Cover your manhole!
Thomas James
Impact and Engagement Officer - Helping businesses at STFC make the most of their stories. Passionate about marketing, engineering and green energy projects.
Manhole covers, inspection covers, access covers - whatever you call them, they're everywhere!
From roads to warehouses, swimming pools to local parks, patios to kitchens, gardens and driveways; and they all come in a variety of shapes, sizes and weights too.
When it comes to installing or replacing one, there are so many options available so how on earth can you can determine the right one required for the job?
Let's make it simple.
Manhole covers are generally split into three main categories:
- Recessed
With inset tray used where tiling, block paving or any type of infill is required, leaving only a few millimetres of the frame visible.
- Solid Top (Flush)
Fitted flush with the ground, the entire product is visible when installed.
- Cast & Ductile Iron
The same as flush covers, but with a sub-category of gully gratings. An example of these would be your typical kerbside grating.
If aesthetics are important in the area where the cover will sit then look for 'decorative' covers that look the part, such as these double and triple-sealed aluminium recessed covers.
Honestly there is one of our covers in there somewhere!
PRO TIP: If you are replacing an old cover then in most cases you will need to replace both the manhole cover and the frame in which it sits, because you'll have a tricky time finding a new one that fits perfectly into the old frame. Remove both, then it's time to measure up...
Here's where mistakes happen. The measurements. Make sure (and this is important) you are measuring the clear opening size.
The what? The aperture - the hole - the gap that's left when the cover is removed from the frame (as below). That's the only size to concern yourself with as it's the equivalent of the size of your chamber. So please refrain from measuring the overall size.
Also important is the depth of the complete cover and internal tray depth, so make note of that too.
We've addressed more installation concerns and put up a few hints and tips on our FAQ page. Have a read and if you still have questions feel free to get in touch with one of our experts today.