Pipes

Pam Building champions high-capacity arena drainage

0/0
A 100-mm diameter EPAMS outlet can achieve flow rates of 26 litres per second.

As part of its aggressive growth plans for the Gulf and broader Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, Pam Building is leveraging its extensive experience with Morocco’s flagship stadiums to target the GCC’s massive new sports infrastructure wave. With the region rapidly expanding its portfolio of world-class stadiums, leisure complexes, and entertainment giga-projects, the European leader in cast-iron sanitary and rainwater drainage is uniquely positioned to transfer its tournament-tested expertise to the Gulf. 

Pam Building views the Gulf as a strategic growth market as it expands its presence across the region. The company’s experience in Morocco’s stadium programme provides a strong reference for similar projects across the GCC, where large sporting, entertainment and mixed-use developments are becoming increasingly common.

Morocco, which hosted the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2025 and will co-host the FIFA World Cup 2030, has embarked on an extensive programme to build and upgrade sports facilities. Pam Building’s drainage systems have been specified for several landmark venues, including the Moulay Abdellah, Moulay El Hassan, Ibn Battouta, Al Barid and Olympic stadiums.

Among these, the 22,000-seat Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, designed by My Group Architecture in partnership with Populous, showcases the company’s portfolio of drainage solutions. The project incorporates approximately 1,700 Agilium cast-iron pipes (5,013 linear m), 70 PAM Global Plus pipes (210 linear m) for areas exposed to aggressive effluents such as commercial kitchens, together with 81 EPAMS siphonic rainwater outlets and 29 overflow risers to manage roof drainage efficiently.


More than 5,000 linear m of Agilium piles have been installed at Moulay El Hassan stadium.

Manufactured from 99 per cent recycled materials at Pam Building’s Bayard-sur-Marne facility in France, these cast-iron systems combine high fire resistance of up to four hours, excellent acoustic insulation, mechanical strength and a service life of up to 70 years with minimal maintenance. These characteristics make them particularly suited to stadiums and other public buildings that must safely accommodate thousands of visitors while minimising lifecycle costs.


Lighter, lower-carbon drainage

One of the key technologies deployed on the project is Agilium, described by the company as a “lighter and carbon reduced cast-iron drainage solution” currently available compared to standard cast iron. By reducing pipe weight while maintaining the mechanical and acoustic performance associated with traditional cast iron, the system simplifies handling, cutting and installation while helping lower carbon emissions (under an environmental product declaration).

For example, a 3-m-long, 75-mm diameter Agilium pipe weighs 13.6 kg, compared with 18 kg for a conventional cast-iron equivalent, reducing carbon emissions by approximately 25 per cent, Pam Building points out.

Building on the success of these products, Pam Building is launching Agilium Plus in September 2026. The new system is up to 30 per cent lighter than the existing PAM Global Plus range while delivering a further 20 per cent reduction in CO₂ emissions. The innovation lies in the combination of lightness, mechanical resistance, and the resistance to aggressive and hot effluents required for demanding environments such as hospitals, commercial kitchens, laboratories, laundries and car parks. 


EPAMS network model ... the higher hydraulic capacity reduces the number of outlets and pipework required.

The new product, which builds on the innovation introduced with Agilium, reinforces Pam Building’s commitment to lighter, lower-carbon drainage solutions for major sports and public infrastructure projects such as those delivered in Morocco.


High-capacity rainwater management

Large stadium roofs require drainage systems capable of handling intense rainfall without compromising safety or operational continuity. To meet this challenge, Moulay El Hassan Stadium incorporates Pam Building’s EPAMS siphonic rainwater drainage system, which uses an anti-vortex design to eliminate air entering the pipework and create negative pressure that accelerates water flow. The siphonic system is covered by a French Technical Approval (Avis Technique).

According to the company, a 100-mm diameter EPAMS outlet can achieve flow rates of 26 litres per second, compared with around five litres per second for a conventional gravity-fed system. The higher hydraulic capacity reduces the number of outlets and pipework required, while giving designers greater flexibility in locating downpipes to suit architectural requirements and potentially reducing installation costs. Outlets are available in 50, 75, 100 and 125 mm diameters and are compatible with all types of roof waterproofing.


Engineering support throughout the project

As every project is unique, the Pam Building team listens closely to specifiers and installation companies, supporting them at every stage. From the design phase, the team analyses the project’s specific needs based on the plans provided and the site’s rainfall intensity. It then carries out the technical studies and network sizing required to ensure efficient sanitary and rainwater drainage. 

On request, Pam Building can also provide detailed 2D and 3D design plans. Once installation is complete, a Pam Building expert carries out a final site inspection to check the system’s compliance and proper operation. This approach guarantees an optimal commissioning process that meets the project’s requirements.

With a heritage spanning over 500 years, Pam Building is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of innovative drainage solutions for buildings and infrastructure. The company remains committed to delivering high-tech products that meet the needs of its customers while complying with the strictest environmental standards. Its solutions are designed to ensure durability, performance and safety. Cast iron, the flagship material behind its products, offers high corrosion resistance and unmatched longevity, guaranteeing reliable, durable solutions for every application. Headquartered in France and operating in more than 50 countries, the company utilises a global network of over 400 professionals across specialised subsidiaries to deliver top-tier local service and technical support.