10 Soakaway Crate Manufacturers: A UK Buyer’s Shortlist

Updated October 2026

Disclosure: This guide is published by Storm Manage. We list ourselves first because this is our website, not because we claim to be the market leader. The other 9 manufacturers are grouped by what they are best for, in no particular order within each group.

Finding the right soakaway crate manufacturers is more than just finding the highest void percentages. A UK project requires a named range, compatible wrap, access route, loading context and a delivery plan that can be integrated. This shortlist evaluates ten current manufacturer or product owner ranges and states a practical limitation for each. It is meant to help a buyer reduce a long supplier list to two or three suitable conversations.

10current manufacturer or product-owner ranges
4buying situations compared
1model-specific quote brief to send
Quick answer: Storm Manage suits container-scale direct supply with matched accessories; Polypipe Civils and Wavin suit broad UK system selection; Naylor and Brett Martin cover defined UK drainage ranges; ACO, GRAF, FRÄNKISCHE and REHAU put inspection or cleaning access at the centre; Geoplast offers a shallow panel-based alternative. None should be selected from a headline figure alone.

Soakaway crate manufacturers compared

Range-fit map grouping soakaway crate manufacturers into four UK procurement scenarios

The table is a range-fit map rather than a league table. “Best for” describes the buying situation in which the official product evidence is most useful. It does not mean that one company is universally better. The limitation column is included so the first quotation request is specific enough to prevent a technically impressive but commercially unusable answer.

