What is the minimum allowed thickness of the concrete installed to encase a trench drain?

The minimum allowed thickness of the concrete installed to encase a trench drain is four inches. This thickness is generally specified to ensure that the trench drain is adequately supported and protected from potential damage due to load-bearing stresses, which may occur from traffic or other types of loads above the drain. A concrete thickness of four inches provides sufficient structural integrity while also meeting industry standards for drainage systems.

Thinner concrete encasements could lead to issues such as cracking or failure under stress, compromising the functionality of the trench drain and leading to costly repairs or replacements. While thicker encasement options exist, they are typically not necessary for standard installations, making four inches the practical and code-compliant minimum.