Hydro-Brake Optimum for top Vortex Flow Controls

The Hydro-Brake Optimum dispenses with the need to choose from a range of sizes and types and instead offers built-in flexibility to size each unit for absolute fit.

From now on, one type of Hydro-Brake, the Hydro-Brake Optimum, will perfectly balance flow rates and surface water storage requirements to suit each drainage project without approximation.

Hydro’s existing range of Hydro-Brake Flow Controls already provides significant savings in surface water storage over conventional flow controls.

Now the Hydro-Brake Optimum offers up to a further 15% saving when compared to other vortex flow control devices.

By saving on surface water storage, Hydro-Brake Optimum therefore promises outstanding savings in excavation costs and frees up more land for building to maximise the developers’ Return on Investment.

’Hydro International first pioneered vortex flow controls in the 1980s and has been advancing the technology ever since,’ said Alex Stephenson, Director of Hydro’s UK Stormwater Division.

’It’s no secret that other products on the market are based on Hydro technology.

With Hydro-Brake Optimum we have set the next generation performance standard.

’In future it will be particularly important for designers and contractors to realise that there is no direct equivalent to the new Hydro-Brake Optimum.

It can be tempting for a contractor to try to change from the specified flow control, but in the case of Hydro-Brake Optimum this would result in a change of the engineered performance and could render the designer or contractor liable for a design failure’.

The ultimate flexibility in Hydro-Brake Optimum unit sizing enables fine-tuning according to the site priorities.

For example, it may be important to maximise hydraulic performance or to choose a more compact design to account for site constraints such as pipe diameter or for chamber retrofit.

New adjustable inlet plates are available to provide up to 20 per cent alteration in the forward flow rate, to provide clients with the option of future-proofing against climate change or site-modifications.

The new Hydro-Brake Optimum also offers up to 20 per cent larger clearances than other vortex flow controls leading to a reduced risk of blockage.

Manufactured out of high grade Stainless Steel, Hydro-Brake Optimum is able to withstand the forces of even the most intense storm event without deforming.

Hydro has increased the range of time-saving installation options including, lugs, push-fit spigots, flat or curved mounting plates, penstock or slide mounts and removable units.

The Hydro-Brake Optimum is also available pre-fitted to a purpose-built precast reinforced concrete chamber.

Designing the ’optimum’ Hydro-Brake is made possible with the help of Hydro’s unrivalled technical support services.

Via a dedicated Hotline, Hydro International’s full-time design team are available to provide detailed technical support during both design and installation.

Hydro-Brake Optimum has received independent accreditation for its performance and design from both the BBA and WRc.

Backed by Hydro’s ongoing commitment to technological development and RandD, the new Hydro-Brake Optimum will help designers and specifiers to meet the requirements of the proposed new National SuDS Standards in England and Wales, as well as corresponding regulatory requirements in Scotland and Ireland.