Home
My Wrekin
Access cover being installed

Choosing the right steel cover

Introduction

Although BS EN 124 does cover manhole tops manufactured from a variety of materials including steel it is argued that some test procedures are inappropriate for steel. The standard defines certain test loads and minimum permanent deflections that are impractical from an economic point of view and it is maintained are unnecessary in certain slow-moving traffic situations. In addition, steel fabrication is a highly flexible process allowing all sorts of non-standard sizes and designs that are not covered by BS EN 124.

As a consequence, the industry in the UK uses a number of definitions of loading categorisation that can be confusing. Some are historical descriptions while others are descriptions based on the gross laden weight of a vehicle or individual wheel loads. There can be conflicting definitions of exactly what the descriptions mean and how the access cover will perform.

In an attempt to apply some logic and give guidance to users the Fabricated Access Covers Association (FACTA) of which Wrekin is a member has produced definitions and loading categorisations in the form of classes for fabricated covers but not pressed tops.

In addition many of the historical loading descriptions still persist so using our 30 years experience and technical knowledge Wrekin have produced a guide to load categorisations and the correct choice of Wrekin product.

Key points

  • Where steel products are suitable for use in vehicle situations they are designed for slow moving traffic applications only. They must never be used in highways or any other area of fast moving traffic.
  • Access covers manufactured from pressed steel are recommended only for areas of low intensity traffic.
  • None of the loading categorisations can be directly compared to BS EN 124

Pedestrian

Internal and external areas which can only be used by pedestrians or bicycles e.g. toilets, changing rooms, footpaths, cycle paths.

Historical description SMWL FACTA Class
GLVW Load duty Pneumatic tyres Solid tyres  
Often described as 2.5tn Pedestrian N/A N/A A
Recommended Wrekin cover
Solid top pressed Fabricated steel Recessed tray for block paving Recessed tray for floor finish

Single seal C211K.../P series

Double seal C221K.../P series

Single seal C211K series

Double seal C221K series

60mm blocks C281M series

80mm blocks C291M series

C271M series

 

Domestic light duty

Very light industrial areas, where small trolleys and private cards/small vans can manoeuvre e.g. domestic driveways, trolley parks and hospital wards.

Historical description SMWL FACTA Class
GLVW Load duty Pneumatic tyres Solid tyres  
5tn Domestic light duty 1.5tn 0.25tn AA
Recommended Wrekin cover
Solid top pressed Fabricated steel Recessed tray for block paving Recessed tray for floor finish

Single seal C211L.../P series

Double seal C221L.../P series

Single seal C211L series

Double seal C221L series

60mm blocks C281M series

80mm blocks C291M series

C271M series

 

Light / medium duty

Service areas, shopping malls and light industrial areas.

Historical description SMWL FACTA Class
GLVW Load duty Pneumatic tyres Solid tyres  
10tn Light / medium duty 2.5tn 0.5tn AAA
Recommended Wrekin cover
Solid top pressed Fabricated steel Recessed tray for block paving Recessed tray for floor finish

Single seal C211M.../P series

Double seal C221M.../P series

Single seal C211M series

Double seal C221M series

60mm blocks C281M series

80mm blocks C291M series

C271M series

Light industrial areas where trolleys and light pallet trucks operate.

Historical description SMWL FACTA Class
GLVW Load duty Pneumatic tyres Solid tyres  
17tn Light / medium duty 4.25tn 0.5tn AAA
Recommended Wrekin cover
Pressed steel Fabricated steel Recessed tray for block paving Recessed tray for floor finish

Single seal C211M+.../P series

Double seal C221M+.../P series

Single seal C211N series

Double seal C221N series

60mm blocks C281M series

80mm blocks C291M series

C271N series

Medium duty

Pneumatic tyres

Pedestrian precincts, light commercial delivery or parking areas.

Solid tyres

Factories, industrial plants where small pallet trucks operate.

Historical description SMWL FACTA Class
GLVW Load duty Pneumatic tyres Solid tyres  
25tn Medium duty 5tn 0.75tn B
Recommended Wrekin cover
Solid top pressed Fabricated steel Recessed tray for block paving Recessed tray for floor finish

Single seal C211N.../P series

Double seal C221N.../P series

Single seal C211N series

Double seal C221N series

60mm blocks C281N series

80mm blocks C291N series

C271N series

Medium / heavy duty

Pneumatic tyres

Factories, industrial plants, commercial delivery or parking areas.

