The speed of traffic, wheel type and the physical position (turning area)

should all be assessed.

EN124-2 and CEN

European Standard EN124 applies to all situations, road and off-road and all
materials. Products designed to EN124 are grouped and classified depending on their
place of installation.
CLASS A15
Areas inaccessible to motor vehicles

CLASS B125
Footways, pedestrian areas etc.
CLASS C250
Gully tops in kerbside channels of roads

CLASS D400
Carriageways of roads (Heavy Duty)
CLASS E600
Areas imposing high wheel loads

CLASS F900
Areas imposing particularly high wheel loads

CEN is the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) is a public standards

organization whose mission is to foster the economy of the European Single Market
and the wider European continent in global trading, the welfare of European citizens
and the environment by providing an efficient infrastructure to interested parties for
the development, maintenance and distribution of coherent sets of standards and
specifications.
Manhole cover weight classes
Covers subject to BS EN 124:2015 regulations are rated A15 to F900.

The numbers in the load class code denote ‘kiloNewtons’ that the cover is capable of
withstanding i.e. C250 is capable of withstanding a 250kN load test.

Weight classifications for manholes are as follows:

A15
Pedestrian and cyclist use only

B125
Driveway duty and occasional light traffic such as access only routes
C250
Slow moving cars and vans such as in car parks

D400
Fast moving heavy traffic such as on main roads

E600
Heavy, moving plant and plant with solid tyres such as forklifts in heavy duty areas like
warehouses, docks etc.

F900
Particularly high wheel loads such as airports
Covers rated by FACTA are listed from FACTA A to
FACTA F
All FACTA wheel loads are for moving pneumatic-tyred vehicles. Please check before
ordering that you have the correct load class.
FACTA A
Pedestrian use and up to 5kN wheel loads
FACTA AA
Small vehicles up to 15kN wheel loads
FACTA AAA
Cars up to 25kN wheel loads
FACTA B
Cars and vans up to 50kN wheel loads
FACTA C
Trucks up to 65kN wheel loads
FACTA D
Articulated lorries up to 108kN wheel loads
FACTA E
Heavy, moving plant up to 158kN wheel loads
FACTA F
Aircraft and heavy plant up to 237kN wheel loads
Types of manhole seals
Single seal

Most standard manhole covers have a single seal which is applied to the cover and frame.
This seal can be sealant or neoprene strips. This type of seal is usually sufficient to create an
airtight seal.

Double seal

This is, in effect, a doubling of the seals above, but forms a comprehensive airtight seal, so
long as that seal isn’t under any pressure. This sort of seal is best suited to internal sewage
manholes.

No seal

Some covers have no airtight seals but slot into place. These are often called “plain seated”.
Perfect for access to cables and utilities and where smells are not going to be an issue. These
types also tend to be more cost effective.

Types of locks and badges

Need your manhole locked? As an extra security measure, you have the ability to have a
locking mechanism installed into the cover. Ask at the time of ordering if you need locks for
your manhole covers.
What Is Manhole Badging?
Badging your manhole can be a convenient way of telling workers what’s accessible within
the manhole without the need to open it. Having “gas” or “FW” (foul water) clearly visible
on a manhole can save valuable time and effort in the future. If you need your manhole
covers badged, please ask at the time of ordering.