What's New?
What's New?
A list of changes, improvements and additions to MasterDRAIN has long been overdue. This page will document those areas and will contain the changes in each update as it is released from January 2016.
03 December 2019
Programming error corrected.
09 November 2019
Code modified to import current (and previous) FEH catchment descriptors file formats from Wallingford/CEH.
28 October 2019
Fixed duration printout modified
08 September 2019
Function upgraded to use X and Y values for calculating lengths (as in SW). Button operated flyout for calculating DUs on the fly.
09 July 2019
Changes to invert levels will now ripple through the data and automatically change the appropriate gradient and fall in each section.
25 June 2019
Explanatory page added to graphics printout to explain the shape of the curve in the graphics section.
24 June 2019
Storm durations increased to 8 days. FEH data may be used (has to be present in the config file that was used to size the system).
16 June 2019
Appliance printout now active.
06 June 2019
Flow controls less than 1l/s and greater than 0.5 l/s now permitted.
28 May 2019
Re-instated with additions.
22 May 2019
Pump storage calculations added.
23 April 2019
Programming error corrected.
22 April 2019
Display error corrected.
26 February 2019
Printout error corrected for mixed storage.
19 February 2019
Printout error corrected.
19 November 2018
This function has been removed - please contact us if you want it back!
15 November 2018
Choice of m/s or m/hr for infitration constant added.
19 October 2018
Peak flow and hydrograph storage functions have been removed (NOT hydrograph storage check) as the use of fixed rate discharge is now obsolete.
26 October 2018
Misleading typo on printout corrected.
17 October 2018
An extra column has been added to the printout and the on-screen sizing calculation showing a Pass/Fail result for the 1/3 flow velocity. See below:
Concrete pipes manufactured to BS EN 1916 and BS 5911-1 readily satisfy these requirements
whether for surface water or foul sewage. For self-cleansing properties, the foul sewer must
flow at a minimum of 0.75 m/sec at one third of the design flow, the main governing factors being
the pipe diameter, the gradient and the volume of effluent. (The larger the pipe and the flatter
the gradient, the greater amount of effluent will be required to achieve self-cleansing velocity).
From CPSA Complete technical design guide, p5 quoting SfA 7
10 October 2018
Length calculated from the X and Y coordinates if present.
09 October 2018
Project file name displayed on status bar.
06 October 2018
Optional MADD calculation my be selected from the Constants screen and the results printed after the sizing results (requested by United Utilities).
See WAPUG 15 for further details.
03 October 2018
Screen/printout presentation modified.
26 September 2018
Revised to include offline storage. Screen/printout presentation modified.
25 September 2018
Create/Edit SW file displays sectional storage type and vortex control discharge rate in summary panel on the right.
20 September 2018
Data entry can now take either step time values or cumulative time values.
07 September 2018
Calculations and printout improved.
22 August 2018
Various improvements to screen and printout presentation. Further additions pending for this function.
20 August 2018
Screen and printout presentation improved and corrected where necessary.
13 August 2018
Major additions to sizing printout on summary pages.
12 August 2018
Error crash in this function corrected..
09 August 2018
Changes to import/export data to Excel plus improvements (more data) to sizing and file outputs to Excel.
02 August 2018
Vortex control analysis improved (on-screen display and printout).
01 August 2018
This was caused by some of the DLLs used by the programs and has been fixed. Apologies!
28 July 2018
This function improved.
26 July 2018
Print indicator showing entry number added to sizing and data printout to indicate progress on large jobs.
24 July 2018
Vortex Control analysis throttle control updated.
17 July 2018
Storage summary by section added to the Sizing printout.
06 July 2018
The ability to change the calculated values Cvol and UCWI has been added in the Sizing functions. .
05 July 2018
The offline storage function now allows more than one offline storage system. Entry/Exit to the storage from the manhole may be at invert or benching level. .
04 July 2018
The failure to use offline storage in some cases has been fixed. The screen output has been improved and now shows scrollable results for the whole system. .
22 May 2018
Directory problems in some cases have proved annoying to say the least. This has been fixed but please let us know if you still experience errors in this area.
09 May 2018
Textual changes to BS7533 printout..
04 May 2018
Larger ring sizes added to concrete ring soakaway.
03 May 2018
BS7533 Permeable paving calculations altered to allow a discharge value for the type C design.
01 May 2018
Some users have experienced a slowdown when the programs are writing the design files (.SW and .FL) to a server drive. Code has been added to cure this problem. Please let us know if you still have problems in this area.
11 April 2018
Area data entry box enlarged to take greater areas.
07 April 2018
Microdrainage conversion tool moved to the Tools menu
05 April 2018
Printout headers corrected for some recent customers - apologies for this error.
