Dome with built-in adapters is available for inlets with V-Grates.
Distinguishing characteristic: Large reusable HDPE frame
Suggested application: Use as an alternative to silt fence boxes on phased heavy civil projects that require long term protection
Size: 27.5″ x 62.25“
Cost Range: $$$
Round Silt Saver Dome
Description: The round counterpart to the Square Dome includes all of the same features: HDPE Frame, DOT Grade geotextile fabric filter with built in pouches.
Distinguishing characteristic: Reusable and highly visible
Suggested application: Riser pipe openings
Size: 31.5″ tall and 61.5″ in diameter
Cost Range: $$$
Compost Filter Sock
Description: Compost Filter Sock protects drop inlets by creating a perimeter around the grate. The wattle prevents large debris like sticks, trash and leaves from flowing into the grate. The wood chip matrix also filters sediment laden runoff.
Distinguishing characteristic: Heavy wattle that can be custom cut to the desired length
Suggested application: Large sites that need inlet protection, check dams and perimeter control
Sizes:
- 8″ x 10′
- 8″ x 200′
- 12″ x 10′
- 12″ x 110′
Cost Range: $
Conclusion
We hope this guide helped you compare your options for on-site inlet protection.
Although we highlighted a few of our preferred applications, there are countless other ways to protect stormwater systems from construction activity.
To learn more about how to incorporate these inlet protection products into your next design, contact our sales team.
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