Blog
7 Different types of Manhole Cover
16 July 2024
Barry Turner
Technical Manager - Castings Here's a guide to seven different types of manhole covers we offer and how to discern which is the best fit for your needs. UNITEThese rugged covers are built to exceed all standards requirements. Unite is ultra durable and can contribute to huge whole life cost and carbon savings. It’s the go-to cover for onerous applications and those requiring long service life. It can endure heavy, continuous loads, making it ideal for areas that experience high traffic volumes. The Unite range features covers for E600 and D400 load class applications, making it ideal for bustling highways and busy city streets. The range also includes several built-in characteristics, which help elevate Unite above typical load class thinking. A built-in I-beam for increased rigidity, mortar sympathetic frame features for better longevity in the ground, and optimised seating to reduce wear all combine to make Unite the best-performing double triangular manhole cover on the UK market. HIGHWAYHighway is the largest ductile ironwork range available on the UK market. The exceptional breadth of range makes specification simple, and as a result, it is the go-to defender for our road networks. Highway meets the stringent demands of Highways England’s CD 534 v0.1.0 (formerly HA 104/09) specification, Highway exceeds BS EN 124:2015 requirements and includes safety and specific design features required by Highways England. Durable, reliable, simple to specify, easy to install and operate, with full compatibility with the manhole frame-raising system Clicklift and the Armadillo protector shells that prevent damage to your ironwork. We know from talking to our customers that they value high-quality products with straightforward ranges and support on hand to help them select the right solution. Top blogsTRISTARTrue to its name, Tristar shines in versatility, compliance, and durability, and, like Unite and Highway, is also BSi Kitemarked to BS EN 124:2015. Our high-quality and compliant range of access covers, gully grates and surface boxes offer a competitive solution for groundworkers and specifiers. The range is ideally suited to housing and commercial developments, where it will provide a long life and reduce any inconvenience often caused to residents and road users. Tristar is also fully compatible with our other key enhancements, including the manhole frame-raising system Clicklift and the Armadillo protector shells that prevent damage to your ironwork, reducing the need for replacements and reduces the carbon footprint of installations during the construction phase. Put simply, Tristar is the best-selling highway ironwork product in the UK, with well over a million units sold. SAFESEALThe Safeseal series features a single integral ‘tongue and groove’ seal and has solutions for A15 to C250 ductile iron manhole covers. This ingenious design allows hermetic sealing, warding off unwanted water or odour leakage at normal atmospheric pressure. SafeSeal covers contain a safety keyway which prevents accidental disengagement during the lifting operation and is compatible with standard D400 lifting keys. Its low weight means it is easy to lift and handle, while still being extremely strong and durable. Its headline feature is the lift-and-slide cover removal method, ensuring an easy, single-person operation. It's a wise pick for pedestrian areas or driveways serving a single house. HERCULESAs mighty as its mythological namesake, the Hercules D400 is the ideal solution when a very large manhole is required for a D400 group 4 environment (up to 1.2m clear opening). The cover’s M16 blank bolt can be replaced with a threaded lifting eye for mechanical lifting – the position of the bolt is at centre of mass, allowing safe and level lifts. The covers feature a small window allowing for easy and safe inspection without the need to remove the entire cover. Its robust build braves the elements and traffic with ease, ensuring a steady performance day in and day out. VAULTVault secure access covers feature a stainless-steel lock for securing valuable assets like communications equipment, exceeding the requirements of LPCB level 3 version 8. This locking system offers an unrivalled level of high security. Our hinged Vault range of access covers exceeds BS EN 124:2015 D400 requirements and includes unique safety features, including a sequential opening locking system and stops which fix the covers in a unique, simple to use, upright position for safe and simple operation. FORCEExuding sheer power, the Force D400 is a showcase of our innovation, design detail and expertise. Force covers deliver ultimate durability and several unique features including a patented anti-debris ClearBore Hinge and easy lift provision. The design is based on principles from our premium Unite range of ironwork which has an unrivalled pedigree of 20 years’ service with no reported failures. Force also features a round cover top, so are typically not specified for UK roads, where square, double triangular covers are required. CONCLUSIONEach project presents its own specific conditions and challenges. From the bustle of trunk roads to the more subdued car parks, selecting the right manhole cover is crucial for the project's success and longevity. Here's a quick guide to aid your decision-making:
When in doubt, consult our experts, who can offer technical support and advice to ensure you receive the best possible solution for your needs. Remember, every cover in our range is crafted with precision and care to meet the highest standards. Whether you're dealing with trunk roads or servicing bus lanes, our covers are designed for longevity and compliance with the most stringent regulations. Related products
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