Wrekin innovative ClickLift saves time and disruption for manhole cover re-installations
LEADING designer, manufacturer and supplier of specialist products for the civil engineering industry Wrekin Products has created ClickLift ™ – an innovative product that saves new build developers and ground workers time and money.
It’s common practice for manhole covers to be installed in the early stages of a housing development, well before the final tarmac is laid. This either means that the manhole cover is installed proud of the binding layer and is therefore susceptible to construction traffic damage, or if installed level with the binding layer, must be entirely dug out and effectively installed again. Both scenarios mean additional costs and potential complications.
ClickLift™ raises Wrekin Highway and TriStar frames to suit the final surface layer without the need for digging out and re-installing. The cover and the frame are installed at the binding layer level, thereby reducing the possibility of site damage and then, when the finish surface layer is being applied, the manhole cover can be raised with the ClickLift™ frame extender simply and quickly.
Simon Gibson, technical director at Wrekin Products, said: “We understand the problems that housebuilders and groundworkers face daily and creatively solving these issues is what Wrekin does best.
“Manhole cover reinstallation, with its associated disruption, damage and cost, is an issue we recognised as having a massive impact on the industry. When specifying covers for developments, we’ve also noticed that specifiers sometimes don’t consider the construction phase traffic and the impact of site vehicles on ironwork. We’re proud of the simple and effective solution that’s now on offer through ClickLift™.”
The new patented product is kitemarked by BSi and is available with four fixed incremental depths – 30/40/50/60mm – for two clear openings – 600/675mm – and is designed for use with both Wrekin’s Highway manhole cover range and TriStar manhole cover range.
Groundworks and civil engineering contractor NRI Civils has been trialling the ClickLift™ ironwork raising system with its clients. Contracts manager Adam Moody said: “I was delighted with the ease and simplicity with which it can be installed on site. The time, cost and disruption saved by this innovative solution will prove to be of great advantage of our groundworks team.”