03 April 2018
100yrs+40% added to Qbar(rural) and Qbar(urban) calculations and printouts.
30 March 2018
Infiltration calculations added to the Blockleys Exfitration function. Propgram will now cycle through a series of storm duration and return the worst case.
22 March 2018
Weir printouts improved.
15 March 2018
Hydrological area map can now be loaded directly from the main menu under Hydrology/Config files.
04 March 2018
Main menu bar re-arranged to a more logical order in preparation for future developments. All the functions are still there but may be in a different place!
22 February 2018
'Get Max' explanatory text added to printout.
20 February 2018
Error messages when opening calcs dealt with and removed.
18 February 2018
Function added to provide compatability with Microdrainage file format as frequently requested by local authorities (F8 to call it up)
07 February 2018
These have been tidied up.
04 January 2018
m3/hr figure corrected.
04 January 2018
A few requested locations added. Database source code tidyed up.
15 December 2017
FRA Climate change values for each basin area now included under Storage.
15 December 2017
BS 7533 Permeable Paviors now has depths on structural images, image printed on printouts.
22 November 2017
CIRIA soakaways now have a long discharge graph for the critical storm running to zero depth.
22 November 2017
BS 7533 Permeable Paviors now has context sensitive help and structural images.
20 November 2017
CIRIA concrete soakaways now have graph showing emptying time for the critical storm duration.
18 November 2017
Error in clearing off-line storage corrected.
16 November 2017
Brief instructions for direct sizing available from the main menu - Sizing/Direct sizing help.
12 November 2017
Return period and CCF added o the Direct sizing display.
09 November 2017
Branch flows into index run after a flow control device corrected.
08 November 2017
Serial calculations for CIRIA soakaways extended to 192 hours.
07 November 2017
Manhole identifiers added to the schematic display. These will toggle on and off along with the pipeline identifiers.
26 October 2017
Companies that have developed calculation rotines for their own use can have these incorporated into the programs. Access may be private (the company only) or public (all users). Please contact us if you wish to pursue this option.
25 October 2017
Button added to display explanatory note for this function. Data saving copies the last entry into the '@' section to prevent the last line heading down to the 0,0 point.
23 October 2017
1) XP support now removed.
2) In order to combat the tendency for corporate users to move/rename the default Windows directories, the hard-coded paths have been removed and Windows API calls substituted
to find these directories on network machines/servers. Please note that while we will always try to help in these situations, it is not our responsibility to to sort out third party IT problems
and we would refer you to the IT department that instituted these changes.
20 October 2017
Section listview in data entry screens redrawn.
17 October 2017
Six hour storm added to automatic calculations..
01 October 2017
FEH data (if available and used) added to the printout for this function.
18 September 2017
Automatically saves a log of the startup processes to C:\Temp for troubleshooting use by support.
10 September 2017
More information added to input/results screen and printout.
08 September 2017
Printout page numbers corrected;Y axis labels on Sequential graph changed to more meaningful values; Offline height box removed from input screen (unnecessary confusion).
04 September 2017
Instructions for trial pit and herringbone calculation added to main menu.
27 August 2017
Manhole construction material included in each block.
27 August 2017
This technique is no longer permitted - See https://www.gov.uk/guidance/general-binding-rules-small-sewage-discharge-to-the-ground
26 August 2017
Printout corrected for multiple calculations - this displayed the maximum flow rate found in each section for all the storms, rather that the maximum flow rate for each storm (which it now does).
06 August 2017
If the Calc DUs button is used during data entry or editing, there is an option given at the end of the entering/editing session to print out the DU data. This takes the form of the number of each appliances per section of drainage run - not the calculated DUs for each. This data is also saved as a file in the data directory for future reference. It is NOT saved in the main data file, just the calculated DU value for the section.
04 August 2017
Comprehensive printout added.
03 August 2017
Range extended to include floor gullies.
The Calculate DU screen now has printout capabilities when called from the Tools menu. This does not apply to the similar function called from within the 'Create new file' routine,
though it could be added if requested.
02 August 2017
The 'Show 4 maps' function now has a data entry box for saving the constant values for a given location. This data may be saved as a config file by clicking on the Save button and naming the file.
01 August 2017
Recent changes to the program codes have resulted in an error on older installations, with the programs freezing and then failing after the "Loading ini" message on the screen.
This was due to a change to the way the 21 DLLs are called, but which stupidly included the one DLL that is unique to each user and is never upgraded. This latest upgrad has corrected
the call to this particular DLL. However, very recent issues of the programs used a revised DLL which worked as it should and which will now fail.
