Manhole covers: better quality brings added value

Mike Hall, National Sales Manager, Clark Drain reviews how overall standards of quality in drainage products have risen over the last decade.

Overall standards of quality in drainage products have risen over the last decade.

Higher production standards, more informed customers and the introduction of more regulations and standards, primarily designed to improve safety, have all helped in this respect.

Good working relationships between some suppliers and authorities within the building industry have also helped to raise standards.

Yet, as we approach the half way mark in another decade, this industry in common with many others is faced with a tendency for prices to be driven down.

If this trend continues it could destroy the progress that has been made.

Cutting price at the expense of quality is a no-win situation for all parties - inferior products inevitability will mean inferior performance, resulting in dissatisfied customers and in the longer term mistrust of the drainage supplier to be able to provide a quality solution.

In spite of the impact of new regulations, such as Part H of the Building Regulations and despite the introduction of approvals such as those provided by LANTAC, overall there are not enough guidelines or standards in place.

The result is that some manufacturers can choose to introduce cheaper products with performance levels well below what they could be - yet still claim they are on a par with more expensive versions.

There is nothing illegal in this approach, but more regulatory standards would encourage greater product quality.

Polypropylene and steel manhole covers as well as recessed block paving manhole covers are areas of particular concern.

Some manufacturers are demonstrating the product quality levels that can be achieved in the manufacture of these products, whilst others are not trying to achieve them - simply to reduce costs.

So the message to distributors, contractors, housebuilders, specifiers and even homeowners, is to realise that cheaper products offer disappointing performance.

For a few pence more, products are available with vastly superior features and benefits.

In the case of block paving manhole covers, the cover is frequently the finishing touch to an expensive block laying exercise.

So why skint on the finishing touches that can make the job complete? Features such as integral lifting keys, high quality galvanised steel cover, the ability to easily remove the cover, a design to stop the cover jamming into its frame and a flange design which will ensure the solid bonding of the frame to groundwork - these can all be provided for a minimal premium but are frequently not offered with inferior products.

Better quality brings added value.

In the case of polypropylene manhole covers there is no more than a 10-15% price difference between inferior and higher quality products - a difference on a typical cover of around 75p.

Yet the differences in quality between the two could not be more marked.

Buyers should ask questions about any seeming bargains:.

* Is continuity of supply in place?.

* Are items available ex-stock and just on time?.

* Is a full range available?.

* Are covers and frames interchangeable to reduce yard storage and installation problems?.

* Is an ISO 9000 quality system in place?.

* Is there technical back up?.

* Is there quality control of the raw materials?.

* Have any patents or design rights been infringed?.

But of course the actual cost of purchase of a drainage item, whilst important on the order form, is only part of the story.

Then there is also the potential additional cost of refurbishment or maintenance costs where an unsuitable item has been used for a particular application.

Health and safety related differences are significant.

Features such as captive locking, a fastening design that ensures the cover is located securely in its frame and the comfort that the cover will not slip off the chamber are normally standard from reputable merchandisers but frequently missing from inferior ones.

Similarly, the quality of manufacture, reliability and longevity in performance also need to be considered.

With inferior covers, look out for the use of recycled poor quality thermoplastics which can result in the cover not sitting level or firmly in the frame.

There is no legally binding standard that governs the method of testing the rating of a steel or polypropylene cover.

Therefore one 35Kn rated driveway manhole cover may have undergone for more stringent procedure testing than another.

Those which have undergone more exacting tests will often be those that are clearly marked with the manufacturer's name and product code for traceability.

Steel manhole covers can suffer from a similar discrepancy in quality and performance levels - often for a price differential as low as 30p.

Again the lack of national standards on loading are relevant and again better quality covers are likely to have full traceability.

They will also benefit from features such as a high quality galvanised finish with better tread patterns for improved slip resistance.

There will be no signs of poorly spot welded, Galvafroid corners on frames which are likely to be a point of future trouble.

Instead, a high strength polypropylene frame is likely to be supplied.

Lifting handles too should be a cause for concern - avoid covers that are spot welded and give little room for hands to lift.

Avoid too those covers with a pronounced gap between cover and frame which will not prevent the ingress of unwanted objects.

These are just some to the differences between high quality and low quality covers - yet price differential is minimal.

If one goes on to consider the actual source of supply of covers it becomes clears that the added value offered in slightly more expensive products is undeniable.

The reputation of the manufacturer and its experience in the drainage industry should be considered.

Long standing companies have, over a period of time, developed an extensive product portfolio to provide customers with value solutions for many different types of application.

They appreciate the need to provide a series of alternative product types and load classes to the supply chain.

This enables all parties, including merchants and contractors, to supply the end user the best value product.

These value suppliers, such as Clark-Drain, continuously recognise the need to be competitive resulting in continuously evolving design and quality production techniques, embracing investment in the latest manufacturing technology.

Some have also continuously worked with regulatory authorities in raising standards and introducing new guidelines.

Such companies will provide excellent levels of technical support, good technical literature and installation guides.

They will also have invested heavily in product development and research, the most up to date manufacturing techniques and provide fast delivery.

And finally, when the covers turn up at the merchant's depot, take a look at the packaging.

Many would argue that the way covers are delivered reflects the quality.

They should be correctly palletised and metal banded, clearly marked and not looking like they have just fallen off the vehicle.

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