One of the most common questions we get about QPOD is:
“How do you handle your pipe penetrations?”
It’s a fair question — because anyone who’s spent time working on a slab knows how critical, and sometimes frustrating, those penetrations can be.
With traditional polystyrene (EPS) systems, most teams have a routine. You knock out a trench, drop your pipes in, wedge them roughly to fall, spray a bit of foam, and move on.
It’s quick — but it’s also messy, inconsistent, and impossible to keep clean. EPS bead gets into everything:, the pipe, your boots, the site and beyond. And once you start cutting, you’re committed to whatever path you just made.
QPOD changes that — not by making it dramatically easier, but by making it neater, more repeatable, and every bit as simple once you know how.
How It’s Usually Done With EPS
Polystyrene systems rely on on-site trenching. After the pods are laid, the plumber or builder cuts through the EPS using a saw, spade, or even a bit of rebar to form channels for pipes. It’s quick and flexible, but it has a few downsides:
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Mess: The static-charged EPS beads cling to everything and blow across site.
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Integrity: Deep cuts can compromise pod shape or leave voids under reinforcement.
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Cleanup: Bead fragments end up in stormwater and take time to clean up.
And when you’re used to grabbing a shovel, a structured system like QPOD can seem unfamiliar at first
How It’s Done with QPOD
With QPOD, the goal is the same — get the pipes in, to the right fall, and keep them steady until the pour.
There are two separate methods depending on whether you’re using our Raft or Continuous system
Here’s a breakdown of each.
The Raft System Method
This setup keeps things familiar but cleaner:
1. Set your fall: Mark out and drive in a rod at the same length as your pipe run.
2. Secure your pipe height: Screw a cap into the formwork at the correct outlet level.
3. Form your fall: Use small EPS offcuts or wedges to form the gradient under the pipe.
4. Lock it in: Tie or clip the pipe bend to the rod so it can’t move.
5. Pod fit: Cut and slit the QPOD pod where the pipe passes through — top and side — so it sits snugly.
6. Seal: Use expanding foam to fill gaps and stabilise the entry.
The Continuous System Method
This one’s even tidier:
1. Start the same way — rod, height, and fall setup.
2. Use an end cap: Cut a hole to suit your pipe diameter and add a slit so you can slide it over.
3. Snap it on: Attach the modified end cap to the pod.
4. Mark and cut: Measure the top penetration point and cut precisely where needed.
5. Fit and foam: Slot the pod over the pipe and seal gaps with foam.
Because the Continuous System links pods together, the cuts are minimal, and alignment stays true.
You get a clean, continuous flow path without the trenches or waste.
Why It Matters
Every foundation has penetrations — the difference is how controlled they are.
Poorly set falls can cause inspection delays.
On the other hand, a clean, planned setup means:
✅ Consistent falls — easier to verify before inspection.
✅ Reduced rework — pipes stay where you set them.
✅ Cleaner pours — sealed penetrations mean no bleed.
✅ Environmental win — no microbead contamination.
It’s not necessarily “easier” than polystyrene. It’s just smarter, cleaner, and built for consistency.
Once you’ve done it once, you’ll realise it’s the same amount of work — only tidier and ready for repeatable builds.
Helpful Resources
To learn more about plumbing and pipe penetrations with the QPOD system be sure to check out our Plumbing and Pipe Penetrations resource on the link below.