If this affects your copy please contact us immediately and we will issue you with a new file. Apologies for the senile stupidity!
28 July 2017
Individual maps that have 'Show towns on maps' enabled (Maps\Show towns on all maps\On) now have a section at the bottom that displays the data from the locations database. The circle markers for each location have been increased in size to make them easier to see and click on to show the data. This data may be saved as a config file by clicking on the Save button and naming the file.
20 July 2017
This now has filters for GB, N.I. and Eire. The option buttons default to the user's location but any may be used.
18 July 2017
Locations database further enlarged to include more places in the Irish republic with populations >1000
15 July 2017
Locations database enlarged to include more places in the Irish republic (included in the upgrade file).
The Hydrology maps for Ireland have been renamed and are available for download here
Download setup file and run to replaced existing files.
08 July 2017
Thanks to those who report issues and requests - it is because of you we have a better product every day!
02 July 2017
The download process has been modified to give a faster download. The upgrade file has also been reduced in size by omitting static items that most users already have.
02 July 2017
Field drainage to ditch is now included under Greenfield runoff. Calculates the flow rate from various surfaces into a ditch, returning the change in depth in the ditch flow. Be aware of the caveats on the printouts and use at your own risk!
30 June 2017
This page is now accessible from the programs by going to Help and clicking on What's new - browser may take a short time to load.
30 June 2017
This is fixed and the data input screen for printing restored.
29 June 2017
Recent printing faults have been corrected by removing the offending code. I have not been able to trace the problem and neither has the peer support in the USA.
28 June 2017
Hydrograph storage check now turned on in this program (sorry about this - I always use the SW program for this!)
28 June 2017
Calculations and printout tidied up
25 June 2017
Rain Garden printout modified.
25 June 2017
This function can now accept flow restrictors. More complex tweeking will still require the Edit file function.
16 June 2017
Infiltration coefficient added to the Blockley method of exfiltration pervious paving. This gives the potential infiltration volume for the design storm duration.
09 June 2017
Rain Garden design added to the Infiltration dropdown menu..
21 May 2017
Direct sizing screen brought into line with the SW now.
21 May 2017
Derivation of Marston equation constants Cc and Cd revised.
07 May 2017
Excavations printout revised.
01 May 2017
Peak flow surcharge revised.
26 April 2017
'Create rainfall profile' has been added to the SW program under Hydrology. These profiles are used in the hydrograph surcharge calculation and this change avoids having to swap between programs.
06 April 2017
The project book "Newport.pdf" is currently being revised to bring it into line with the current version of the SW program and what has been done so far is included in the setup CD.
05 April 2017
Code for sizing routine re-written to improve speed and output to printer.
03 April 2017
Autogradients (if enabled) calculate section gradients as normal unless the downstream manhole already has an invert level, in which case the gradient is altered to fit.
31 March 2017
Major problem wiith data input investigated and corrected. Autogradients re-instated for this function
02 March 2017
FEH data (where available) added to the printout..
20 February 2017
This section has been re-vamped and the printout improved to contain more data.
06 February 2017
Change of 16/01/17 has been reversed. Installation of an upgrade may still be done from within the program as the install program will automatically close any open programs that may interfere with the process.
01 February 2017
Screen brought into line with the Qbar(rural) display.
29 January 2017
Function added to extract FEH constants from the FEH *.CSV file downloaded from https://fehweb.ceh.ac.uk/. (This data has to be purchased from CEH - see website).
27 January 2017
Slacker gradients added to Rectangular channels.
26 January 2017
Printout of data and calculations now added to Rectangular channels.
25 January 2017
Now added 200yr+30% to calcs and printout for Scottish users.
21 January 2017
Now added to Foul program.
16 January 2017
Installation of an upgrade may still be done from within the program, but it is not automatically installed. The ugrade file must be manually run after closing all the Masterdrain programs that are open. Instructions are on-screen after the download.
12 January 2017
This has been added to more dialogs in the SW program - a continual exercise.
09 January 2017
Problems have occured with re-directed folders in some commercial installations. The programs now contain code that will try to find the Documents folder if it is not where it is supposed to be.
07 January 2017
The SW program now has a function to create and view a comprehensive database of manhole survey data.
01 January 2017
Booklets listing the available functions (with a little explanation) for each program are available.
Please post an A5 stamped envelope (Ist Large) to our address and we will send you a copy of each.
24 December 2016
These functions have been 'repaired' and display correctly.
24 December 2016
Text corrected on screen for both functions
14 December 2016
Calcs now display 100yr+40%
01 November 2016
Screen data entry inproved and enlarged, along with printout.
