Stormbloc^® and Stormbloc^® Inspect Frequently Asked Questions

Note: Request or download Stormbloc^® product literature for more details.

Q. What is Stormbloc^®?
A. Stormbloc^® is a preassembled, polypropylene block media designed for subsurface stormwater storage and infiltration applications. It has a modular structure that is available in two heights so that the individual block and half-block media can be stacked vertically and connected together to maximize the available storage within a given footprint. Each Stormbloc^® block features an integral channel running through it, to provide access for inspection and maintenance.

Q. What size are the blocks?
A. The standard block size is 31.5 inches (800 mm) square in plan and 26.0 inches (660 mm) in depth. Half-blocks are 13.8 inches (350 mm) in height.

Q. Can Stormbloc^® be used for LID applications?
A. Yes, it can. It can be used for detention or infiltration, or for disconnected roof downspouts, streetside storage schemes, upstream of swales or rain gardens, and rainwater harvesting.

Q. Can Stormbloc^® be used below roads or car-parking areas?
A. Yes it can. The vertical and lateral strength has been tested to determine appropriate depths of cover needed to distribute AASHTO traffic loads. Request or download the Stormbloc^® Design Manual or product Data Sheet for recommended minimum cover depths and materials.

Q. What maintenance is required for the Stormbloc^® system?
A. Within the first 6 months of installation, the Stormbloc^® system should be inspected to ensure that proper site stabilization and erosion control measures have kept leftover construction debris from entering the system. After the first 6 months of installation, the Stormbloc^® system should be inspected annually and cleaned out as needed using standard vactor and drainage pressure washing equipment. Request or download the Stormbloc^® Inspection and Maintenance Manual.

Q. How are the inlet pipes connected to the Stormbloc^® system?
A. The system is supplied with a number of end plates that attach directly to the end of the inspection tunnels. These end plates can be cut to accept pipes up to 8 inches in diameter. It is also possible to attach pipes up to 4 inches in diameter to the side of the blocks via a removable cut-out. Inlet pipes can also be connected to the upper, lower or riser shaft connections on the Stormbloc^® Inspect Chamber.

Q. Does the Stormbloc^® Infiltration System require stone fill on the base and sides?
A. No. Backfill materials can be structural fill, sand, gravel or other free draining material that can be compacted to 95%. Native, as-dug materials may be used in non-trafficked applications, although in either instance the material should not contain any sharp objects that may pierce the blocks. For infiltration applications, native soils should be evaluated to ensure they are free of organics, clay and have an adequate percolation rate (typically 1-2 inches per hour minimum).

Q. What is the range of pipe sizes that can be connected to the Stormbloc^® Inspect?
A. The Stormbloc^® Inspect with stub can facilitate all pipe sizes up to 18 inches.

Q. Does the inlet to the Stormbloc^® Inspect need to be in line with the tunnels within the Stormbloc^® blocks?
A. No, the inlet can be at 90 degrees to the tunnels. Either 1, 2 or 3 sides of the Stormbloc^® Inspect can be opened to give access to the Stormbloc^® channels.

Q. Can the Stormbloc^® Inspect be used without the Stormbloc^®?
A. No, it is designed to be an integral part of a Stormbloc^®  System.

Q. What is the loading limit of Stormbloc^® Inspect?
A. The Stormbloc^® Inspect has a similar strength to the standard Stormbloc^® Inspect modules, i.e. vertical and lateral ultimate compressive strength of 450 kN/m² (9,398 lb/ft²) and 139 kN/m² (2,903 lb/ft²) respectively.

Q. Is the Inspect Riser Shaft large enough for personnel entry into Inspect Modules?
A. No. Access into Inspect Riser Shaft and the Inspect modules is only intended for remote CCTV surveying and rodding or jetting equipment. However, they are large enough to allow equipment access into the maintenance channels that run the entire length of the Stormbloc^® system so entry by maintenance personnel is not required.

Q. What is the volume of a Stormbloc^® Inspect module?
A. The volume of a Stormbloc^® Inspect module is the same as the Stormbloc^® media. A single full Inspect block holds 14.2 ft³ and a half Inspect block holds 7.5 ft³ of stormwater.