No. Company Name Headquarters Founded Year Best For Brief Introduction Crate Systems and Materials Key Advantages Potential Disadvantages Official Website
1 Storm Manage Shenzhen, Guangdong production base; corporate headquarters not stated. Production base established in 2013; not a legal incorporation year. container-scale direct sourcing with matched wraps and connectors Stormwater module and matched-accessory manufacturer/export brand. StormTank H400/H500 modular PP crates, geotextile, geomembrane and connector accessories. Two published crate heights are paired with wraps and connection accessories for direct container supply. FOB Shenzhen/container sourcing needs an import and delivery plan; the page does not present UK stock or installation service. https://stormmanage.com/soakaway-crate/
2 Polypipe Civils UK civils and Green Urbanisation business; no single corporate city stated on the company site. Polypipe was founded in 1980 as an extruded and moulded plastics manufacturer. broad UK civils system selection with inspection and silt-control options Integrated water-management and geocellular-system manufacturer. Polystorm R, Access, Inspect, Deep, Xtra, Biomat, Catchpit and Silt Trap. The current family includes separate Access and Inspect products alongside Deep and Xtra. The current overview names several variants but does not replace the project-specific installation guide or certificate schedule. https://www.polypipecivils.com/products/wms/geocellular/polystorm/
3 Wavin Schiphol, Netherlands group office; the product page covers the UK range. Wavin was founded in 1955 in the Netherlands. UK-made recycled AquaCell NG with open inspection channels International water and building-infrastructure manufacturer. AquaCell NG infiltration unit, base plates, side plates, geotextile and pipe adaptors. Wavin publishes an M&J Evans case study for a 100-home development using AquaCell NG. AquaCell NG is a current family; older Core or Plus data must not be substituted for it. https://wavin.com/gb/s/C02_F008_S290/aquacell-next-gen-ng
4 Naylor Cawthorne, Yorkshire production site for AquaVoid Home; corporate HQ not stated. Naylor Group history dates back to 1890. non-traffic landscaped and domestic-style UK attenuation UK manufacturer of clay and plastic drainage and civil products. AquaVoid Home modular recycled-PP attenuation crate, 1000×500×400mm. Naylor says AquaVoid Home is made at Cawthorne, Yorkshire and available through UK merchants. AquaVoid Home is explicitly for non-traffic landscaped areas; it is not a generic heavy-duty alternative. https://www.naylor.co.uk/our-solutions/storm/aquavoid/product/aquavoid-crate
5 Brett Martin Mallusk, County Antrim, Northern Ireland group head office and main manufacturing facility. Brett Martin was founded in 1958. trafficked or untrafficked StormCrate55 projects with simple stacked assembly Family-owned plastics manufacturer with plumbing and drainage products. StormCrate55 modular cellular soakaway and attenuation crates. The page describes a Blue Group parking and light-goods-vehicle case study using StormCrate55. The StormCrate55 page gives a supply and stockist route; it does not promise a full installation package. https://www.brettmartin.com/plumbing-drainage/our-products/product/storm-water-management
6 ACO Rendsburg/Büdelsdorf, Northern Germany ACO group base. ACO was founded in 1946 in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. open-cell access and configured maintenance layouts Water-management systems manufacturer. StormBrixx SD, HD GF and HD900 systems with access plates, chambers and connectors. ACO offers a configurator that can produce a StormBrixx bill of materials. ACO states that it does not provide installation service, and SD, HD GF and HD900 are separate model scopes. https://www.aco.co.uk/products/stormbrixx
7 GRAF Teningen, Germany headquarters and production location. Otto Graf GmbH was founded in 1962. inspectable EcoBloc systems with BBA-listed documentation Family-owned plastic-products manufacturer for water management. EcoBloc Inspect flex modules with baseplates, end plates, connectors and geotextile. GRAF states its inspection channel allows camera access and high-pressure jetting. Certification and load figures belong to the named EcoBloc model and configuration, not every GRAF water product. https://www.graf.info/en/stormwater-management/stormwater-management/ecobloc-system/ecobloc-inspect-flex.html
8 FRÄNKISCHE Königsberg, Lower Franconia, Germany. FRÄNKISCHE Group was founded in 1906. camera-accessible, space-saving Rigofill layouts Family-run polymer and drainage-system manufacturer. Rigofill ST-S blocks, QuadroControl inspection shafts, RigoFlor geotextile and accessories. The transparent inspection tunnel lets operators view the block interior and adjacent soil area. The current page contains QuadroControl ST-S and an ST-B application reference; confirm the compatible shaft designation. https://www.fraenkische.com/en/product/rigofill-st-s-system-versickerung
9 REHAU Water Technologies Erlangen, Germany corporate head office for Water Technologies. REHAU was set up in 1948 in Rehau, Germany. variant-specific cleaning channels, high-load boxes and prefabricated RAUSIKKO One Polymer-based water and infrastructure systems provider. RAUSIKKO Box SX, 8.6 SC, 8.6 HC, H/HX and RAUSIKKO One modules. RAUSIKKO Box 8.6 HC adds a cleaning channel for sediment extraction by vacuum truck. RAUSIKKO SX, SC/HC, H/HX and One have different functions and approval boundaries. https://water.rehau.com/uk-en/solutions-for-civil-engineering/stormwater/stormwater-rausikko-box
10 Geoplast Grantorto, Padua, Italy. Geoplast was founded in 1974; recycled-plastic construction focus began in 1998. shallow panel-based detention and infiltration basins Sustainability-products manufacturer with recycled-plastic construction and water systems. Drainpanel recycled-PP layered modules for detention, infiltration and reuse storage. Geoplast publishes Drainpanel projects including an airport car park in Milan and a university campus basin in Italy. Drainpanel is a layered panel basin, not a drop-in crate box; UK availability and support need separate confirmation. https://www.geoplastglobal.com/en/products/water/drainpanel/

Use the table as a first filter. Then open the exact model page and ask for the installation guide, structural schedule, wrap specification, inspection components and delivery terms that match the project. A company may have several product families, and a certificate, load value or access part normally belongs to one of them.

How we selected these manufacturers

Comparison of manufacturer or product owner evidence route versus local stockist supply

The shortlist includes companies or product owners that have an official product page and a traceable manufacturer or brand owner trail. Retail only pages, directories, and incomplete candidate records have been excluded. The final ten were evaluated against the official product and company pages in October 2026, and model names, dimensions, void figures, access routes, and certification wording have been scoped to the extent described by each source.

