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Shower channels
Technical Product Support Information
The shower drainage option designed to impress
QuARTz by ACO linear shower channel solutions inspire creative bathroom planning. They allow the use or elimination of physical barriers within the bathroom floor and can be incorporated into a wide range of designs.
Gratings can be replaced or LED lights added at a later date to generate a totally new look.
Quality and functionality The high quality of the components is not limited to the design, materials and finish; ease of handling and installation are given the same attention to detail.
The difference is in the details Products are designed to provide a long, reliable service life. The smooth surfaces guarantee safe drainage and hygiene in bathrooms. The seals, joints and materials guarantee low noise emissions.
Award-winning design The stainless steel gratings visibly demonstrate the quality of the shower channels. QuARTz by ACO shower channel gives any number of opportunities to impress through quality and looks!
Standard solutions
A choice of seven grating designs, two material finishes in five standard lengths and two edge details provide the solution to most bathrooms.
Custom solutions
The ability to customize the channel length, outlet position, outlet quantity, material finish to enable special design considerations to be met.
Accessories
Water activated LED illumination through the grate, plumbing connectors and outlet sieve.
Determining type of drainage
One of the most important decisions to consider with a tiled shower area is how to design the drainage.
Not only aesthetically, but also technically – the solution must fit the bathroom floor layout and grades to ensure it functions properly.
Tradition shower drain
Offers a point outlet, typically located at the center of the shower area. Requires careful 4-way grading of the floor to ensure water flows to the outlet without pounding.
- Usually a cheaper initial product cost
- Usually a cheaper initial product cost threshold applications
- Requires traditional tiled threshold step to contain water
- Tiling can be difficult and complex -particularly if using large dimension tiles
- Increased flooring cost due to extra time required to produce a 3D floor pan. Increased tile wastage due to significant increase in cuts required.
Offers a linear grate and body that can be located anywhere within the shower area. Requires simple 2D grading of the floor towards the channel.
- Usually a higher initial product cost
- Can be used with any type of tiled shower configuration
- Can be used to create wet or dry areas
- Level threshold can be created for easy wheelchair / disabled (ADA) access
- Tiling is simplified with minimal cuts required
- Easy to use with any tile size and material
- Reduced tiling cost due to decreased time required. Decreased tile wastage due to significantly fewer cuts required.
The shower channel components are all grade 304 stainless steel. Bodies are fully welded and leak tested prior to dispatch.
Multiple grating designs
The range of grating designs complements personal design preferences and can enhance the appearance of the room. Grates are also easily replaced for a new look.
Material finish
Electro-polished
Channels and gratings are electro polished. This process creates a shiny defect-free surface which minimizes cleaning and maintenance for a high class finish. The textured appearance of the grate is still visible after electro-polishing and helps reduce the appearance of finger prints and soap residue.
Oil-rubbed bronze
In order to complement the latest trend in bathroom fixtures, the channel and grate are also available in oil-rubbed bronze. This finish is applied over the same stainless steel base to ensure a long lasting quality product.
Technical and planning considerations
Installation against the wall.
Outlet flow rate up to 9.5 GPM (0.6 l/s) based on floor grades such that 0.2” (5 mm) head of water possible (see diagram to right).
Installation at the entrance
Outlet flow rate up to 6.3 GPM (0.4 l/s) based on no water accumulation (head of water).
Accumulation and slopes
ASME A112.6.3-2001 requires a 2“ outlet for shower applications. QuARTz by ACO channels have this as standard. The flow value for a 2″ outlet varies depending upon the head of water above the grating.
In the case of shower channels, a head of water is not typical in practice, due to shallower floor grades. Floor drains can have a head of water due to ‘basin’ profile of floor grades.
Flow values without any accumulation (head of water) should be used when shower channels are placed around the perimeter of the shower and no shower threshold step is used.
If the shower channel is installed against a wall, there may be a small amount of accumulation (head of water) depending on the layout of the shower area. Grade of shower floor will determine depth of buildup. (See below).
Outflow performance
The choice of shower channel generally depends on the flow values of the shower fitting. 70 % of shower heads have a maximum capacity of less than 5 GPM (0.3 l/s.)
The QuARTz by ACO shower drain standard channel has an outflow of 6.3 GPM (0.4 l/s). This value assumes no head of water above drain.
Based upon these flow rates the QuARTz by ACO shower drain standard channel can be used in conjunction with the majority of shower head fittings.
A number of custom solutions are available to cope with shower heads with higher flow rates (see page 14).