Solid tyres

Industrial areas where pallet and small fork-lift trucks operate

Historical description SMWL FACTA Class
GLVW Load duty Pneumatic tyres Solid tyres  
38tn Medium / heavy duty 6.5tn 1.5tn C
Recommended Wrekin cover
Pressed steel Fabricated steel Recessed tray for block paving Recessed tray for floor finish

N/A

Single seal C211P series

Double seal C221P series

80mm blocks C291P series

C291X.../TR series

Heavy duty

Pneumatic tyres

Heavy duty plant areas and service roads where HGV's can reach speeds of 20mph max.

Solid tyres

Heavy duty industrial areas where medium duty fork-lift trucks operate.

Historical description SMWL FACTA Class
GLVW Load duty Pneumatic tyres Solid tyres  
44tn Heavy duty 11.5tn 3tn D
Recommended Wrekin cover
Pressed steel Fabricated steel Recessed tray for block paving Recessed tray for floor finish

N/A

Single seal C211X series

Double seal C221X series

80mm blocks C291X series

C291X/TR series

Fork-lift / docks

Pneumatic tyres

Dockside and container storage areas where heavy duty transporters operate.

Solid tyres

Very heavy industrial areas where large heavy duty fork-lift trucks operate.

Historical description SMWL FACTA Class
GLVW Load duty Pneumatic tyres Solid tyres  
Special application vehicles Fork-lift / docks 16tn 5tn E
Recommended Wrekin cover
Pressed steel Fabricated steel Recessed tray for block paving Recessed tray for floor finish

N/A

Non standard products, please contact us.

Airports

Pneumatic tyres

Airfield aprons where particularly heavy wheel loads are imposed by aircraft and towing vehicles.

 

Historical description SMWL FACTA Class
GLVW Load duty Pneumatic tyres Solid tyres  
Special application vehicles Airport 24tn N/A F
Recommended Wrekin cover
Pressed steel Fabricated steel Recessed tray for block paving Recessed tray for floor finish

N/A

Non standard products, please contact us.

Highways / motorways

Never use steel covers in any highway situation due to traffic speed and intensity. Use Wrekin ductile iron covers in this situation.

