Sewer manhole: types and features, how to choose correctly

Sewage septic tanks and drainage wells are necessarily covered with special manholes. They isolate the holes so that animals or people do not fall into them. Hatches are securely fixed and, if necessary, give access for maintenance of underground utilities. They are installed on heating mains, gas pipelines, sewers, in places where telephone or electric lines are laid. Let's consider the types and features of sewer manholes, a few tips on the choice.

What are sewer manholes

First of all, sewer manholes differ depending on their purpose:

• Inspection sewer manholes are installed where systems are branched, the diameter of the pipeline changes, on the bends and in other places where clogs or malfunctions in the sewer system are possible. This gives quick access for handymen.
• Storm sewer manholes are installed on stormwater manholes. They have holes made in them. Water flows through them and is then drained away.

Sewer manholes are differentiated by the type of load:

• A15 - light manholes. Such manholes are installed on pedestrian areas, flowerbeds.
• B125 - manholes of medium weight, which are used on sidewalks, parking lots and parkways.
• C250 - these are heavy manholes that are placed on city roads for automobiles.
• D400 are massive highway manholes. They are used on wide high-traffic highways and at gas stations.
• E600 - extra heavy manholes, which are used on airfields, in storage terminals, on highways with heavy traffic.
• F900 - are extra heavy manholes of reinforced strength, they are put on airfields and other facilities with extreme operating conditions.

How to choose a sewer manhole

Let's consider the main selection criteria. Sewer manholes differ in material:

• Cast-iron manholes withstand a high load, do not rust. They are used where there is a high-intensity movement of pedestrians, cars. They are quite expensive, but they serve for at least 50 years.
• Polymer-sand manholes are produced by compressing dry sand and plastic. They are made in different colors. This makes them inconspicuous. It is possible to match the sewer manhole to the color of the sidewalk of the walkway.
• Plastic manholes withstand temperature fluctuations and are produced in any color. They are used to cover manholes where there is no load on the surface.
• Polymer-composite manholes are made of polymer material in combination with fiberglass. They are lightweight and environmentally friendly, resistant to wear and tear. Such products are used on footpaths, on garden plots.

Also, the hatch is chosen according to the load. The products have a marking, which determines the purpose of the product. For footpaths and garden areas are suitable for lighter models. In parks and recreation areas, it is especially important that the hatch does not attract attention and was with high soundproofing properties. Therefore, choose products made of plastic and polymer-sand material. For highways, a cast-iron manhole that weighs more than 50 kg is best suited. When such a manhole is hit by a car, it does not move out of place. Thanks to this, the well remains closed. On the homestead plot and dacha it will be enough to cover sewage manholes with manholes made of polymers.