Drainage planning information
Linear drainage options
| Installation against the wall | Installation at shower entrance |
|---|---|
 |  |
| Simplest slope solution in one direction – slope away from the bathroom – no risk of bypass – use of CPE flexible membrane is recommended. | Slope in one direction, towards the bathroom – possible risk of bypass – slope of bathroom floor towards shower area is recommended to prevent bypass. Channel length should exactly fit the shower opening. |
| Walk-through: Installation against the wall | Walk-through: Installation with two channels |
 |  |
| Slope in one direction just shower area or whole bathroom floor can be sloped towards channel – use of CPE flexible membrane is recommended. | Two directional slope towards the bathroom. Channel length should exactly fit the shower opening. |
| Walk-in: Installation against the wall | Walk-in: Installation at the entrance |
 |  |
| Simplest slope solution in one direction – slope away from the bathroom – no risk of overshooting water – use CPE flexible membrane is recommended. | Two directional slope towards the channel. Channel length should exactly fit the shower opening. |
Plumbing fixtures are commonly the cause of unwanted noise in large commercial buildings; hotels, hospitals, apartment complexes etc. Acceptable acoustical levels are typically assessed in terms of their relationship with a background sound level. Acoustical rating tests for fixtures is still relatively new and are not yet defined in a US standard; ASTM has established a project E-33.08B, Plumbing Noise to investigate the problem. Other international standards include ISO 3822-3 “Acoustics – Laboratory tests on noise emission from appliances and equipment used in water supply installations“ and DIN 4109 “Sound insulation in buildings; requirements and testing”.
QuARTz by ACO showers channels have been tested in accordance with DIN 4109 to determine its enhanced noise transfer levels. The impact sound noise level (water hitting the floor plate) was measured at 27 dB – DIN 4109 specifies 30 dB as acceptable. A shower typically creates 60 to 90 dB when measured at a distance of 3 feet and background noise in a urban bedroom at night is typically around 30 dB, therefore QuARTz by ACO shower channels should not cause any noise transfer concerns.
Features & Benefits:
Shower channel solution for CPE membranes – Plain Edge
Features
- 2″ diameter central vertical outlet
- Flow rate: at entrance of shower – 6.3
- GPM (0.4 l/s); against the wall – 9.5
- GPM (0.6 l/s). See page 6
- Channel width: 3.3“ (84 mm)
- Electro-polished finish as standard; Oil-rubbed bronze finish available to order
- Designed for use with CPE membrane fitting
- Plastic support feet aid installation
- Optional accessories include plumbing connectors, water activated LED lights and debris strainer (see page 16).
Shower channel solution for painted membranes – Flange Edge
Features
- 2″ diameter central vertical outlet
- Flow rate: at entrance of shower – 6.3 GPM (0.4 l/s); against the wall – 9.5 GPM (0.6 l/s). See page 6
- Channel width: 3.3“ (84 mm)
- Electro-polished finish as standard; Oil-rubbed bronze finish available to order
- Designed for use with hot-mop, painted or liquid membranes
- Compatible with tiles up to 10 mm thick (14 mm lip)
- Stainless steel clad flexible coupling connects outlet to pipe system
- Plastic support feet aid installation
- Optional accessories include plumbing connectors, water activated LED lights and debris strainer.
Product Table
| Design | Length in. (mm) | Intake sq. in. |
|---|---|---|
| Quartz Linear Shower Drain Wave™ | 27.55″ (700)mm | 13.66 |
| 31.50″ (800)mm | 15.57 | |
| 35.43″ (900)mm | 17.48 | |
| 39.37″ (1000)mm | 19.39 | |
| 47.24″ (1200)mm | 23.20 | |
| 55.12″ | ||
| Quartz Linear Shower Drain Quadrato™ | 27.55″ (700)mm | 15.39 |
| 31.50″ (800)mm | 17.71 | |
| 35.43″ (900)mm | 20.03 | |
| 39.37″ (1000)mm | 22.35 | |
| 47.24″ (1200)mm | 26.68 | |
| 55.12″ | ||
| Quartz Linear Shower Drain Flag™ | 27.55″ (700)mm | 21.33 |
| 31.50″ (800)mm | 25.10 | |
| 35.43″ (900)mm | 28.85 | |
| 39.37″ (1000)mm | 31.36 | |
| 47.24″ (1200)mm | 36.37 | |
| 55.12″ | ||
| Quartz Linear Shower Drain Hawaii™ | 27.55″ (700)mm | 15.73 |
| 31.50″ (800)mm | 17.48 | |
| 35.43″ (900)mm | 19.22 | |
| 39.37″ (1000)mm | 22.72 | |
| 47.24″ (1200)mm | 26.22 | |
| 55.12″ | ||
| Quartz Linear Shower Drain Mix™ | 27.55″ (700)mm | 18.54 |
| 31.50″ (800)mm | 20.88 | |
| 35.43″ (900)mm | 23.56 | |
| 39.37″ (1000)mm | 26.47 | |
| 47.24″ (1200)mm | 37.71 | |
| 55.12″ | ||
| Quartz Linear Shower Drain Pixel™ | 27.55″ (700)mm | 17.13 |
| 31.50″ (800)mm | 19.00 | |
| 35.43″ (900)mm | 21.48 | |
| 39.37″ (1000)mm | 24.20 | |
| 47.24″ (1200)mm | 29.00 | |
| 55.12″ | ||
| Quartz Linear Shower Drains Tile Grate™ | 27.55 (700) | 13.00 |
| 31.50 (800) | 14.69 | |
| 35.43 (900) | 16.42 | |
| 39.37 (1000) | 18.10 | |
| 47.24 (1200) | 21.50 | |
| 55.12 |
For projects requiring a number of units and standard channels are not appropriate, a number of features can be customized to ensure the unit meets required performance criteria.