Related pages

Related products

Stock code Clear opening
(mm)
Overall top of frame
(mm)
Frame depth
(mm)
Load duty Options My Wrekin
C211K/030030PSF 300 x 300 325 x 325 26 Pedestrian
C211K/045045PSF 450 x 450 475 x 475 25 Pedestrian
C211K/060045P 600 x 450 Pedestrian
C211K/060045PSF 600 x 450 625 x 475 25 Pedestrian
C211K/060060PSF 600 x 600 625 x 625 25 Pedestrian
C211L/045045PSF 450 x 450 475 x 475 25 Domestic light duty
C211L/060045P 600 x 450 Domestic light duty
C211L/060045PSF 600 x 450 625 x 475 25 Domestic light duty
C211L/060060PSF 600 x 600 645 x 645 25 Domestic light duty
C211M/060045PSF 600 x 450 625 x 475 25 Light / medium duty
C211M/060060PSF 600 x 600 625 x 625 25 Light / medium duty
C211MP/060045PSF 600 x 450 625 x 475 25 Light / medium duty
C211MP/060060PSF 600 x 600 625 x 625 25 Light / medium duty
C211N/060045PSF 600 x 450 625 x 475 25 Medium duty
C211N/060060PSF 600 x 600 625 x 625 25 Medium duty
C221K/030030 300 x 300 Pedestrian
C221K/037037 375 x 375 Pedestrian
C221K/045045 450 x 450 Pedestrian
C221K/060045 600 x 450 Pedestrian
C221K/060045PSF 600 x 450 630 x 480 25 Pedestrian
C221K/060060 600 x 600 Pedestrian
C221K/060060PSF 600 x 600 630 x 630 25 Pedestrian
C221L/045045 450 x 450 Domestic light duty
C221L/060045 600 x 450 Domestic light duty
C221L/060045PSF 600 x 450 630 x 480 25 Domestic light duty
C221L/060060 600 x 600 Domestic light duty
C221L/060060PSF 600 x 600 630 x 630 25 Domestic light duty
C221M/045045 450 x 450 Light / medium duty
C221M/060045 600 x 450 Light / medium duty
C221M/060045PSF 600 x 450 630 x 480 25 Light / medium duty
C221M/060060 600 x 600 Light / medium duty
C221M/060060PSF 600 x 600 630 x 630 25 Light / medium duty
C221MP/060045 600 x 450 Light / medium duty
C221MP/060060 600 x 600 Light / medium duty
C221N/060045 600 x 450 Medium duty
C221N/060060 600 x 600 Medium duty
C222N/120060 1,200 x 600 Medium duty
C222N/120067 1,200 x 675 Medium duty
C222N/120075 1,200 x 750 Medium duty
C222N/120120 1,200 x 1,200 Medium duty
C222N/120900 1,200 x 900 Medium duty
C222N/150060 1,500 x 600 Medium duty
C222N/150075 1,500 x 750 Medium duty
C222N/150090 1,500 x 900 Medium duty
C222N/180075 1,800 x 750 Medium duty
C222N/180600 1,800 x 600 Medium duty
C222N/18090 1,800 x 900 Medium duty
C222N/200100 2,000 x 1,000 Medium duty
C231M/060045/LH 600 x 450 640 x 590 51 Light / medium duty
C231N/072025/BT 725 x 255 825 x 335 86
C232N/061061/BT 610 x 610 695 x 680 86
C233N/091044/BT 915 x 445 980 x 520 86
C233N/096061/BT 960 x 610 1,040 x 683 86
C234N/131061/BT 1,310 x 610 1,380 x 683 86
C235N/169071/BT 1,690 x 710 1,765 x 783 86
C236N/228071/BT 2,285 x 710 2,360 x 783 86
C261N/061061/BT 610 x 610 46
C261N/072025/BT 725 x 255 46
C261N/091044/BT 915 x 445 46
C261N/170071/BT 1,705 x 710 46
C261N/232074/BT 2,319 x 742 46
C262N/131061/BT 1,310 x 610 46
C263N/170710/BT 1,705 x 710 46
C263N/232074/BT 2,319 x 742 46
C271M/030030 300 x 300 385 x 385 58 Light / medium duty
C271M/030030/SQR 300 x 385 x 385 58 Light / medium duty
C271M/045045 450 x 450 535 x 535 58 Light / medium duty
C271M/045045/SQR 450 x 535 x 535 58 Light / medium duty
C271M/060045 600 x 450 685 x 535 58 Light / medium duty
C271M/060060 600 x 600 685 x 685 58 Light / medium duty
C271M/067067 675 x 675 760 x 760 58 Light / medium duty
C271M/075060 750 x 600 835 x 685 58 Light / medium duty
C271M/075075 750 x 750 835 x 835 58 Light / medium duty
C271M/090060 900 x 600 985 x 685 58 Light / medium duty
C271M/090075 900 x 750 985 x 835 58 Light / medium duty
C281M/030030 300 x 300 340 x 340 85 Light / medium duty
C281M/030030/SQR 300 x 340 x 340 85 Light / medium duty
