Have you ever noticed when you’re walking down the street that manholes seem to be all over the place? According to the EPA, there are actually around 20,000,000 in the US alone.
If you’re unfamiliar with industrial manholes, they may all look the same to you. After all, from the outside, they look like a hole in the ground with a metal lid on top.
However, if you’re getting into the industry or just want to learn more, you should know that there are distinctions between each type that may help you understand the entire system a little better.
Keep reading to learn the top differences between these main types of manholes.
Normal Manholes
Also called sewage manholes, these are the typical precast manholes (although they can be made of other materials, too) that you would see being used for a sewage or drainage water line. They have a hard lid on the top that covers them.
Typically, you’ll see these in a rectangular or square shape. They go down about 5 feet and are wide enough for the average human to fit into.
Deep Manholes
This manhole will go further than 5 feet deep and will require a ladder built into the side to help personnel enter and exit as needed. The lid that covers a deep manhole is also going to be very thick compared to the other options because of how far down the manhole actually goes uncovered.
Shallow Manholes
A shallow manhole will be between 2 or 3 feet deep. This manhole is a little less common, but it is usually placed at the start of a sewer or a drainage water conduit passage. They also are used in areas that don’t have a lot of traffic.
Typically, a shallow manhole will be used for maintenance work only. The lid for this type of manhole is generally not as heavy as those used for other types.
How Do You Know Which Type of Manhole You Need?
The only way to tell which will be the best manholes for your project is to consider why the manhole is being constructed. The main reasons that a manhole would be created include:
- Joining sewers together
- Changing the direction of a sewer
- Inspecting, cleaning, or removing debris from sewage lines
- Allow gases to escape for ventilation
- Provide better alignment of the sewage system
Based on the project at hand, the construction team will be able to determine if the location is appropriate for one type of manhole over the other. For instance, if the area is a very busy street that connects to a sewage line with heavy use, a deeper manhole with a round cover may be more appropriate.
Take Note of the Types of Manholes Around Your City
Each of the types of manholes has pros and cons depending on what the city needs it for. Figuring out which one is the best option for construction or industrial work takes some effort because it’s important to build a manhole that functions as needed and is safe for the general public and personnel.
Did you find this content helpful? If so, be sure to check out the rest of our website for more like this.