A manufacturer can operate through distributors, contract production or a group brand. That is why the test is not “does the company sell a crate?” The useful test is whether the official material identifies the product owner or manufacturing range clearly enough for a buyer to request the correct technical and commercial documents. A stockist may still be the right route for a small urgent order, but it is a different procurement relationship from direct factory supply.

Manufacturer or product ownerCan identify a named system, technical scope and evidence route.
Stockist or merchantCan provide local availability, price and delivery for a listed product.
Buyer checkAsk who issues the certificate, who supports installation and who owns the warranty.

The selection deliberately avoids invented scores and market-share estimates. It also keeps candidate names that will require a later evidence pass out of the ten. This makes the comparison narrow, but it gives a buyer a more refined starting point than a list that contains names solely from retailer pages.

Direct bulk sourcing with matched accessories

Storm Manage StormTank H400 190L and H500 237.5L modular PP crates for container-scale direct supply

1. Storm Manage — Best for container-scale direct sourcing with matched wraps and connectors

Storm Manage is the direct-sourcing option in this shortlist. Its own product page describes the StormTank family, the accessory package and a container-oriented supply route. That makes it relevant when the buyer wants the crate, the wrap and connection pieces discussed together at quotation stage. The commercial decision is different from buying a pallet from a local merchant, so freight, unloading, import terms and site programme belong in the first enquiry.

What the official pages say. Stormwater module and matched-accessory manufacturer/export brand. StormTank H400/H500 modular PP crates, geotextile, geomembrane and connector accessories. 95% design void; H400 190L and H500 237.5L nominal storage; DN200–700 connections and DN800 inspection-well base. CE/EN1852, SGS and Intertek evidence is identified for stated components/tests; the page says no BBA, Kiwa or WRc product approval for this range.

Why it may fit. Container-scale direct sourcing with matched wraps and connectors. Two published crate heights are paired with wraps and connection accessories for direct container supply. For Storm Manage, the buying decision turns on the named range, its maintenance path and the accessory scope.

Range details. Range details recorded for Storm Manage: Shenzhen; 2013; OEM/ODM; H500; 95%; BBA; container.

Procurement note. FOB Shenzhen/container sourcing needs an import and delivery plan; the page does not present UK stock or installation service.

Official website: https://stormmanage.com/soakaway-crate/

The Storm Manage catalogue distinguishes H400 1000×500×400mm 190L and H500 1000×500×500mm 237.5L nominal water storage at 95% void, with separately supplied wrap and connection accessories. These figures are for the named catalogue range and should be quoted with the model in a project quotation.

Established UK plastic drainage ranges

Comparison of Polypipe Polystorm, Wavin AquaCell NG, Naylor AquaVoid Home and Brett Martin StormCrate55 scopes

2. Polypipe Civils — Best for broad UK civils system selection with inspection and silt-control options

Polypipe Civils is useful when a specification needs a broad UK geocellular family rather than a single box. The current Polystorm overview separates R, Access, Inspect, Deep and Xtra, with related silt and catchpit products. A buyer can therefore keep the water-management brief and the maintenance brief in one product conversation, while still asking for the exact model data sheet before fixing a design.

What the official pages say. Manufacturer of integrated water management systems and geocellular systems. Polystorm R, Access, Inspect, Deep, Xtra, Biomat, Catchpit and Silt Trap. 95% void ratio, 20–83 tonnes/m² load-bearing range, 60+ years design life and 100% recyclability. Performance data and SuDS positioning are provided in the current overview; model certificates are available on the technical hub.

Why it may fit. Broad UK civils system selection with inspection and silt-control options. The current family includes separate Access and Inspect products alongside Deep and Xtra. For Polypipe Civils, the buying decision turns on the named range, its maintenance path and the accessory scope.

Range details. Range details recorded for Polypipe Civils: UK; 1980; integrated water management; Polystorm Inspect; 20 to 83; Technical Info; Polystorm Access.

Procurement note. The current overview names several variants but does not replace the project-specific installation guide or certificate schedule.