C281M/045045 450 x 450 490 x 490 85 Light / medium duty
C281M/045045/SQR 450 x 490 x 490 85 Light / medium duty
C281M/060045 600 x 450 640 x 490 85 Light / medium duty
C281M/060045/LH 600 x 450 640 x 490 85 Light / medium duty
C281M/060060 600 x 600 640 x 640 85 Light / medium duty
C281M/067067 675 x 675 715 x 715 85 Light / medium duty
C281M/075060 750 x 600 790 x 640 85 Light / medium duty
C281M/075075 750 x 750 790 x 790 85 Light / medium duty
C281M/090060 900 x 600 940 x 640 85 Light / medium duty
C291M/030030 300 x 300 340 x 340 105 Light / medium duty
C291M/045045 450 x 450 490 x 490 105 Light / medium duty
C291M/045045/D4 450 x 450 505 x 505 132 Light / medium duty
C291M/060045 600 x 450 640 x 490 105 Light / medium duty
C291M/060045/D4 600 x 450 655 x 505 132 Light / medium duty
C291M/060060 600 x 600 640 x 640 105 Light / medium duty
C291M/060060/D4 600 x 600 655 x 655 132 Light / medium duty
C291M/067067 675 x 675 715 x 715 105 Light / medium duty
C291M/075060 750 x 600 790 x 690 105 Light / medium duty
C291M/075075 750 x 750 790 x 790 105 Light / medium duty
C291M/090060 900 x 600 940 x 640 105 Light / medium duty
C291N/045045 450 x 450 515 x 515 105 Heavy duty
C291N/045045/D4 450 x 450 505 x 505 132 Medium / heavy duty
C291N/060045 600 x 450 665 x 515 105 Heavy duty
C291N/060045/D4 600 x 450 655 x 505 132 Medium / heavy duty
C291N/060060 600 x 600 665 x 665 105 Heavy duty
C291N/060060/D4 600 x 600 655 x 655 132 Medium / heavy duty
C291N/067067 675 x 675 740 x 740 105 Heavy duty
C291N/075060 750 x 600 815 x 665 105 Heavy duty
C291N/090060 900 x 600 965 x 665 105 Heavy duty
C291X/030030 300 x 300 365 x 365 105 Heavy duty
C291X/045045 450 x 450 515 x 515 105 Heavy duty
C291X/045045/D4 450 x 450 505 x 505 132 Heavy duty
C291X/060045 600 x 450 665 x 515 105 Heavy duty
C291X/060045/D4 600 x 450 655 x 505 132 Heavy duty
C291X/060045/TR 600 x 450 656 x 600 131 Heavy duty
C291X/060060 600 x 600 665 x 665 105 Heavy duty
C291X/060060/D4 600 x 600 655 x 655 132 Heavy duty
C291X/060060/TR 600 x 600 750 x 656 131 Heavy duty
C291X/067067 675 x 675 740 x 740 105 Heavy duty
C291X/075060 750 x 600 815 x 665 105 Heavy duty
C291X/075075 750 x 750 815 x 815 105 Heavy duty
C291X/090060 900 x 600 965 x 665 105 Heavy duty
C292X/090090 900 x 900 990 x 990 110 Heavy duty
C292X/122067 1,220 x 675 1,320 x 785 110 Heavy duty
CALPRO40L/030030 300 x 300 390 x 390 40 Domestic light duty
CALPRO40L/045045 450 x 450 540 x 540 40 Domestic light duty
CALPRO40L/045045/SQR 450 x 540 x 540 40 Domestic light duty
CALPRO40L/060045 600 x 450 690 x 540 40 Domestic light duty
CALPRO40L/060060 600 x 600 690 x 690 40 Domestic light duty
CALPRO40L/067067 675 x 675 765 x 765 40 Domestic light duty
CALPRO40L/075060 750 x 600 840 x 690 40 Domestic light duty
CALPRO40L/075075 750 x 750 840 x 840 40 Domestic light duty
CALPRO40L/090060 900 x 600 990 x 690 40 Domestic light duty
CALPRO60N/045045 450 x 450 540 x 540 60 Medium duty
CALPRO60N/045045/SQR 450 x 540 x 540 60 Medium duty
CALPRO60N/060045 600 x 450 690 x 540 60 Medium duty
CALPRO60N/060060 600 x 600 690 x 690 60 Medium duty
CALPRO60N/067067 675 x 675 765 x 765 60 Medium duty
CALPRO60N/075060 750 x 600 840 x 690 60 Medium duty
CALPRO60N/075075 750 x 750 840 x 840 60 Medium duty
CALPRO60N/090060 900 x 600 990 x 690 60 Medium duty
CALPRO80N/045045 450 x 450 540 x 540 80 Medium duty
CALPRO80N/060045 600 x 450 690 x 540 80 Medium duty
CALPRO80N/060060 600 x 600 690 x 690 80 Medium duty
CALPRO80N/067067 675 x 675 765 x 765 80 Medium duty
CALPRO80N/075060 750 x 600 840 x 690 80 Medium duty
CALPRO80N/075075 750 x 750 840 x 840 80 Medium duty
CALPRO80N/090060 900 x 600 990 x 690 80 Medium duty