I’m the strongest guy at UltraTech. Possibly the strongest guy in the stormwater industry… maybe the world. I’m also the most humble, but that’s not important right now. The point (oh yes, there IS a point) is that as strong as I am, I still struggle trying to lift grates out of catch basins when we do photo shoots. I have to enlist the help of a lesser co-worker (have I mentioned how humble I am?). But even with two, it’s no easy task.
So it’s perfectly understandable when end-users of stormwater management and construction compliance products are attracted to1 products that don’t require lifting the grate. Enter the Ultra-Inlet Guard.
The Ultra-Inlet Guard and Inlet Guard Plus use rare Earth magnets to secure the units to the grating. These heavy-duty, super-strong magnets are sewn into the corners and (for larger units) the outer edges of the Inlet Guard.
So installation is as simple as placing the unit on top of the drain and making sure the magnets and edges are properly lined up. If I were a marketing guy2, I’d say something like, “Installs in seconds!”
The geotextile material filters out sediment, silt and sand and keeps it out of the stormwater system. And if that wasn’t enough, it will also absorb hydrocarbons.
The “Plus” Models are NOT for bigger drains like you might think. That would be our “full-figured” model… available next Spring.3 No, the “Plus” indicates models with a built-in overflow port. See the picture down below? That donut looking thing in the middle is the overflow port.
If the unit is not properly maintained or, for some other reason, gets “blinded over” with sediment, untreated water can flow into the drain through the overflow port. While not ideal, many users prefer this over creating a flooding or ponding situation in the street.
Intrigued? Of course you are. And you’re no doubt thinking, “I have been living an incomplete life without this knowledge! I MUST do a pilgrimage to the place where Inlet Guards are made!” To which I would say… in the most respectful way possible… “Slow your roll cowperson!”4 First, pilgrimage reservations are completely booked up and second, to truly reach full enlightment, you must first sell a truckload of Inlet Guards. Then, and only then, can you reach the pinnacle of stormwater guru-ness. At which point, you can retire and spend the rest of your days sitting at the feet of David Kelley5 who, if you’re lucky, will teach you how to “become one” with the Inlet Guard. A truckload is a big order, to be sure. But hey, those are the rules. I didn’t make ’em.6
Ok, your mind is in the gutter now. Please try and keep it there. See ya next week!
- Not in a romantic way… necessarily.
- Marketing Director is several levels BELOW Marketing Guy. I’ve got goals though.
- Not really.
- #inclusivity
- The FIRST and GREATEST stormwater guru and UltraTech’s Stormwater Business Development Director
- Maybe I did. But they’re STILL the rules!
