Product category:
Drainage Services
News Release from: Clark-Drain | Subject: Building Regulations for Access Covers
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 09 December 2004
Changes to Building Regs affect access
covers
The changes mean that some conventional PPIC inspection covers no longer comply with the Building Regulations, because they do not lock.
The access cover sitting nearly in the new tarmac driveway was a perfect example of current best-practice, sitting level with the tarmac, and secured - as required by the Building Regs - by three screws to prevent children lifting and tampering with it However, the three covers in the back garden were not such perfect examples but, as the groundwork contractor said, "How often do Building Control Officers look in the back garden?"
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 18 Aug 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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The trouble is, it only needs one child to cut his hands, or someone to trip over the frame while hanging out the washing, and the cost in terms of callbacks and product liability claims could run into millions.
People - especially manufacturers - are always trying to worry builders with the threat of product liability claims.
So why should they worry now? Simply because those who draw up the Building Regulations have decided to change Approved Document H.
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This change is nothing that common sense cannot take care of.
There are small but important additions and, if laying drains and fitting access covers, they are worth a second look.
The new Doc H is about preventing accidents such as those caused when children use galvanized access covers of low quality as mini-trampolines - the cover bends and dents, water collects, and after a few years there is the makings of a rusty man-trap.
It is also about preventing accidents such as those caused when the topsoil settles, the manhole frame is exposed and it can be knocked or kicked from the chamber beneath.
Then there are the accidents like the trapping of little fingers when children lift up unsecured access covers.
The changes are simple and straight-forward.
Firstly, the access frame must now be secured to the chamber beneath - three or four screws straight into the plastic of the chamber wall should be enough.
Secondly, the access cover itself must now be secured to the frame.
Again, screws or bolts will do the job perfectly well.
Thirdly, covers to septic tanks must also now be "lockable or otherwise engineered to prevent personnel access".
Screws or nuts and bolts will again do the job.
The changes do, however, mean that some conventional PPIC inspection covers no longer comply with the Building Regulations, because they do not lock.
Product quality is important because at some stage in the future someone is going to need to get the cover up again.
Until that day, there will be rain and sun, there will be mud and slush and maybe there will be rock salt as well.
It isn't going to be as easy to get nuts undone, or the screws loosened, as it was when installation took place.
So it is as well to think about these things when specifying the product.
The features to look for include large screws as these will ensure they will not get lost during normal wear and tear.
Large slotted heads can be cleared of ground-in much a lot easier than little Posidrive recesses.
A large head also means a large bearing area for the screwdriver.
Look for a frame which sits snugly over the chamber beneath and which has provision to be easily screwed to the chamber itself.
Make sure there is room between the cover and the frame for water to drain away.
Consider using a modern polypropylene cover.
They have no scrap value, unlike cast iron, they will not bend or make a nice 'bonging' sound if children jump on them, and they can usually stand being driven over by the average family car.
Look for a driveway rating of a least 35kN if the product is to be installed in a driveway, otherwise a 15kN rating is adequate for all pedestrian areas.
Some manufacturers now have LANTAC Type-Approval for their access covers.
Basically, this is the Building Control Officer's guarantee that the product is fit for purpose, and a guarantee against any product liability claims arising from faulty design or manufacture.
More Information: Clark-Drain has a full produce enquiry and specification service. Request a free brochure from Clark-Drain ...
For more information, contact Peter Burgess on 01733 765317 or email him at pburgess@clark-drain.com.
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