Mermade 36" x 60" Edge Outlet (BIF Replacement), Complete

The Mer-Made 36" × 60" Edge Outlet Complete Vacuum DE Filter Leaf Assembly is a specialized drop-in replacement engineered to retrofit legacy BIF (Builders Iron Foundry / B-I-F Industries) commercial vacuum DE filtration systems, as well as custom deep-pit municipal and institutional vaults configured with side/edge collection manifolds.

Unlike bottom-outlet septa that drop discharge spuds downward into a floor header, the Edge Outlet configuration routes the effluent discharge through an outlet hub mounted on the vertical side/edge of the frame. This matches the wall-mounted or side-running vacuum headers characteristic of legacy BIF installations.

Technical Specifications & Dimensions

Structural Architecture & Construction Details

• High-Flow Internal Drainage Grid: A rigid, heavy-gauge polypropylene or ABS drainage core that withstands high negative vacuum draw (up to 15" Hg) without inward deflection or face collapse, ensuring laminar flow across the entire 30 sq. ft. cloth area toward the side collection port.

• Perimeter Framing: Heavy-gauge extruded rigid PVC/CPVC channel with thermo-welded corner gussets. The vertical rail housing the outlet is heavily reinforced to withstand lateral cantilever torque when engaged in the side manifold.

• Gusseted Edge Outlet Hub: An injection-molded, chemical-resistant hub solvent- or hot-gas-welded into the frame edge. Includes an integrated stop collar to position the sealing gasket and maintain consistent socket depth in the BIF manifold.

• Factory-Fitted Septum Jacket: Rot- and chlorine-resistant woven monofilament/multifilament polypropylene cloth jacket (calibrated for 20–30 micron DE powder retention) with a custom reinforced side-cutout collar and heavy-duty closure flap.

Weights & Freight Estimates

• Individual Complete Leaf Net Weight: Approximately 22 to 26 lbs (10.0 to 11.8 kg).

• Single Boxed Leaf Shipping Weight: Approximately 32 to 38 lbs (14.5 to 17.2 kg) in reinforced heavy-duty corrugated cartons with edge protectors.

• Master Pallet / Grid Lot (10 to 15 Leaves): Approximately 360 to 580 lbs (163 to 263 kg) freight-strapped to an oversized 42" × 66" pallet.

Field Installation & Alignment Guidelines

1. Verify Outlet Elevation & Orientation: BIF systems were fabricated in left-hand, right-hand, and alternating manifold configurations. Confirm the outlet spud elevation and orientation match the existing wall header before staging the leaf.

2. Inspect & Prepare Side Manifold: Scrape and flush calcified DE and scale from the internal bore of the BIF receiver socket. Replace any worn internal O-rings or flat gaskets in the manifold receiver.

3. Fit Sealing Collar: Slide the replacement compression gasket/felt collar over the edge outlet spud until fully seated against the locator shoulder.

4. Engagement: Guide the leaf horizontally into the side manifold socket first, verifying full engagement of the outlet stem before lowering the opposite edge onto the pit floor guide saddles.

5. Secure Hold-Down Rail: Engage the top frame rail into the hold-down bracket and torque the tie-down hardware evenly to prevent the leaf from walking or canting out of the side header under dynamic pump start cycles.