FAQ
Below are our most Frequently Asked Questions about Debris Free's Drift Management Systems:
- Are Debris Free products environmentally friendly?
- Can FEMA grants help pay for our Debris Free systems?
- What size of drift can Debris Free systems handle?
- What maintenance is required?
- How do you determine whether you need a Bridgeshark or a MOAB?
- Will Debris Free products work on box culverts?
- What makes the Bridgeshark and MOAB rotate?
- Is any lubrication required on the bearings or bushings?
- What makes up the Bridgeshark and MOAB?
- Will systems handle skewed approaches?
- How can a pile be driven into rock?
- Do the turbines change elevation during flood stage?
- When the turbine floats up does the pile become fouled beneath the turbine?
- What creates the negative floatation turbine?
- Will Debris Free systems work on short spans?
Q. Are Debris Free products environmentally friendly?
A. Yes! Click here to learn how. <top>
Q. Can FEMA grants help pay for our Debris Free systems?
A. Yes- if your bridge lies within a federally-declared disaster area, funding is available from FEMA. Visit our resources page to find links to FEMA websites, or contact a Debris Free Project Manager to learn more. <top>
Q. What size of drift can Debris Free systems handle?
A. The Bridgeshark handles small to medium-sized drift, and the MOAB handles medium to large drift. <top>
Q. What maintenance is required?
A. Some preventative maintenance is required. Because sometimes Mother Nature sends us drift that is much too large for even the largest system, proper maintenance requires checking periodically after high water for excess debris. <top>
Q. How do you determine whether you need a Bridgeshark or a MOAB?
A. We review the site data sheet information and will recommend the system that will be best suited for your structure based on a variety of inputs. <top>
Q. Will Debris Free products work on box culverts?
A. Yes, our systems may be applied on the center diaphragm wall or abutment. <top>
Q. What makes the Bridgeshark and MOAB rotate?
A. The dynamic fin configuration uses water velocity to propel our units and pass problems downstream. <top>
Q. Is any lubrication required on the bearings or bushings?
A. No, the bushings are self-lubricating polyethylene. <top>
Q. What makes up the Bridgeshark and MOAB?
A. Durable rotationally molded cross-linked polyethylene. <top>
Q. Will systems handle skewed approaches?
A. Yes, the pile application can be placed to accommodate and correct even the worst-case skewed approaches. The cable system bracket also can be engineered and fabricated to meet the skewed approach but is limited to the pier attachment. <top>
Q. How can a pile be driven into rock?
A. A hole can be drilled or cored. A stub support of either railroad rail or H-pile can then be driven into the hole. A round pile is then sleeved over the stub support shaft and the pile is then backfilled with concrete. <top>
Q. Do the turbines change elevation during flood stage?
A. Units are foam filled on the upper 50% and will float up and down on the pile during high-water events. <top>
Q. When the turbine floats up does the cable or pile become fouled beneath the turbine?
A. On occasion, but not often. To address the problem of sub-surface drift we have designed a negative floatation turbine that will either remain at the bottom of the pile or cable and track up below the positive floatation turbine. <top>
Q. What creates the negative floatation turbine?
A. Water is used to fill the unit and weigh it down enough to be fully submerged. <top>
Q. Will Debris Free systems work on short spans?
A. Yes, we are currently preparing to install remote pile applications. This is part of our Drift Training Program. With the system upstream from the structure we have the capability to turn the drift and re-direct it through the structure. <top>
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