Mermade 36" x 24" Edge Outlet (BIF Replacement), Complete

The Mer-Made 36" × 24" Edge Outlet Complete Vacuum DE Filter Leaf Assembly is a commercial-grade drop-in replacement designed specifically to retrofit compact legacy BIF (Builders Iron Foundry / B-I-F Industries) vacuum DE filtration systems, shallow surge tanks, or institutional hydrotherapy/spa vaults utilizing side-mounted collection manifolds.

This configuration is engineered for installations with limited vertical clearance or shallow concrete vaults where standard 60" deep leaves cannot fit. By placing the discharge hub on the vertical side edge rather than the bottom rail, the leaf discharges clean effluent directly into a wall-mounted or side-perimeter BIF vacuum header pipe.

Technical Specifications & Dimensions

Structural Architecture & Construction Details

• High-Flow Drainage Matrix Core: A rigid, heavy-gauge polypropylene or ABS drainage grid that resists collapsing under vacuum (up to 15" Hg) while maintaining uniform lateral fluid flow across the 36" width directly to the side exit port.

• Reinforced Perimeter Framing: Heavy-wall extruded rigid PVC/CPVC channel with thermo-welded corner gussets. Because the entire weight and hydraulic moment of the leaf are cantilevered off the side connection, the vertical member carrying the outlet hub is reinforced against torque.

• Gusseted Edge Outlet Hub: An injection-molded, chemical-resistant hub solvent- or hot-gas-welded directly into the side border. It features a molded stop shoulder to set the insertion depth into the BIF manifold receiver and maintain proper compression on the sealing gasket.

• Pre-Fitted Septum Jacket: Rot- and chemical-resistant woven monofilament or multifilament polypropylene cloth envelope (calibrated for 20–30 micron DE powder retention) with a reinforced side cutout collar and heavy-duty top closure flap.

Weights & Freight Estimates

• Individual Complete Leaf Net Weight: Approximately 10.5 to 13.0 lbs (4.8 to 5.9 kg).

• Single Boxed Leaf Shipping Weight: Approximately 16.0 to 20.0 lbs (7.3 to 9.1 kg) in heavy-duty corrugated cartons with edge guards.

• Commercial Grid Lot (10 to 20 Complete Leaves): Approximately 180 to 320 lbs (82 to 145 kg) strapped to a standard 40" × 48" wooden pallet.

Installation & Alignment Guidelines

1. Verify Handing & Elevation: BIF side headers require strict orientation. Confirm whether your system uses left-hand, right-hand, or alternating staggered outlets so the leaf faces the correct direction relative to vault inflow.

2. Clean Manifold Sockets: Clear any calcified DE build-up or scale out of the BIF receiver port on the side wall/manifold before sliding in the new leaf.

3. Mount Sealing Gasket: Slide a fresh high-density compression felt or elastomeric gasket over the edge spud, seating it firmly against the molded locator shoulder.

4. Horizontal Engagement: Guide the leaf horizontally so the edge outlet spud engages the BIF socket first. Once fully seated, lower the bottom rail onto the floor guide saddles.

5. Secure Hold-Down Rail: Engage the top frame rail into the overhead tie-down channel or hold-down clamp assembly to lock the leaf in place and prevent hydraulic chatter during pump startup.