W Exit 1 PDF

Construction Exits – Wash bays
SEDIMENT CONTROL TECHNIQUE
Type 1 System Sheet Flow Sandy Soils ✔

Type 2 System Concentrated Flow Clayey Soils ✔
Type 3 System Supplementary Trap ✔ Dispersive Soils ✔
Symbol
Photo 1 – Automated wash bay located on Photo 2 – Temporary wash bay located on
a land fill site a road construction project
Key Principles
1. The purpose of a wash bay or vehicle washing system may not be restricted to just
sediment control, but can include dust, pollution and weed (seed) control.
2. The primary function of the wash bay or vehicle washing system may be different on
construction sites as opposed to landfill or mine sites.
3. The critical design parameter is either the length of the wash bay, or the contact time of the
vehicle washing system (e.g. jet spray units).
4. Wash bays are primarily used on long-term construction sites, and sites containing very
clayey soils.
Design Information
In confined sites, slow-speed wash bays can be formed (Figure 1); however, wherever practical,
drive-through wash bays should be designed with sufficient length to allow the wheels to be
washed through at least one complete rotation and preferably more.
A vibration grid may need to be incorporated into the wash bay (Figure 2) to allow the unit to be
drained and operated in a dry condition during extended periods of dry weather. It is noted that
frequent use of a ‘wet’ wash bay during dry weather conditions can result in sediment-laden wet
tracks extending from the wash bay into the public streets.
Numerous commercial (hire or purchase) automated vehicle washing systems exist. These units
can typically handle around 500 vehicles passes per day.
An example of the water supply and power requirements of long-term vehicle washing system
may be given by the Cooljarloo mine site WA, which used 30L/s at 700kPa delivered through 85
water jets mounted on 7 stations. Power supply consisted of 380V/415V, 3-phase, 100A.
© Catchments & Creeks Pty Ltd Version 2 - April 2010 Page 1

A stop sign or other suitable speed control system is required prior to low-speed wash bays to
reduce splash and truck damage.
Figure 1 – Example of a low speed vehicle wash bay
Figure 2 – High traffic volume wash bay with vibration grid sump pit for use during
extended periods of dry weather
Photo 3 – Low-speed wash bay Photo 4 – Speed control sign
Photo 5 – Vibration grids are usually Photo 6 – Wash bay operating as a dry
located prior to a wash bay vibration grid during dry weather

All stabilised construction exits require regular maintenance, including sediment removal, and
rock replacement.
Photo 7 – Heavy sediment build-up on a Photo 8 – Dividing site entry and exit
construction exit lanes can result in vehicles bypassing the
construction exit
Description
Sediment trapping efficiency is generally
‘Construction exit’ is a general term related to the soil type and weather
referring to rock pads, vibration grids and conditions.
wash bays.
Advantages
There are basically three types of wash
bays: Numerous commercial (hire or purchase)
automated vehicle washing systems exist.
• Concrete-lined ponds of sufficient
length to allow at least one rotation of Can greatly reduce community complaints
the truck wheels. regarding the tracking of sediment onto
public roads.
• Manually operated vehicle-washing
areas where vehicles are hosed down Disadvantages
while at rest on a hard surface.
Requires regular maintenance, including
• Automatic vehicle washing systems that de-silting the wash bay, and placement of
clean the trucks with water jets. rock (between the wash bay and sealed
roadway).
Purpose
The basic aim of a wash bay is to prevent Special Requirements
sediment being tracked onto public roads, Pond construction needs to be of concrete
but other objective could include dust, or other suitable non-erodible material.
pollution and weed (seed) control.
Overflows and stormwater runoff from the
Vehicle washing systems are used to wash bay should be directed to a suitable
remove sediment from both the vehicle sediment trap. The type of sediment trap
body and tyres. being appropriate for the catchment area
Primarily used on long-term construction and erosion hazard.
sites and sites containing very clayey soils. High volume, vehicle-washing systems
Automated vehicle washing systems can generally require an automated water
also be used to control the spread of soil- clarification system such as a stilling
bound bio-hazards (e.g. Phytoffera chamber or centrifuge.
organisms) into and out of mine sites.
Location
Limitations Wash bays should be set back from the
A ‘supplementary’ sediment trap typically of public roadway to reduce water tracking
low sediment trapping efficiency. onto the road.
Efficiency is highly variable and depends on The number of site exit points should be
the design of the wash bay. minimised, preferably to one.

