Preparing a kennel drainage design brief

Key facts

Design issue

Cleaning and drainage are linked in the code [source]

Define the drainage problem

Victoria’s boarding code links impervious floors with cleaning and drainage. That provides a reason to include drainage in the original facility brief, while local wastewater and planning conditions still need separate checking. Do not copy a slope or drain layout from another property without understanding the site, the facility’s use and the relevant professional requirements.

Map how the space will be used

Draw a simple plan showing dog accommodation, sleeping areas, cleaning access, taps, storage and proposed drainage points. Mark which surfaces will become wet during normal cleaning and where people will stand while moving equipment. This drawing is a communication tool for the designer: it lets the owner explain the intended workflow before someone supplies a generic run of channel drain.

Ask about cleaning and maintenance access

Have the contractor explain how covers are removed, where debris is collected and which components need routine attention. Ask whether maintenance can be performed without dismantling permanent kennel fittings. Record who is responsible for connecting the system to an approved discharge arrangement. A quotation for visible drain hardware may omit excavation, connection work, inspection or reinstatement around existing buildings.

Review the completed system

Include a contractor demonstration and a written handover in the project scope. Record any unexpected pooling, inaccessible sections or changes from the approved design and ask the designer to resolve them. Keep drawings, maintenance guidance and relevant approvals with the facility records. This guide identifies purchasing and communication questions; it gives no hydraulic design, wastewater-disposal authorisation or guarantee of regulatory compliance.

Common questions

Sources & further reading

References for this guide. Rules and services can change; check the responsible organisation for current details.

• Agriculture Victoria: boarding-establishment code (opens in a new tab)

Keep exploring