Official website: https://www.polypipecivils.com/products/wms/geocellular/polystorm/

3. Wavin — Best for UK-made recycled AquaCell NG with open inspection channels

Wavin belongs on a UK shortlist because AquaCell NG is presented as a current UK-manufactured system with recycled and recyclable material, inspection channels and associated components. The name is familiar, but the model boundary matters. AquaCell NG should be treated as the current family under review; older Wavin product names should not be used as a substitute for its installation or access details.

What the official pages say. International water and building-infrastructure manufacturer. AquaCell NG infiltration unit, base and side plates, geotextile and pipe adapters. UK-manufactured from 100% recycled and recyclable plastic; open inspection channels and optional interlocking for deeper/heavy-traffic situations. Page identifies UK manufacture and installation documentation, but no universal certifications for all AquaCell variants.

Why it may fit. UK-made recycled AquaCell ng with open inspection channels. Wavin publishes an M&J Evans case study for a 100-home development using AquaCell NG. For Wavin, the buying decision turns on the named range, its maintenance path and the accessory scope.

Range details. Range details recorded for Wavin: Schiphol; Founded in 1955; Wavin; AquaCell Next Gen; Open inspection channels; Product and Installation Manual; 100 new build development.

Procurement note. AquaCell NG is a current family; older Core or Plus data must not be substituted for it.

Official website: https://wavin.com/gb/s/C02_F008_S290/aquacell-next-gen-ng

4. Naylor — Best for non-traffic landscaped and domestic-style UK attenuation

Naylor gives buyers a defined route into both domestic and civil drainage products. The current AquaVoid Home page describes a 2025 range made at Cawthorne in Yorkshire, and it states a non-traffic landscaping application. That is a useful fit for a named use case, provided the enquiry keeps the Home product separate from other AquaVoid geometries and loading data.

What the official pages say. UK manufacturer of clay and plastic drainage and civil products. AquaVoid Home modular recycled-PP attenuation crate, 1000×500×400mm. 100% recycled PP, clip-together modular design, 96% void ratio and 192L volume in the AquaVoid Home sheet. AquaVoid Home sheet states BS EN ISO 9001:2015 quality systems and inspection, certificate FM01420.

Why it may fit. Non-traffic landscaped and domestic-style UK attenuation. Naylor says AquaVoid Home is made at Cawthorne, Yorkshire and available through UK merchants. For Naylor, the buying decision turns on the named range, its maintenance path and the accessory scope.

Range details. Range details recorded for Naylor: Cawthorne; 1890; UK manufacturer; AquaVoid Home; 192; FM 01420; manufactured by Naylor.

Procurement note. AquaVoid Home is explicitly for non-traffic landscaped areas; it is not a generic heavy-duty alternative.

Official website: https://www.naylor.co.uk/our-solutions/storm/aquavoid/product/aquavoid-crate

5. Brett Martin — Best for trafficked or untrafficked StormCrate55 projects with simple stacked assembly

Brett Martin brings a UK drainage package around StormCrate55. Its product page describes a modular cellular crate with integrated inlet/outlet and the wider group operates from Northern Ireland. This is a good option where the installer wants a drainage manufacturer they are familiar with and a crate specification which can be evaluated against chambers, pipework and stockist support.

What the official pages say. Family-owned plastics manufacturer with plumbing and drainage products. StormCrate55 modular cellular soakaway and attenuation crates. 95% void ratio, 562kN/m² load-bearing design, 237.5L per crate, integrated inlet/outlet and four crates per cubic meter. Brett Martin states all group production facilities achieved BS EN 9001:2015; the product page does not assign that statement to a model certificate.

Why it may fit. Trafficked or untrafficked StormCrate55 projects with simple stacked assembly. The page describes a Blue Group parking and light-goods-vehicle case study using StormCrate55. For Brett Martin, the buying decision turns on the named range, its maintenance path and the accessory scope.

Range details. Range details recorded for Brett Martin: Newtownabbey; Founded in 1958; family business; StormCrate55; 237.5L; BS EN 9001:2015; Blue Group.