Site Inspection Maintenance
• Check for excessive sedimentation on 1. Inspect wash bays prior to forecast rain,
the rock-lined exit pad. daily during extended periods of rainfall,
after significant runoff-producing
• Check for sediment and/or water being rainfall, or otherwise at fortnightly
tacked onto the road. intervals.
• Ensure overflows are directed to a 2. If sand, soil, sediment or mud is tracked
suitable sediment trap. or washed onto the adjacent sealed
roadway, then such material must be
Installation physically removed, first using a
1. Refer to approved plans for location square-edged shovel, and then a stiff-
and dimensional details. If there are bristled broom, and then by a
questions or problems with the location, mechanical vacuum unit, if available.
dimensions, or method of installation, 3. If necessary for safety reasons, the
contact the engineer or responsible on- roadway shall only be washed clean
site officer for assistance. after all reasonable efforts have been
2. Clear the location of the wash bay, taken to shovel and sweep the material
removing stumps, roots and other from the roadway.
vegetation to provide a firm foundation. 4. When the voids between the rock
Clear sufficient width to allow passage becomes filled with material and the
of large vehicles, but clear only that effectiveness of the attached rock pad
necessary for the exit. Do not clear is reduced to a point where sediment is
adjacent areas until the required being tracked off the site, a new
erosion and sediment control devices 100mm layer of rock must be added
are in place. and/or the rock pad must be extended.
3. Grade the location of the wash bay so 5. Ensure any associated drainage control
that runoff from the unit will not flow into measures are maintained in
the street, but will flow towards an accordance with their desired
appropriate sediment-trapping device. operational condition.
4. Place and compact a 150mm thick 6. Dispose of sediment and debris in a
layer of minimum 50mm rock over the manner that will not create an erosion
roadway between the wash bay and the or pollution hazard.
sealed street to prevent tyres from
picking up more soil after they have Removal
been cleaned.
1. The wash bay should be removed only
5. Flare the end of the attached rock pad after it is no longer needed as a
where it meets the pavement so that sediment control device.
the wheels of turning vehicles do not
travel over unprotected soil. 2. Remove materials and collected
sediment and dispose of in a suitable
6. If the footpath is open to pedestrian manner that will not cause an erosion
movement, then cover the coarse rock or pollution hazard.
with fine aggregate or gravel, or
otherwise take whatever measures are 3. Re-grade and stabilise the disturbed
needed to make the area safe. ground as necessary to minimise the
erosion hazard.
7. If a mechanical vehicle-washing system
is installed, provide a suitable source of
power and water supply.
8. If the vehicles are to be washed by
manual hosing, then ensure a hose
(long enough to reach around any
vehicle leaving the site) is connected a
suitable pressurised water source.

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Construction Exits – Wash bays

SEDIMENT CONTROL TECHNIQUE

Type 1 System Sheet Flow Sandy Soils ✔

© Catchments & Creeks Pty Ltd Version 2 - April 2010 Page 1

Figure 1 – Example of a low speed vehicle wash bay

Photo 3 – Low-speed wash bay Photo 4 – Speed control sign

© Catchments & Creeks Pty Ltd Version 2 - April 2010 Page 2

© Catchments & Creeks Pty Ltd Version 2 - April 2010 Page 3

© Catchments & Creeks Pty Ltd Version 2 - April 2010 Page 4

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