In this blog, you’ll discover everything you need to know about manhole covers, from materials to classes and more. If you're new to manhole covers or just looking to expand your knowledge, we've got you covered. We’ll ensure that you can make a confident decision with the help of this easy-to-follow guide. 

What Are Manhole Covers?

Manhole covers (also known as ‘biscuits’)  are removable lids or plates that allow access to underground networks, such as sewer systems and telecommunications. They are typically made from aluminium, galvanised steel and cast iron, and are installed on top of access points to the underground systems. 

It’s common for manhole covers to come in various shapes and sizes to suit specific applications and job requirements. They are purposefully designed to withstand the weight of pedestrians and vehicles so they can provide security to the networks below and safety to pedestrians. 

 

What are manhole covers used for?

They are mostly used for routine maintenance, inspections, repairs, and cleaning of underground systems. Additionally, manhole covers serve as a protective barrier against debris, objects, and unauthorised individuals from entering the utility networks.

Manhole covers can be applied to numerous types of applications, depending on the load bearing capacity. They are easily separated into classifications to accurately determine the right manhole for the right requirements.  

 

What do the different load bearing capacities mean?

Depending on the load-bearing capacity of manhole covers depends on the category they fall into. Each classification is  designed to meet specific weight requirements for different applications. These classes ensure that the manhole covers can safely support the varying loads in the application in which they are installed. Here are the typical classes and their load-bearing capacities.

 

A15 Class:

• Load Capacity: Up to 1.5 tons (1,500 kg)
• Applications: Areas with pedestrian traffic only, residential areas, and garden paths.

 

B125 Class:

• Load Capacity: Up to 12.5 tons (12,500 kg)
• Applications: Light traffic areas, including driveways, car parks, and lightly trafficked service stations.

 

C250 Class:

1. Load Capacity: Up to 25 tons (25,000 kg)
2. Applications: Medium traffic areas like roads with slow-moving traffic, curbside installations, and small parking lots.

 

D400 Class:

• Load Capacity: Up to 40 tons (40,000 kg)

• Applications: Heavy traffic areas, such as city streets, highways, industrial areas, and other areas with regular vehicle traffic.

 

E600 Class:

• Load Capacity: Up to 60 tons (60,000 kg)
• Applications: Areas with exceptionally heavy loads, like docks, airport runways, and industrial facilities with heavy machinery

 

F900 Class:

• Load Capacity: Up to 90 tons (90,000 kg)
• Applications: Extremely heavy load areas, including airport taxiways, cargo handling areas, and areas with substantial commercial traffic.

 

How do I know which load bearing I need?

It’s important to choose a manhole cover with the appropriate load-bearing capacity for your required application to ensure safety, longevity and overall performance. Choosing the wrong load bearing capacity can pose serious risk to pedestrians, vehicles and infrastructure. 

To determine the appropriate load-bearing capacity for your manhole cover, consider these following factors:

1. Location:

• Identify where the manhole cover needs to be installed. Is it in a pedestrian area, residential zone, busy street, industrial zone, or another type of environment?

 

1. Traffic Type and Volume:

• Evaluate the volume of traffic that will pass over the manhole cover. Will it be mostly foot traffic, light vehicles, heavy trucks, or industrial machinery?

 

1. Weight of Vehicles:

• Assess the maximum weight of the vehicles that will cross the cover. This includes considering the weight of both individual vehicles and any loads they will carry.

 

1. Local Regulations and Standards:

• Check local regulations, standards, and guidelines, as they may specify minimum requirements for load-bearing capacities based on the required use and location.

 

1. Future Considerations:

• Consider any changes in the area's usage or traffic patterns that might require a higher load-bearing capacity in the future.

 

As a general guideline, if you're uncertain about the future level of traffic, it's advisable to choose a higher class of manhole cover than currently needed. This ensures durability and safety over time, even if traffic increases.

 

Recommended Load-Bearing Classes for Common Scenarios

1. Pedestrian Areas:

• A15 Class: Suitable for walkways, residential lawns, and garden paths with pedestrian traffic only.

1. Light Traffic Areas:

• B125 Class: Appropriate for driveways, car parks, and areas with light vehicle traffic.

1. Medium Traffic Areas:

• C250 Class: Ideal for roads with slow-moving traffic, curbside installations, and small parking lots.

1. Heavy Traffic Areas:

• D400 Class: Necessary for city streets, highways, and industrial areas with regular heavy vehicle traffic.

1. Very Heavy Load Areas:

• E600 Class: Needed for docks, airport runways, and industrial facilities with exceptionally heavy loads.

1. Extreme Load Areas:

• F900 Class: Required for airport taxiways, cargo handling areas, and areas with extremely heavy commercial traffic.

 

By considering these factors, you can select a manhole cover with the appropriate load-bearing capacity, ensuring it meets your specific needs and provides long-term durability and safety

 

Where can I buy manhole covers?

By following these simple guidelines for load-bearing capacities and considering factors you can trust that you’ve made an informed decision that will contribute to the longevity of essential urban services.

At Cotterills we supply a variety of load-bearing capacities suitable for a majority of applications. We offer ranges of ductile iron manhole covers including B125, C250 and D400 load ratings in various sizes to suit your needs.

 

 

If you need more information please call our team of experts on 0121 351 3230 or email enquires@cotterillcivils.co.uk and we’ll be more than happy to help.

Alternatively, fill out our enquiry form: