headwalls/silt traps

installation guide

This guide is intended for use by persons responsible for the installation
of the Headwalls & Silt Traps manufactured by FP McCann

1.0 Introduction
Up to & including Max Pipe Approx.
Headwall Range
Pipe Sizes O.D. mm Weight (Kg)
This document describes the recommended procedure for
the installation of FP McCann Headwalls – the reinforced HW Large 200 900 1080 4105
Precast Concrete Headwall unit used in drainage outfalls.
HW Large 100 900 1080 2766
The Precast Concrete Headwall is available in 3 sizes;
HW Medium 150 450 590 1640
small, medium and large. Table 1 below gives a summary
of each size available. (See Appendix A for full headwall HW Medium 100 450 590 1235
dimensions). Apron or flat gratings are also available for
HW Small 150 300 430 1213
headwalls and are provided by FP McCann.
HW Small 100 300 430 1090

2.0 Disclaimer
This document is produced by FP McCann as a ‘recommended guideline document to the industry’.

Its purpose is to aid contractors in the installation of the FP McCann Precast Concrete Headwall. It is the responsibility of
the contractor to ensure that the Precast Concrete Headwall is carried out in accordance with the design specifications for the site.

It is the responsibility of the contractor to install the Precast Concrete Headwall safely in accordance with site conditions.

3.0 Receipt and Handling of Headwalls on Site

1. Time and place of off-loading should be agreed before units arrive at site. For safety, all units are delivered in the upright position as
installed. The units when off-loaded should be placed on 250mm skids as delivered and off-loaded to ensure no damage to the toe
end. Units must be stored individually and not stacked.
2. Off-loading should take place at the nearest hard standing area to the point of installation.
3. Off-loading must be carried out using appropriate lifting equipment. It is recommended that telescopic handlers or equivalent with
forklift toes are used to off-load on site; avoiding the necessity for operatives having to climb onto the trailer. Each Headwall section
is supplied with 3 lifting anchors cast into the reinforcing in the floor and wall of the unit. Lifting loops are attached to these anchors
and 3 legged adjustable chains (1 leg shortened) are used to transport on site, fix into position and used for jointing both halves.
4. Carefully inspect units during off-loading to verify that products are undamaged and comply with order placed. Two types of check
are required:

Visual: Inspect the Headwall for any sign of damage, including cracked or chipped concrete, or damage that could affect the performance.

fpmccann.co.uk
headwalls / silt traps
installation guide

Design: Check that the item received is the one ordered. Headwalls are a
standard FP McCann product and are labelled with the following information:
a. Headwall Size
b. Pipe Type
c. Pipe Diameter
d. Production date
e. Site / Customer Ref
f. Customer Order No. (if applicable)

5. All FP McCann products are stamped with the production date (this is a quality control procedure).
6. Any Headwalls/Silt Traps rejected should be labelled and stored separately with the discrepancies for each noted on the
delivery docket and reported for further action.

4.0 Installation of Precast Concrete Headwalls and Silt-Traps

The Headwall is manufactured as a monolithic precast unit. FP McCann operates a Quality Management System accredited to ISO
9001:2008 with all constituent products subject to regular quality inspection. The headwalls are manufactured to structural classes
XD2 and XD3/4 depending on actual unit and use required.

1. Cut and install the last section of pipe that the headwall will cover. Ensure that the pipe is fully fitted leaving either the first (or
last) section of pipe free from backfill to attach to the headwall.
2. Excavate to formation level, place and compact a 300mm bed of 50mm clean drainage stone or similar free drainage
aggregate.
3. Check that the correct Headwall has been brought to the installation point. Cross reference and check pipe connection
diameter to that of the Headwall. The movement of the Headwall on site must be undertaken in a manner that is safe and will
not cause any damage to the unit in any way – the use of the cast in lifting anchors fitted with loops and connected to equal
length 3 legged chains is recommended.
4. Place the Headwall unit onto the bedded surface. It is essential that the Headwall is positioned in the centre of the hole.
Placing a shim at the bottom of the pipe to centre in position is recommended.
5. Install the headwall onto the end of the pipeline.
6. Using the appropriate grout or an epoxy resin fill in the void between the reinforced concrete headwall and the pipe. This will
ensure a firm fit. Backfill the pipe section between the headwall and embankment. It is recommended that 300mm surround
of 50mm or similar free drainage aggregate is used to surround the headwall to ensure good groundwater drainage.

3.0 Receipt and Handling of Easi-Headwalls on Site

1. Time and place of off-loading should be agreed before units arrive at site. For safety, all units are delivered in the upright
position as installed. The units when off-loaded should be placed on 150mm skids as delivered and off-loaded to ensure no
damage to the toe end. Units must be stored individually and not stacked.
2. Off-loading should take place at the nearest hard standing area to the point of installation.
3. Off-loading must be carried out using appropriate lifting equipment. It is recommended that telescopic handlers or equivalent
with forklift toes are used to off-load on site; avoiding the necessity for operatives having to climb onto the trailer. Headwalls
are also supplied with 3 lifting anchors cast into the reinforcing in the floor of the unit. Lifting loops are attached to these
anchors and standard 3 legged chains are used to transport on site and fix into position.
4. Carefully inspect units during off-loading to verify that products are undamaged and comply with order placed. Two types of
check are required:

Visual: Inspect the Headwall for any sign of damage, including cracked or chipped concrete, or damage that could affect the performance.
headwalls / silt traps
installation guide

Design: Check that the item received is the one ordered. Headwalls are a
standard FP McCann product and are labelled with the following information:
a. Headwall Size
b. Headwall Wall thickness
c. Pipe Type and Diameter
d. Pipe Diameter
e. Production date
f. Site / Customer Ref
g. Customer Order No. (if applicable)

5. All FP McCann products are stamped with the production date (this is a quality control procedure).
6. Any Headwalls / Silt-traps rejected should be labelled and stored separately with the discrepancies for each noted on the delivery
docket and reported for further action.

4.0 Installation of Precast Concrete Headwalls and Silt-Traps

The Headwall is manufactured as a monolithic precast unit. FP McCann operates a Quality Management System accredited to ISO
9001:2008 with all constituent products subject to regular quality inspection. The headwalls are manufactured to structural classes XD2 and
XD3/4 depending on actual unit and use required.
1. Cut and install the last section of pipe that the headwall will cover. Ensure that the pipe is fully fitted leaving either the first (or last)
section of pipe free from backfill to attach to the headwall.
2. Excavate to formation level, place and compact a 300mm bed of 50mm clean drainage stone or similar free drainage aggregate.
3. Check that the correct Headwall has been brought to the installation point. Cross reference and check pipe connection diameter to
that of the Headwall. The movement of the Headwall on site must be undertaken in a manner that is safe and will not cause any
damage to the unit in any way – the use of the cast in lifting anchors fitted with loops and connected to equal length 3 legged chains is
recommended.
4. Place the Headwall unit onto the bedded surface. It is essential that the Headwall is positioned in the centre of the hole. Placing a
shim at the bottom of the pipe to centre in position is recommended.
5. Install the headwall onto the end of the pipeline.
6. Using the appropriate grout or an epoxy resin fill in the void between the reinforced concrete headwall and the pipe. This will ensure a
firm fit. Backfill the pipe section between the headwall and embankment. It is recommended that 300mm surround of 50mm or similar
free drainage aggregate is used to surround the headwall to ensure good groundwater drainage.

5.0 Bespoke Solutions

FP McCann understands that situations will arise when our standard Headwall will not meet the specific design requirements of a
particular contract and if so we will adapt out standard Headwall to best suit your requirements.

Where headwalls are installed in poor ground conditions there may be a need for an additional concrete toe to reduce the effect of
sliding. Please use the figures below indicating the maximum sliding force resisted by the units as a guide only.

o Small Headwall – 11.79 KN /unit

Appendix A

Back wall Front wall Width at back Width at front Headwall Standard Wall Floor Approx.
Headwall Max Pipe O.D.
height Thickness Weight (Kg)
Accomodates Pipe Sizes height wall (internal) wall (internal) Length (mm) Invert level Thickness
Range mm (mm)
(external) mm (external) mm mm mm (Variable) (mm)

HW Large 200 900, 825, 750, 675, 600, 525 1080 1420 500 1220 1950 2150 100 200 162 4105

HW Large 100 900, 825, 750, 675, 600, 525 1080 1420 500 1220 1950 2050 100 100 162 2766

HWMedium 150 450, 375, 300 590 1150 500 700 1550 1370 100 150 162 1640

HW Medium 100 450, 375, 300 590 1150 500 700 1550 1320 100 100 162 1235

HW Small 150 300, 225, 160 430 810 300 520 1300 1320 100 150 162 1213

HW Small 100 300, 225, 160 430 810 300 520 1300 1320 100 100 162 1090

Note:
Weir walls and other special finishes can be added to any of the headwalls as part of a bespoke design package.
Headwalls are available with handrails and precast steps