Procurement note. The StormCrate55 page gives a supply and stockist route; it does not promise a full installation package.

Official website: https://www.brettmartin.com/plumbing-drainage/our-products/product/storm-water-management

Systems built around inspection access

Four stormwater crate inspection architectures: open-cell, jetting channel, transparent tunnel and vacuum cleaning channel

6. ACO — Best for open-cell access and configured maintenance layouts

ACO StormBrixx is built around open-cell access and a configured system. The current page distinguishes SD, HD GF and HD900 by size, void ratio and access arrangement, and it names model-level certification references. The key procurement step is to select the model and access parts as one system, as opposed to copying a headline percentage from one StormBrixx variant to another.

What the official pages say. Water-management systems manufacturer. StormBrixx SD, HD GF and HD900 systems with access plates, chambers and connectors. SD 914mm/97%, HD GF 612mm/95% and HD900 920mm/97%; model-specific short-term figures and open-cell inspection. The page names MFPA or DIBt certification by model and BS EN 17152-1 compliance.

Why it may fit. Open-cell access and configured maintenance layouts. ACO offers a configurator that can produce a StormBrixx bill of materials. For ACO, the buying decision turns on the named range, its maintenance path and the accessory scope.

Range details. Range details recorded for ACO: Rendsburg; 1946; StormBrixx; StormBrixx HD900; Access and maintenance; DIBt Certification; Configurator.

Procurement note. ACO states that it does not provide installation service, and SD, HD GF and HD900 are separate model scopes.

Official website: https://www.aco.co.uk/products/stormbrixx

7. GRAF — Best for inspectable EcoBloc systems with BBA-listed documentation

GRAF’s EcoBloc Inspect flex is a purpose-built inspectable storage system. The product page gives the module and baseplate volumes, connection sizes, inspection route and the BBA Agrément reference for this named family. That combination is helpful when the brief requires planned camera access or jetting, but the certificate and load wording must stay attached to EcoBloc Inspect flex.

What the official pages say. Family-owned plastic-products manufacturer for water management. EcoBloc Inspect flex modules with baseplates, end plates, connectors and geotextile. 205L module, 25L baseplate, inspection channel, jetting and DN110/160/200 connections; up to 60-tonne vehicle loading with 800mm cover. The page lists BBA Agrément 15/5200 plus DIBt and QB references for EcoBloc Inspect flex.

Why it may fit. Inspectable EcoBloc systems with BBA-listed documentation. GRAF states its inspection channel allows camera access and high-pressure jetting. For GRAF, the buying decision turns on the named range, its maintenance path and the accessory scope.

Range details. Range details recorded for GRAF: Teningen; Founded; production; EcoBloc Inspect flex; 205 l; BBA Agrément Certificate Number 15/5200; high pressure jetting.

Procurement note. Certification and load figures belong to the named EcoBloc model and configuration, not every GRAF water product.

Official website: https://www.graf.info/en/stormwater-management/stormwater-management/ecobloc-system/ecobloc-inspect-flex.html

8. FRÄNKISCHE — Best for camera-accessible, space-saving Rigofill layouts

FRÄNKISCHE positions Rigofill ST-S as a space-saving, camera-accessible system with QuadroControl shafts and RigoFlor accessories. The current page reports net and gross volumes separately and describes a transparent inspection tunnel. This is a system purchase, so the shaft designation, wrap and access arrangement should be confirmed together before a mixed-kit substitution is made.

What the official pages say. Family-owned polymer and drainage-system manufacturer. Rigofill ST-S blocks, QuadroControl inspection shafts, RigoFlor geotextile and accessories. 406L storage from 422L gross volume, >96% storage volume, transparent inspection tunnel and camera access. Current product page provides installation manual, EPD and datasheets; no universal certificate is stated for every Rigofill configuration.

Why it may fit. Camera-accessible, space-saving Rigofill layouts. The transparent inspection tunnel lets operators view the block interior and adjacent soil area. For FRÄNKISCHE, the buying decision turns on the named range, its maintenance path and the accessory scope.

