FAQ
Is FIBERTOP manhole cover in FRP as resistant as the one made of cast iron?
M.M.’s FRP manhole cover is certified for A15 – B125 – C250 – D400 load classes as established by the EN 124:2015 standard “Gully tops and manhole tops for vehicular and pedestrian areas”.
The new EN 124:2015 standard addresses some of the missing issues of the previous versions regarding manhole covers, and it refers now to the new materials which are currently in the market, along with new tests considered useful to ensure safety of people and things.
The 2015 version has been subdivided into six parts: part 1, general, refers to the definition of vehicular and pedestrian circulation classes, the design principles and the performance requirements for the manhole covers which are common to the other parts of the norm, in contrast to the sections referring to the performance requirements for the products made of specific materials such as: cast iron in part 2, steel and aluminum alloy in part 3, reinforced concrete in part 4, composite materials in part 5 and, lastly, polypropene (PP), polyethylene (PE) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC-U) in part 6.
M.M.’s FRP manhole cover has passed the same load tests as its equal made of cast iron, therefore it is certainly resistant to loads in the same way a traditional cast-iron cover is.
Thus, they fall within the following classifications:
GROUP 1 (minimum class A15, ultimate tensile strength > 15kn – 1,5 tons.) For use in areas where only pedestrians and cyclists have access.
GROUP 2 (minimum class B125, ultimate tensile strength> 125kn – 12,5 ton.) For use in areas where only very light vehicles have access, pedestrian areas, sidewalks, parking areas, multi-story car parks.
GROUP 3 (minimum class C250, ultimate tensile strength> 250kn – 25 tons.) For use in car parks, forecourts, industrial sites and areas with slow moving traffic.
GROUP 4 (minimum class D400, ultimate tensile strength> 400kn – 40 tons.) For use in areas where cars and trucks have access, including carriageways, hard shoulders and pedestrian areas.
