DOD AirfieldDrainage Solutions

DOD airfield drainage must comply with both FAA and military specifications. UFC 3-260-01 covers airfield and heliport planning and design. UFC 3-535-01 addresses airfield lighting integration. FAA AC 150/5320-5D provides surface drainage design guidance. MIL-STD-3007 covers standard practice for unified facilities criteria. These standards define load ratings, FOD prevention, and material requirements for military airfield applications.

Military runway drainage typically requires Class F ratings (400,000+ lbs) to accommodate heavy military aircraft. The C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster, and similar heavy lifters exceed commercial aircraft weights. Fighter aircraft have concentrated gear loads that also require maximum ratings. All grates, channels, frames, and catch basin components in runway and taxiway areas must be rated for expected aircraft loads per UFC 3-260-01.

Military airfields have stricter FOD (Foreign Object Debris) requirements due to jet engine sensitivity and operational readiness needs. All grate openings must prevent debris that could damage turbine engines—typically ½-inch maximum slot width perpendicular to traffic. Grates must be flush-mounted and locked against jet blast displacement. Fighter aircraft are particularly vulnerable to FOD damage, making prevention critical for mission readiness.

JP-8 is the primary military jet fuel and requires compatible drainage materials. HDPE (NDS Dura Slope) provides excellent JP-8 resistance. Polymer concrete (ACO systems) resists fuel with proper sealants. 316 stainless steel offers superior chemical resistance. Ductile iron requires fuel-resistant coatings. Standard concrete and PVC degrade with prolonged fuel exposure and should be avoided in fuel-exposed areas.

Military airfields use ethylene glycol and propylene glycol de-icing fluids similar to commercial airports. Drainage must handle these chemicals without degradation. Environmental regulations often require collection and treatment of de-icing runoff. UFC 3-260-01 addresses de-icing operations. First-flush diversion systems can capture concentrated de-icing fluid for treatment while allowing clean stormwater to discharge.

Military hangars require drainage for aircraft washing, maintenance spills, and fire suppression water. Stainless steel trench drains resist JP-8 and hydraulic fluids. Floor drains should connect to oil-water separators before discharge. Hangar door thresholds need high-capacity slot drains for storm intrusion. Class C-D ratings typically suffice inside hangars, with higher ratings for vehicle doors. AFFF firefighting foam containment may be required.

Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) used for firefighting contains PFAS compounds requiring special handling. New DOD policy limits AFFF use and requires containment of releases. Drainage in aircraft rescue firefighting (ARFF) areas should enable foam collection. Wash rack drainage where AFFF-contaminated vehicles are cleaned needs separation. UFC 4-211-01 covers fire suppression requirements including AFFF handling.

Military apron sizing follows UFC 3-260-01 criteria for design storms and drainage calculations. Large military aircraft create significant displacement during ground operations. Aprons may span 500,000+ square feet requiring coordinated drainage systems. Typical design uses 10-year, 24-hour storm events. High-capacity trench drains (12"+) or closely-spaced catch basins intercept runoff. Hydraulic calculations must account for concentrated aircraft traffic patterns.

Military airfield drainage requires security-grade installations. All grates must be locked with tamper-resistant hardware. Drainage cannot provide cover or concealment for intrusion. Large culverts and tunnels may require grating or monitoring. Perimeter drainage must not compromise base security or fencing. Entry control point drainage integrates with vehicle barriers. Coordinate with installation security office during design.

Military airfields must support rapid repair for operational continuity after damage. Specify modular drainage with readily available replacement parts. Maintain on-base inventory of spare grates and channel sections. Use bolted connections rather than field-welded systems. Pre-position repair materials at strategic locations. Document drainage locations for rapid damage assessment and repair. Consider expedient repair methods per MIL-STD-3007.