What is the purpose of the sewer cover
There are such elements of the “cityscape” that our eye simply ceased to perceive, for example, this concerns a sewer. It so happened that they became so familiar in the streets and courtyards that we could pay attention to them only if they were not in place or the well was right in front of us. In this article we will take a closer look at this element, find out how much the manhole cover weighs, and also what it is installed for.
What is it for?
Well-known manholes are designed to facilitate access to underground utilities.
These include these types of sewers:
- waste;
- storm water;
- cable;
- pipeline
The instruction states that the main function of manholes is to protect the drain and the well from possible damage and to ensure the safe movement of pedestrians and road transport. It also prevents the penetration of cable and water supply networks of vandals and sediments, especially if there are special locks on it.
Characteristics of the sewer
The lid prevents foreign objects from entering the sewer system. With its help, it is possible to prevent accidents. The weight of the manhole cover is 50 or more kilograms, this is due to the fact that they must resist the strength of vehicles in order to remain in place.
They can be:
- cast iron;
- rubber;
- polymer or plastic;
- made of composite material where fiberglass forms the basis.
Accordingly, the price of the product depends on the material. Sometimes indentations in the cast-iron construction are poured with concrete. For the convenience of lifting their own hands, make small holes in the lid.
To eliminate theft, they can even be made from reinforced concrete. Because of this, the cast-iron options are gradually replaced, including with rubber and plastic.
Tip: if you see that a sewer well is open somewhere, protect it and call the dispatch service.
Types of manhole covers
The lid of the sewer well, although it performs an quite ordinary role, also has a lot of weight, but still enjoys the attention of collectors. Indeed, in each city you can find interesting specimens, which may be almost the only ones in the country. There are also such people who are interested only in inscriptions or patterns on them, i.e. just take pictures of the hatch you like.
Unless you take some particulars, for the most part the lid is round. Below you will find out why the manhole covers are round:
| Cost price |
|
| Installation | In this case, during installation or removal, you will have a guarantee that the manhole cover will not fall into the well. For example, a square easily enters a manhole diagonally. There are, of course, other ways to achieve this, but of all the possible round shapes have been recognized as the most optimal. Also, in some cases, when there are no supporting whiskers, you do not need to make extra turns with the product in order to precisely match it with the manhole shape. |
| Thickness | This form makes it possible to reduce the thickness of the cover, due to the reduction of its internal forces. It also reduces material costs. |
| Reduction of marriage | In this case, there will be less defective products, as the lengths of the supporting parts are reduced. As a result, the lid does not “slap” when hitting it and does not collapse due to local stresses. |
To meet square, oval, rectangular and other forms of hatches today you can rarely tap.
They are now being replaced, because they do not meet safety standards.
- They are also convex in the middle and flat.
- It is inexpedient to use concave covers, as water accumulates and freezes in them.
- When the hatch is located above the drain, it can be in the form of a lattice or have openings for water flow into the sewer system.
- Very often, the surface of the product is made ribbed to increase its strength and since it will not be slippery. For this purpose, drawings or decorative patterns can be applied to the cover.
Since communication networks under the ground have a different purpose, therefore, the manhole covers are often labeled, which indicates their type of network. You can also see on them the name of the company that is the manufacturer, or the name of the city where they are installed. Often you can find a decorative pattern, which schematically shows the purpose of the hatch.
Security
Alas, but for the time being there are negligent members of society who steal cast-iron sewer manholes in order to hand them over to the scrap metal receiving point. Sometimes they are taken from the streets for their own farm, for example, to the country. There are also cases of theft for collectors or collectors.
Usually they are abducted from unlighted or poorly populated places, which further endangers pedestrians and drivers with these acts. If this happens, such wells are closed with heavy reinforced concrete lids.
Tip: in a suburban area, you can use decorative covers on sewer manholes in the form of various stones to add color to the territory.
Conclusion
Drainage systems play a big role in the life of each of us. Therefore, in cities and towns, as well as on their own sites, you can often find hatches covering access to the corresponding wells. In addition, they are assigned other functions, in particular, anti-vandal. The video in this article will help you find additional information on this topic.