Reliable Drainage Solutions for Petrol Stations

Petrol station drainage systems are exposed to some of the most demanding operating conditions in civil engineering. Constant vehicle traffic, aggressive substances and continuous surface stress require solutions that go beyond standard drainage design.

Selecting the right system is critical to ensure long-term durability, operational safety and efficient surface water management.

From continuous braking and tight manoeuvres to acceleration and heavy vehicle loads, petrol station forecourts are subjected to intense and repetitive stress. In addition, frequent exposure to fuel, diesel and lubricating oils further increases the technical demands placed on drainage systems.

Understanding these challenges is key to identifying the most effective drainage solutions for petrol station applications.

A highly demanding environment for Surface Drainage

Petrol stations experience constant and concentrated traffic, where vehicles:

• Brake directly over drainage channels
• Perform tight, low-speed manoeuvres
• Accelerate when exiting the forecourt

These conditions generate high dynamic and axial loads on the drainage system.

At the same time, surfaces are continuously exposed to hydrocarbons such as petrol, diesel and lubricating oils, which can compromise material performance if the system is not specifically designed for these environments.

Which drainage solution performs best?

Polymer concrete drainage channels offer excellent performance in petrol station environments thanks to their:

• High mechanical strength
• Excellent resistance to hydrocarbons and aggressive substances

Making them a reliable and durable solution for this type of application.

Recommended drainage ranges for petrol stations

To meet different project requirements, we offer three high-resistance drainage ranges:

CIVIL-S
Heavy-duty channels designed for areas with restricted installation depth.
+ Ideal when structural height is limited

CIVIL-F
Large-capacity channels for high hydraulic performance requirements.
+ Suitable for large forecourts and high rainfall conditions

KOMPAQDRAIN
Monolithic channels with an integrated grating in a single piece.
+ Ideal for heavy and continuous vehicle traffic
+ Robust, safe solution for medium to high load classes

Quick guide · Which system to specify?

Choosing the right drainage system for each area of a petrol station can be complex.

ULMA has created a practical, application-based selection guide, helping you quickly identify the most suitable solution.

Download the quick spec guide

Proven solutions · Case studies

These drainage systems have already been successfully installed in numerous petrol stations, including:

• Northampton Service Station – CIVIL-F F150 channels

• CNG Fuels Service Stations – CIVIL-F400K and F300K channels (CNG sites with ULMA drainage channels: Birmingham, Knowsley, Bellshill & Newark)

• Alas Petrol Station (Spain) – KOMPAQDRAIN

Planning a petrol station project? Our technical team can help you specify the right drainage solution.