Stabilized Construction Exits – The Right Way
One of the most important tools in preventing stormwater pollution from a construction site is the Stabilized Construction Exit (SCE). Also referred as – Stabilized Construction Access, Construction Exit, Exit, Rock Exit, etc. These can be made of various materials, however, the majority are done with rock. The specification for a rock exit is very specific. This type of BMP, if not done per spec and not maintained regularly, is one of the major citizen complaints that initiates a visit by a city or MS4 inspector. This ultimately could lead to violation of compliance and costly fines. The spec is as follows:
Pertinent Construction Notes to a Rock Exit:
- Length shall not be less than 50 feet.
- Thickness shall not be less than 8 inches.
- Width shall not be less than the full width of all points of ingress or egress. (CES always does 25 feet wide unless told or instructed otherwise).
- Stabilized construction exits shall be maintained free of sediment for the duration of the project (this to prevent tracking on the street)
When installed per spec, the amount of rock laid down typically equals 45 tons (3 tandem truck loads). 25 feet wide X 50 feet long with a geotextile fabric the full width and length at 8 inches deep. We recommend using 3×5 bull rock. One, for its durability and two, the size allows a “gyration” to occur that loosens the sediment from the trucks tires in order that they do not leave dirt “tracking” on the roadway.
Maintaining a construction exit consist of “turning” the rock and or simply adding additional rock which we call a refresh. Either one will be required once the rock exit has accumulated a substantial amount of sediment that causes tracking to occur onto the street as depicted above.
If your site does not meet the spec and or the amount of rock is minimal, odds are your site might be visited or you may need additional rock more often. Thus increasing what you thought was a cheaper price for an exit.
Ask the questions – what size will my SCE be? What size rock do you use? How much rock will you lay down? Be careful of someone giving square yardage, this can be deceiving. How deep will the SCE be and do you lay a fabric down first? So goes the saying, Buyer Be Ware.
If you have any questions regarding Stabilized Construction Exits or requirements for staying in compliance, contact us. We are here to help.