Range details. Range details recorded for FRÄNKISCHE: headquarters; Founded in 1906; family-run; QuadroControl ST-S; 406 liters; Installation manual; entire inside.

Procurement note. The current page contains QuadroControl ST-S and an ST-B application reference; confirm the compatible shaft designation.

Official website: https://www.fraenkische.com/en/product/rigofill-st-s-system-versickerung

9. REHAU Water Technologies — Best for variant-specific cleaning channels, high-load boxes and prefabricated RAUSIKKO One

REHAU is relevant where the project needs a toolbox of variants rather than one universal crate. The RAUSIKKO page separates transport-friendly SX, cleaning-channel SC/HC, high-load H/HX and the prefabricated One route. Each choice changes the procurement conversation, so a quotation should name the variant, cleaning requirement, cover condition and approval reference instead of saying only “RAUSIKKO box”.

What the official pages say. Provides polymer-based water and infrastructure systems. RAUSIKKO Box SX, 8.6 SC, 8.6 HC, H/HX and RAUSIKKO One modules. 75% less storage space for SX logistics, cleaning channels for SC/HC, SLW60 high-load scope and HX depths up to 5.8m. The UK page references DIBt approval for RAUSIKKO Box HX; do not transfer it to every variant.

Why it may fit. Variant-specific cleaning channels, high-load boxes and prefabricated RAUSIKKO One. RAUSIKKO Box 8.6 HC adds a cleaning channel for sediment extraction by vacuum truck. For REHAU Water Technologies, the buying decision turns on the named range, its maintenance path and the accessory scope.

Range details. Range details recorded for REHAU Water Technologies: Corporate Head Office Erlangen; 1948; Water Technologies; RAUSIKKO Box HX; 75% less storage space; DIBt approval; cleaning channel.

Procurement note. RAUSIKKO SX, SC/HC, H/HX and One have different functions and approval boundaries.

Official website: https://water.rehau.com/uk-en/solutions-for-civil-engineering/stormwater/stormwater-rausikko-box

Modular panel storage for constrained layouts

10. Geoplast — Best for shallow panel-based detention and infiltration basins

Geoplast’s Drainpanel is the alternative shape in this shortlist. It uses layered recycled-polypropylene panels for detention, infiltration and reuse storage, with a shallow module height and a stated net volume when four levels are assembled. It is not a drop-in replacement for a stacked crate box, so the buyer should compare the complete assembled basin, membrane and access arrangement rather than a single panel price.

What the official pages say. Sustainability-products manufacturer with recycled-plastic construction and water systems. Drainpanel recycled-PP layered modules for detention, infiltration and reuse storage. 96% void ratio, 23cm module height, 250L module capacity and 963L net volume in four levels. The page states recycled polypropylene and EPD-certified sustainability claims; model-specific structural certificates are not listed there.

Why it may fit. Shallow panel-based detention and infiltration basins. Geoplast publishes Drainpanel projects including an airport car park in Milan and a university campus basin in Italy. For Geoplast, the buying decision turns on the named range, its maintenance path and the accessory scope.

Range details. Range details recorded for Geoplast: Grantorto; founded in 1974; designs and manufactures; Drainpanel; 963 liters; EPD-certified; Linate Airport.

Procurement note. Drainpanel is a layered panel basin, not a drop-in crate box; UK availability and support need separate confirmation.

Official website: https://www.geoplastglobal.com/en/products/water/drainpanel/

Panel systems deserve a separate conversation because their installation geometry, void calculation and membrane arrangement differ from a conventional stacked crate array. They can be valuable when height, access or assembly logistics drive the brief, but a price comparison should use the complete assembled system volume and accessory list.

