Safety from the Ground Up: Lessons from Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center on Trench Drainage Systems
By Robert DiPlacido, Senior Product Manager, Watts Water Technologies
A Common Challenge
McCormick Place – the largest convention center in North America, located in Chicago – was facing infrastructure issues in its parking deck after 50 years of operation. The culprit? Its trench drainage system.
Damaged trench drainage systems can leave a facility susceptible to flooding and unable to withstand heavy rains. While drainage may not be the first building system that comes to mind when considering convention center renovations, it’s a critical component that ensures vehicles can safely enter and exit without hydroplaning or getting stuck.
A quick and common trench fix is using durable steel plates to cover open gaps, which in theory, should enable vehicles to cross safely. But long term, this proved ineffective for the McCormick Place plumbing team, as the plates did not fix the damage underneath. Recognizing the responsibility of keeping event attendees safe from entry to exit, the McCormick Place plumbing team selected a Dead Level modular trench drain known for ease of installation, stability, and durability.
Key Considerations
Ease of installation was a primary consideration for the plumbing team when selecting the new drainage system. Many trench drains on the market require modification and field cutting to achieve a proper fit. Therefore, modular systems that can be retrofitted without extra cutting are ideal, especially for high-occupancy facilities like McCormick Place whose maintenance teams have limited time for construction.
Trench drains designed for easy installation allow level runs. When planning a trench drain installation, it’s important to remember that the concrete pour around it can shift the trench’s positioning. A unique characteristic of the Watts Dead Level drainage system is its patented frame-anchored design which locks the channel in place, preventing pinching, twisting, or floating when concrete is poured. The channel also has an integrated sloped design that helps direct water flow, minimizing standing water and reducing the risk of flooding and hydroplaning. In addition, the flat-bottom design promotes efficient drainage by enabling self-cleaning and preventing debris buildup.
With heavy vehicles constantly driving and stopping on drains, durability was important to the McCormick Place plumbing team. When selecting a new drainage system, convention center facilities teams should look for solutions made of durable materials like ductile iron that can withstand the volume.
Setting Your Facility Up for Success
Finding a trusted partner that can review your facility’s needs through on-site assessment and measurement is critical to installing a new drain. Following the success of the Watts Dead Level trench installation at McCormick Place, the plumbing team plans to replace all the drains in phases with the Dead Level. The project is being scheduled around the center’s busy event calendar, ensuring that operations continue without interruption.
The McCormick Place drainage project shows the value of paying attention to the systems people rarely think about but rely on every day.
Bob DiPlacido
Bob DiPlacido is a Senior Product Manager at Watts Water Technology leading the drainage platform across both Watts and Josam. In his current role at Watts, he is focused on market evaluation and expansion, product lifecycle management, and integration of key innovations to drive efficiencies and labor-saving advantages. He has spent 15+ years in the commercial drainage industry with experience in R&D, customer experience, and product management.
