Everything You Need To Know About Manholes

Have you ever crossed a manhole before? Imagine you were walking to a destination, and you see that there are metal covers all over the road and sidewalk. Have you ever wondered what they are, and where do they lead to? These are some questions that people usually either are curious about, or they don’t really have the time to think of it. Manholes are so common that people tend to forget that they are an essential part of the modern city’s infrastructure and schematics. 

What Are Manholes?

Basically, manholes are access points that are used to get to the sewer pipelines and stormwater lines located under the surface. There are several needs of manholes in a city. First, manholes are used to aid the inspections of stormwater and sewer systems. These manholes are also used for maintenance purposes which include the removal of certain obstructions and cleaning of those obstructions to allow proper flow of substances. Second, manholes are used to facilitate the ventilation of the sewage systems located below, and release the gases through these holes. Third, manholes are also utilised in ensuring that the stormwater and sewer systems are laid according to the stated lengths. Finally, manholes allow the municipality to integrate with the systems, alter the directions of these systems, or align the stormwater and sewer systems. 

Types of Manholes

There is no one type of manhole. There are three main types of manholes, and they are called shallow, normal and deep manholes. The manholes are classified into these three categories based on the size of the systems and the functions of the manhole. Shallow manholes are also called inspection chambers. These manholes are usually two to three feet deep from the surface. Other than that, they are placed at the beginning of a stormwater branch or sewer branch. You can find them in areas that have less traffic and vehicles. 

Normal manholes are usually one-hundred and fifty centimetres deep from the surface. These manholes can be found directly above the stormwater and sewer lines. Plus, they are covered with heavy manhole covers that come in a rectangular or square shape. Next, you have deep manholes. These manholes are usually deeper than one-hundred fifty centimetres. There are two main features of a deep manhole which include a heavy manhole cover and a built-in ladder. Since they are so deep into the earth, they can only be accessed with a ladder that is sturdy and reliable.

Where can you find manholes?

Manholes can be found all over the place, and they don’t usually have a set area. However, here are the most common places where you can find a manhole. If there is a change in stormwater and sewer line size, you can find them there. If you are at a junction of two stormwater and sewer lines, there will be a manhole. If the stormwater and sewer line alignment changes, you can also find them here.Lastly, you can find them at the grads of where stormwater and sewer lines change. 

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