Note: All diagrams show flanged shower channel body. Custom features are also available on plain shower channel bodies unless otherwise stated.
1. Length of shower channel
To meet specific room requirements the channel can be manufactured to specific length requirements – minimum 12″ and maximum 118″. Grates will be cut to size using standard length grates, this may result in multiples grates per channel.
Length L = ……………. inches Width is fixed at 3.30″ (84 mm)
Note: For flange body overall width is 5.67″ (144 mm); Overall length is L + 2.36″ (60 mm)
2. Position of 2″ outlet
Plumbing layout restrictions may require a non-central outlet – the position of the outlet can be manufactured to suit site requirements.
3. Number of 2″ outlets
To meet hydraulic requirements of multiple shower heads the number of outlets can be increased. Outlet size is fixed at 2″ diameter due to the width of the unit and availability of compatible plumbing connections.
4. Angled units
Bodies and grates can be fabricated in 90o angles or greater to fit into corners or to create a threshold for a corner shower.
L1 = ……………. inches
L2 = ……………. inches
Left leg
L1 = ……………. inches
L2 = ……………. inches
Right leg
L3 = ……………. inches
Left leg
L1 = ……………. inches
Right leg
L2 = ……………. inches
L3 = ……………. inches
5. Vertical flange extension
For use where the channel will be installed directly against a wall – ensures full water tightness at the floor and wall transition.
Note: Not available on plain shower channel bodies.
6. Material finish
Bodies and grates are supplied in electropolished stainless steel or oil-rubbed bronze finishes as standard. Other finishes may be available to special order.
Accessories
A number of accessories are available to ensure an aesthetic and trouble-free installation.
Plumbing fittings
In order to connect the 2” plain end spigot to the plumbing system a connection fitting with be required. QuARTz by ACO offer a choice of two:
- CPE membrane fitting – typically used with the plain body channel. Allows connection and clamping of a CPE flexible membrane
- Stainless steel clad flexible coupling – typically used with the flanged body channel. Used where a hot-mop painted membrane is used. Stainless steel cladding ensures connector is suitable where plastic fitting are considered a fire hazard.
Debris strainer
A stainless steel sieve/strainer that sits inside the 2″ diameter outlet to collect hair and debris. Note that use of strainer will reduce the flow performance of the shower channel.
Water activated LED lights
Illumination is possible for both standard and custom shower channels. The illumination is based on simple circuit completion: as sufficient water runs over the LED light packs the circuit connects the contacts of the LED light modules and the lights turn on. When the water stops running the illumination switches off.
Allowing a daily showering duration of 15 minutes, batteries would need to be recharged after approx. three months.
- Suitable for all grate designs except tile
- Automatically illuminate when in contact with water Light kit consisting of: 2 x rechargeable LED packs 1 x 110V UL rated low voltage charger
- Choice of colors; red, green, blue, rainbow (alternating colors
Installation overview
Tiled showers rely on waterproofing membrane beneath the tiles and grout. QuARTz by ACO offers a number of options to ensure compatibility with different floor structures.
The installation details shown set out to provide the designer with integrated solutions to wet room floor drainage identifying preparation, installation and construction processes required to install waterproof channels and floor gullies in level threshold wet room environments.
Whilst these details do not cover every possible situation, they do provide a practical reference to most design applications.
Where alterations to floor joists are necessary consult Structural Engineer for advice and reinforce floor joists as advised.
2. Frame out shower surround as required.
3. Connect base of flange outlet adaptor (A) to pipe work, leaving drain bolts in place. Block drain opening with rag to prevent floor mortar blocking pipe work.
4. Trowel mortar onto sub-floor.(B)
5. Install CPE membrane, (C) reinforce around outlet and cut carefully to reveal heads of drain bolts and outlet.
6. Install top section of flange outlet adaptor. (D)
7. Test membrane for leaks
8. Lubricate outlet spigot on shower channel (liquid soap) and push fit shower channel into correct position and height.
9. Cut plastic installation feet to height to rest on the membrane and keep shower channel at required height and level.
10. Trowel mortar to required height,(E) allowing for thickness of tile and thin set mortar and grade to create 1% slope towards the drain.
11. After floor mortar has cured, apply thin set,(F) install tile and grout.(G)
12. Install grate into shower channel.
Flange body – Concrete Floor
1. Frame out shower surround in concrete slab as required, see diagram top right.
2. Set top edge of shower channel slightly below finished tile level, cut plastic installation feet to height to hold shower channel at required height and level.
3. Connect outlet to pipe work using 2″ stainless coupler.(A)
4. Pour concrete slurry(B) into framed out void in concrete slab to height of flange on channel body.(C)
5. Install ‘hot-mop or liquid membrane, (D) fully covering concrete and flange of shower channel in accordance with manufacturer‘s instructions.
6. Trowel motor to required height and grade, approx. 1%.(E)
7. Apply thin set.(F)
8. Lay tile and grout.(G)
9. Install grate into shower channel.
More information
Shower Channel Joisted Wood Floor Installation
Shower Channel Concrete Slab Installation
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