25 October 2016
Programs copied onto a USB stick (see under Accessories) no longer requires a blank stick - though this is recommended. Stick must still be inserted before the program is run so that it can be recognised.
19 October 2016
Sequential graph of volume against time added to the printout.
30 September 2016
Circular pipes now have a printout function for a hard copy of the calculated data and a reduced version of the pipe flow charts.
26 September 2016
Data added to design printout.
30 August 2016
W5-074A has been replaced with Rainfall Runoff Management for Developments - RevisionE.pdf on the setup CD. Refer to this for details on runoff.
29 August 2016
Default directories have been changed for new installations to accommodate folder redirection. If the preferred directories are not found, the INI file is stored in the System32 folder and the user must set the data directory to their choice on the server.
17 August 2016
Context sensitive help has been added to this function. Also added is the ability to perform a calculation using a fixed storm duration (e.g. the ubiquitous 6 hour storm). Printouts have been modified to reflect these changes.
14 August 2016
We have found that some commercial companies redirect the standard Windows' folders to another location. These programs require the Documents folder to be in the position allocated by the operating system or the program will fail to run. Code has been added to each of the programs to check that these folders are in the right place - if they are, the user will not notice this extra bit of code running and the program will carry on. This is only of importance on the first occasion that the program is run. There is a preliminary checking program for prospective customers that can be downloaded here or navigate to 'How to purchase' page for more information.
09 August 2016
For some reason best known only to themselves, Harrow Council demand a UCWI factor of 150 and a Cvol of 0.95. If the config file for Harrow is used, the programs override the calculated values of these with their preferred values.
09 August 2016
Data entry screen and printout rewritten. Sequential storms added plus pipe spacing.
27 July 2016
Time. depth and flow values printed out the graph page. Sequential storage graph displays storage volumes from 0.25 to 4000 hours storm on a log scale.
22 July 2016
Rainfall intensities printed out following each graph page. 100 steps for a given storm duration.
13 July 2016
Climate change % added to trench and concrete ring soakaway calculations
27 June 2016
Will now accommodate storage made up two differing pipe sizes, calculated separately and then summated.
16 June 2016
Minor changes to labels on main data screen.
26 May 2016
Now includes entry and exit data for upstream and down stream connections - pipe diameters, invert and crown levels.
Choice of hard copy printouts - the original row format and a block format with data presented in blocks per manhole.
Note: Block presentation for level inverts only at present.
21 May 2016
Added to the sectional display to bring it in line with the SW program.
18 May 2016
A dropdown list box has been added to these functions to enable the manhole construction to entered for each section and similarly for the pipe material.
15 May 2016
Calculations improved.
12 May 2016
Includes calculations for septic tank and treatment plant soakaways..
06 May 2016
Pipeline annotation increased to show bedding class, material etc.
05 May 2016
A dropdown list box has been added to these functions to enable the pipe material to entered for each section.
03 May 2016
Manholes are now accurate representations of the actual size. Extra line of text added to each set of manhole data to show manhole construction.
Sample.dxf - save as a DXF file and load into Autocad or a DXF viewer.
02 May 2016
A dropdown list box has been added to these functions to enable the manhole construction to entered for each section.
28 April 2016
Screen layout improved;data printout over-run corrected.
27 April 2016
These have been tidied up in the SW program and older, superceded functions removed.
20 April 2016
The plan view screen has been changed to make the display spatially correct.
10 April 2016
There is more design information available for these units under Storage/Crown controls. Explains design head and type selection.
23 March 2016
Characteristics graph for final output vortex control may be displayed on screen. It is most important that the flush point of the device is less than the design flow. Graph for final output vortex control included in printout.
17 March 2016
Now has a Help button to directly call up help screen for this function. Also allow design to include unregulated flows from areas.
11 March 2016
New menu items for guidance on designing these controls courtesy of Crown Water Ltd.
Changes to the layout of this function. Design information documents added
10 March 2016
Will now calculate the maximum volume of the receiving basin required by using storms from 1hr to 100hr duration.
08 March 2016
Extra safety factors and fill voids added to suit new Welsh Sustainable Homes requirements.
12 Feb 2016
Now incorporated into the SW and Hydrology programs under Storage dropdown menu.
20 Jan 2016
Now incorporated into the Foul program
04 Jan 2016
Loads an Excel worksheet and either uses it for new data input or displays an existing SW file. Excel functions grayed out if Excel is not installed.
01 Jan 2016
Saving revised data file from this function corrected to include full data. (Drain10.DLL). Screen refresh improved to remove any 'left behind' lines. Branch into Index run plot has manhole positions at the correct level.
Dec 2015
Missing data corrected and layout improved.