How to choose a soakaway crate manufacturer

Start with the water-management brief before selecting a range. Rainwater can run off roofs; runoff from a gutter may enter underground drainage through drainage pipes before it reaches the storage array. In a housing or garden project, permeable paving or rainwater recycling may influence runoff; in commercial applications, the surface water flow and release point may be controlled differently. A rain-smart layout still requires a named model and product specification sheets. The installation guide should be next to the quote to make store, surround and access assumptions visible. Record whether the system intends to infiltrate surrounding soil or to retain water inside a sealed envelope. If the intent is unclear, a supplier may return a neat quotation for the wrong application.

Standard soakaway crates are one category within underground drainage, along with systems on panels and tanks. A reliable layout controls flow and release rate, while effective storage relies on the site brief and the selected range.

An expert can compare an easy to install assembly to a fully assembled chamber package and then record which parts are supplied together. Parts should be labeled so the installation team can work efficiently.

For commercial applications, the array may sit on a sub-base and be used for storing stormwater. Water can be held temporarily and released gradually through the intended network, with effectiveness judged against the project brief rather than a generic product label.

Consider a term like “tonne vertical load” to be a model specific test label. It requires the named configuration and cover context to support a project decision.

  1. Define the water path. State infiltration, attenuation or reuse, and identify the receiving soil or discharge arrangement.
  2. Define the surface and cover. Record landscaped, pedestrian, car-park or other traffic conditions, plus the required cover and any protection layer.
  3. Define access. State whether the array needs a chamber, camera route, jetting channel, silt trap or clean-out connection.
  4. Define the range. Name the manufacturer and model, not only the company or a generic crate description.
  5. Define the supply boundary. Confirm wrap, connectors, risers, covers, freight, unloading, import terms and installation responsibility.

Storage should only be compared after the same basis is shown. A 95% void figure is not a design capacity and is not interchangeable with a net volume of a finished module. A temporary vertical or lateral test value is only applicable to its stated model and test case and should not be construed as an installed design approval. The quotation should show the manufacturer’s stated unit, test case, and model and state the test context next to the number quoted.

Treat access as a system path. An access chamber is an entry point; the supplier has to declare if that route gets to the intended array. Open cell systems, inspection tunnels, channels, bases and shafts address different maintenance issues. The quote should mark the route on the array drawing and show what is included in the cost.

Material and wrap selection follows the water path. A permeable geotextile is commonly used when water must infiltrate through the sides of the system, while a geomembrane or sealed liner is used when the storage volume must remain contained. The correct grade, seam, lap and protection layer are product and site matters. Request the manufacturer’s installation detail instead of copying a generic membrane specification from another range.

For an overseas direct order, the unit price is just one element of the decision. Consider the Incoterms, assumptions about port and delivery, the number of containers, unloading method, damaged goods procedures, lead time, and responsibility for import clearance. A local merchant may be more suitable for a small or urgent order, even when a direct factory order offers a more favorable route for a container-scale order.

For a UK commercial project, send the same brief to two or three shortlisted product owners or distributors. Use identical dimensions, surface use, water path and access requirements. Request the same document set from each: current product sheet, installation guide, structural or loading schedule, certificate references, accessory list and delivery terms. This makes a price comparison less vulnerable to hidden exclusions.

Do

  • Keep model-specific figures beside their source.
  • Ask who owns the certificate and warranty.
  • Show access and silt control on the same sketch.
  • Separate product supply from installation service.
Do not

  • Use a retailer headline as a manufacturer specification.
  • Transfer one variant’s load or void figure to a whole family.
  • Assume a chamber reaches every crate.
  • Compare a panel basin with a crate box by unit price alone.

How should my pipe enter the soakaway crate?

Use the manufacturer’s named inlet, outlet, adaptor or chamber detail for the selected model. The pipe size, orientation and connection piece should appear on the quotation and array drawing. Do not drill a generic opening or assume that a fitting from another crate family will seal correctly. Ask whether the inlet includes a silt-control arrangement and whether the inspection route remains accessible after the connection is installed.

What is a silt trap and why should I have one?

A silt trap captures sediment before it reaches the storage or infiltration array. A silt trap is upstream treatment, and a channel or chamber is a maintenance route into the system. The two functions can be combined. For a paved area, confirm the size of the trap, access for cleaning, connection detail and expected maintenance interval with the designer, owner or product engineer.

