Compliance and classification of the manhole covers and frames (Products in compliance with standard EN124:1994)

The appropriate class of manhole covers to be used depends upon the place of installation. The various places of installation have been divided into groups numbered 1 to 6, as listed below.

GROUP 1:(class A 15 minimum) Test 1.5 metric ton
Areas which can only be use by pedestrians and pedal cyclists.

GROUP 2:(class B 125 minimum) Test 12.5 metric ton
Footways, pedestrian areas and comparable areas, car parks or car parking decks.

GROUP 3:(class C 250 minimum) Test 25 metric ton
For gully tops installed in the area kerbside channels of roads which when measured from the kerb edge, extend a maximum of 0.5m into the carriageway and a maximum of 0.2m into the footway.

GROUP 4:(class D 400 minimum) Test 40 metric ton
Carriageway of roads (including pedestrian street), hard shoulders and parking areas, for all types of road vehicles.

GROUP 5:(class E 600 minimum) Test 40 metric ton
Areas imposing particularly high wheel loads, e.g. docks, aircraft pavements.

GROUP 6:(class F 900 minimum) Test 90 metric ton
Areas imposing particularly high wheel loads, e.g. Aircraft pavements.

The standard specifies that the designer is responsible for making the appropriate choice of class and where there is any doubt regarding the class to be used, a higher class should be selected.