FAQ | Precast Concrete Products

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What is precast concrete?

Precast concrete is a construction product produced by casting concrete in a reusable mold or “form” which is then cured in a controlled environment, transported to the construction site and lifted into place. In contrast, standard concrete is poured into site-specific forms and cured on site in varied weather environments.

What accreditations does your plant conform to?

Canadian Standards Association CSA A257 for circular pipe and maintenance holes, A23.4-16 for rectangular pipes and maintenance holes.
Canadian Precast Concrete Quality Assurance (CPCQA) for catch basins, circular pipe and maintenance holes and elliptical pipe.
BNQ (Bureau de Normalisation du Quebec) 2622-126 for round pipe from 300 to 1800mm in diameter.

What provincial standards do your products conform to?

Ontario Provincial Standard Specifications
OPSS 1351 – Maintenance holes, catch basins, ditch inlets and valve chambers
OPSS 1820 – Circular pipe
OPSS 1821 – Box culverts

Most municipal standards refer to provincial standard specifications (OPSS’s) or drawings (OPSD’s). The provincial standards also include references to CSA standards.

Custom structures (those larger than specified in the standards mentioned above) are designed according to the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (CHBDC).

How does one arrange for a plant tour?

Plant tours are available year-round for small groups, or large delegations. Contact info@mconproducts.com or the Canadian Concrete Pipe and Precast Association to arrange for a tour and lunch and learn.

Why would a contractor use concrete pipe instead of a composite pipe that is easier to install?

Concrete pipe is a trusted and proven product for buried infrastructure, especially in applications where strength & durability are critical factors.

What are the maximum burial depths for each class of concrete pipe?

The maximum depth of bury for concrete pipe depends on the strength class, the amount of bedding material, and the type of installation (in a trench or in an embankment). Charts summarizing the maximum depths of cover over the pipe (by class and bedding) are given in OPSD 807.010 for trench installations and OPSD 807.030 for embankment installations.

How long does precast concrete pipe last?

Concrete pipe lasts between 50 to 75 years. In many cases it can last longer than 100 years.

Are the concrete joints of your products compatible with joints from other suppliers of the same products?

No, most of the time they are not. Please confirm with our engineering staff prior to any installations.

What are the different types of culverts?

The different types of culverts we manufacture are pipe (single or multiple), box culvert, culverts for bridges, and three-sided box culverts.

What are the advantages for using precast for sewers as opposed to cast in place?

Precast products are always produced in a controlled setting to tight standards which means that items can be designed more efficiently. For example, our stronger concrete can mean less reinforcing and thinner walls/slabs than items that are cast-in-place against earth out in the elements.

Do precast concrete pipes qualify for LEED credits?

Yes, there are many advantages to using precast for your project to qualify for LEED credits. The main advantages for using precast concrete structures are known for durability and long service life, resulting in a decrease of the environmental impacts associated with reconstruction, repair and maintenance. Precast structures often demonstrate the lowest life cycle impacts.

Can precast sewers be customized for commercial development projects?

Precast sewers can be customized to meet any commercial development projects requirements. We do however carry several stock configurations that are available immediately upon requirement. There are 23 standard sizes of concrete pipe ranging from 300 to 3000mm in diameter that are readily available for use in sewers. These can be modified to include tees and/or bends. Custom diameters of round pipe are not available. There are also nine standard sizes of box culverts from 1800x900mm to 3000x2400mm that can be used as sewers. However, custom sizes are possible in box culverts. The custom culverts are governed only by the weight and dimensional limitations placed on the transportation of the precast piece to site.

Are precast concrete pipes better for the environment?

With a lifecycle of 50+ years precast concrete pipes are better for the environment. They protect drinking water, drainage and sanitation systems. By containment, reduces risk of flooding, leaching of harmful chemicals and erosion. Natural resources are used in the production of concrete and steel reinforcement is sourced from steel scrap. Precast concrete is manufactured in a controlled environment efficiencies and waste are improved every year. Precast concrete is resilient to the elements and climate change.