Floating Silt Curtains
Murlac Floating Silt Curtains, otherwise known as silt nets or turbidity curtains are manufactured by Murlac using a
range of geotextile and PVC materials and are available in a range of sizes depending on the site requirements. Our
floating silt curtains are available for both hire or sale and are readily available from stock in a range of sizes or
custom units can be made quickly if required. We will not be beaten on quality and price.
What are floating silt curtains?
Murlac floating silt curtains are designed to control and manage sediment flow within water.
In brief, murlac floating silt curtains consist of a top flotation pocket using an environmentally safe and 100%
recyclable closed cell foam. In addition to foam buoyancy we can manufacture our pvc range of silt curtains to be air
filled.
Below the foam buoyancy pocket of the silt curtain is the curtain itself. We use a range of materials for manufacturing
our floating silt curtains in the UK, mainly pvc and woven geotextile. Other suppliers of silt curtains may supply
‘permeable geotextile silt curtains’, however geotextile silt curtains are not permeable as the pores within the
geotextile which the manufacturers specification advise a water permeability rate quickly blind with the sediment
resulting quite quickly in the curtain becoming impervious. Where a flow is required through the silt curtain, Murlac
can frequency weld into pvc or stitch into geotextile materials a pvc mesh which will allow a flow of water through
without blinding. It must be noted that the pore opening size of the mesh will allow a large amount of sediment to
pass through the curtain at the same time.
At the bottom of the ‘curtain’ is a ballast pocket, where chain is used as a ballast weight to hold the curtain down in
the water. Every 5m or closer if required are d-shackles for attaching additional weight and anchors.
In fast flowing water the bottom of the curtain will kick up to allow the water flow to pass under the silt curtain whilst
forcing the sediment to be forced down assisting in the sediment control process.
MURLAC – Thatchmore Farm – Broad Lane – Huddlesford – Lichfield – Staffordshire – WS13 8QH
www.murlac.com
Telephone: +44(0)121 31 31 008
Email: [email protected]
Floating Silt Curtains
Hire & Purchase of silt curtains
Silt curtains from murlac are available to purchase and hire for both long and short term projects. We also offer a
buyback on floating silt curtains at the end of the project to ensure that you get the most competitive rates for the
UKs premier silt curtains without a premier price.
Suggested curtain choice and material considerations
Our floating silt curtains can be made to any length and depth using a range of materials depending on the site
conditions. The table below should be used as a guide, however it is always best to call us at Murlac on 0121 31 31
008 to discuss your project and ensure that the correct type and size of silt curtain is used for your project.
Silt Curtain Type
Geotextile
Re-enforced Geotextile
PVC
PVC / Geotextile
PVC with flow panels
Standard Depths
1m, 2m, 4m
1m, 2m, 4m, 9m
1m, 2m, 5m, 8m
1.5m, 2.5m, 5.5m
5m, 8m, 11m
Suggested Max Depth
9m
14m
35m
20m
35m
Suggested Max Length
30m
30m
20m
20m
20m
Available lengths
Murlac floating silt curtains can be manufactured to any length and depth, however we encourage our customers to
consider the manual handling associated when installing silt curtains. With health and safety in mind, we advise that
curtains are manufactured in up to 20m lengths and allow for joining of units on site using the integrated joining
element of the silt curtains.
Joining together silt curtains
All of our floating silt curtains are supplied with webbing and eyelets top to bottom at both ends. Silt curtains of
different lengths, depths and material can be universally joined together using a very simple lacing method. Where a
complete seal is required we are able to supply panel ends which connect two silt curtains together and ensure that
there is no gap between the units.
Manufacturing Health & Safety
Murlac strives to achieve ‘best practice’ when it comes to health and safety, and takes the view that health and safety
starts when we manufacture our silt curtains.
We high frequency weld our pvc silt curtains as this gives a stronger and more durable weld compared to hot air or
wedge welding. During our manufacturing process where we high frequency weld no SHVC (substances of very high
concern) are released. These are present in the all pvc panama materials to prolong the life and durability of the
material.
SHVCs are released during hot air and wedge welding, therefore not complying with our Health and
Safety and Environmental Policy.
When fabricating our geotextile range of silt curtains, we used industrial twin needle sewing machines with strong, rot
proof and salt water stable tread to ensure that our fabrication methods match that of our geotextile material. Other
suppliers may opt to use eyelets, rivets and washers which create point loading fabrication. By using a stitched seam
there is no point loading and the strain is taken across the curtain reducing the load on the material.
MURLAC – Thatchmore Farm – Broad Lane – Huddlesford – Lichfield – Staffordshire – WS13 8QH
www.murlac.com
Telephone: +44(0)121 31 31 008
Email: [email protected]
Floating Silt Curtains
Some geotextiles can be wedge welded, however the same issues surrounding pvc wedge welding are also present in
geotextile welding as SHVCs are released from the geotextile during this process.
At the same time murlac works within the EU’s working time directive. We are aware that some of our competitors
work through the night and then drive to deliver silt curtains which in Murlacs opinion is not a safe practice.
Delivery Times
To ensure that murlac can service the needs of its customers whilst complying with legislation, we have a large stock
of both hire and new silt curtains ready for immediate despatch using our own internal transport or Palletforce. Orders
received before 4pm can be despatch the same day for next day delivery if required providing that the size you
require is in stock, even if it is not in stock we will do our up-most to ensure that we deliver to our customers timescales.
Silt curtain options
The table below shows some of the most common ‘standard’ range silt curtains murlac manufactures in the UK.
Geotextile
Re-enforced Geotextile
PVC
PVC / Geotextile
PVC flow panel
Custom Silt Curtain
We offer a floating silt curtain installation service nationwide,
providing trained operatives with construction and industry
accreditation as standard.
Call 0121 31 31 008 today to find out more
MURLAC – Thatchmore Farm – Broad Lane – Huddlesford – Lichfield – Staffordshire – WS13 8QH
www.murlac.com
Telephone: +44(0)121 31 31 008
Email: [email protected]