Wrekin explores Construction Delays and Manhole Safety
Wrekin Products has launched a manhole cover reducer ring to aid compliance with Part H of the Building Regulations. A reducer ring provides a second line of defence against chambers being accessed by unauthorised people or potential falls if accidentally left uncovered.
Restricting access to manhole covers has long been a legal requirement to provide protection over the life of the manhole top.
However, according to Gosia Kwapisz, product manager at Wrekin, it can still be overlooked.
Gosia said: “While maintaining safety by restricting manhole access is nothing new, there are still compliance issues within the construction industry, which means more needs to be done to uphold safety requirements. All manholes need to be protected before, during and after project completion, with a particular focus right now on ensuring that the vast numbers of partially constructed projects aren’t leaving chambers vulnerable to safety issues.”
To enable scheme designers and contractors to comply with the safety requirements of new developments, Wrekin’s reducer ring ensures compliance with Part H of the Building Regulations and Sewers for Adoption (’The Code’).
Gosia added: “Part H of the Building Regulations (2010) clearly states that any new manhole, with a depth measuring greater than 1.2m from the cover to the invert of the chamber, shall have access restricted to 350mm. At Wrekin, we now offer 350mm reducer rings for 450mm openings. Furthermore, Version 2.1 of The Code (May 2021) also continues to require that manhole tops mounted on chambers more than 1m deep, to pipe soffit of the chamber, restrict the frame opening access.
“This is extremely important as, by doing so, the likelihood of a person accidentally entering the chamber is vastly reduced. Wrekin’s new chamber reducer ring accessory provides the restricted access needed for adoptable inspection chambers.
Designed to fit a wide range of our Highway and Tristar access covers, the ring is straight forward to install and features a non-return catch that locks them in place for peace of mind. What’s more, they can be factory fitted to avoid confusion on site.”
For sites that have neglected to specify a restriction device, it is not too late to rectify, says Gosia: “With our solution you can retrofit reducer rings to standard manhole cover frames, which means customers selecting Wrekin ironwork can be confident that they can make their scheme compliant in future if they happen to overlook installation of these safety accessories when the cover is first put in place.
“In conclusion, construction professionals – such as scheme designers, asset owners, building contractors and merchants – all stand to gain from prioritising safety.”