What a complete crate quotation includes

A comparison quotation should state the quantity of the crate model, usable or net storage, base or side plates, geotextile or geomembrane, connectors and pipe adapters, a silt trap, access risers and covers, freight, unloading, VAT or import terms, and design and installation exclusions. Request that the supplier state if the load schedule assumes a cover depth or surround condition. If those conditions do not exist, the schedule may not be ready for design.

Procurement checkpoint: Ask every supplier to answer the same four lines: named model, water path, maintenance route and delivery boundary. That short brief exposes most differences before price becomes the only comparison.

Frequently asked questions

Do soakaway crates work?

Yes, when the site infiltration conditions, hydraulic design and selected system match. The receiving soil and the hydraulic design determine infiltration; a crate provides the storage void. The designer must establish the water path, soil conditions, groundwater relationship, cover and loading context, then use the manufacturer’s installation and structural information for the named model.

What membrane for soakaway crates?

A permeable geotextile is generally associated with infiltration because it separates surrounding soil while allowing water to pass. A sealed geomembrane is used where attenuation or reuse storage needs the water retained. The correct grade, seam, protection and connection detail depend on the selected product and site. Ask the manufacturer for the exact wrap and installation detail instead of transferring a generic GSM or lap dimension.

Do you fill soakaway crates with gravel?

The crate void is normally the storage volume, so it should not be filled with gravel unless the named manufacturer and design specifically require it. Bedding, surround and protection layers are different from filling the cells. Adding unapproved material can reduce storage, obstruct inspection and change the structural context. Follow the installation guide for the exact range and record any aggregate requirement in the quotation.

How deep does a soakaway crate need to be?

No single cover depth applies to every project. The answer depends on the model, traffic or landscaping condition, groundwater and soil, site levels, pipe fall and the design basis accepted for the project. A supplier’s depth or loading number belongs to its stated configuration and should not be copied to another range. The model-specific cover and loading schedule then gives the responsible designer the evidence needed to confirm the finished arrangement.

Which manufacturer is best for a UK commercial project?

There is no single best manufacturer for every UK commercial project. Storm Manage fits container-scale direct supply with matched accessories; Polypipe Civils and Wavin suit broad system selection; Naylor and Brett Martin provide defined UK drainage ranges; ACO, GRAF, FRÄNKISCHE and REHAU are useful when inspection or cleaning access drives the brief; Geoplast offers a panel-based layout. Send the same model, water-path, access and delivery brief to several candidates and compare evidence, exclusions and support. A drainage engineer or procurement lead can then select the range that fits the site and supply route.

Can UK buyers order crates directly from an overseas manufacturer?

Yes, but direct ordering needs a clear import and delivery plan. Confirm the Incoterm, port, container quantity, unloading, import clearance, damage process and who provides installation support. Direct supply may suit a planned container programme, while a local stockist may fit a small or urgent order. Do not assume either route is cheaper until freight, duty, handling and site timing are written into the comparison.

Choose a range before requesting a price

A good enquiry starts with a named range and a short project brief. Include the country and delivery point, infiltration or attenuation purpose, surface use, approximate array dimensions, required inspection route, preferred pipe sizes, wrap requirement, unloading constraints and the documents needed for approval. If you are comparing overseas direct supply with a UK distributor, ask both sides to state the same delivery and installation boundary.

For direct sourcing, check the StormTank soakaway crate range and submit model, accessory, and delivery questions together. The product page is the starting point for a quotation, not a surrogate for the project-specific design and installation documents.

References & sources

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Stormwater project support

From specification to site-ready storage

Storm Manage supplies modular underground stormwater management solutions for B2B projects: soakaway crates, attenuation tanks, detention systems, OSD tanks and rainwater-harvesting systems.

01
Storage, infiltration and detention routes aligned to the project brief.
02
Practical support for footprint, cover, loading and installation decisions.