A unit built underground to enable utilities to be accessed, such as a sewer system, drainage system, etc., is known as a manhole or inspection chamber. Thus, subsurface utilities are examined, altered, cleaned, and maintained with the help of a manhole. Because it eliminates the need for excavation, it is the most crucial component of the sewage line.
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Manhole: Purpose
Manholes are built primarily for trenchless restoration of the sewer system, drainage system inspection, cleaning of clogged lines, and maintenance purposes.
Manholes are also used as a first step for accessing the inside of a sewer line to help diagnose any issues with it and facilitate the replacement of damaged pipes without the need for digging. Up until the end of the main sewer line or drainage point, manholes are positioned throughout the sewer line.
Manhole: Types
The three main types of manholes, depending on the depth, are:
Shallow manhole
A shallow manhole is between 75 and 90 cm deep. These are built close to the beginning of a branching sewer or in a region with little traffic. A small and light cover known as the inspection chamber is attached to the shallow manhole.
Normal manhole
These are available near the sewage line and have a thick cover over them. It is 150 centimetres deep. A typical manhole is square in shape.
Deep manhole
A deep manhole with a hefty cover at the top is available at a depth greater than 150 cm. The capacity for expansion is greater, as is the ability to descend.
Manhole: Materials used for manhole construction
Plastic manholes
Polyethylene is used in the production of plastic manholes. They are produced using a sturdy one-piece design. They are sustainable, don’t pollute the soil or the ground where they’re placed, and do not have any negative effects.
Manholes made of plastic are incredibly corrosion-resistant. These do not deteriorate with time and do not need frequent maintenance and reconstruction. Ladders and other equipment, such as manhole coverings, are included while making these manholes.
Precast concrete manholes
A manhole is often built using the precast concrete manhole method. Thus, this technique guarantees quality and makes faster installation possible. On the construction site, the produced precast manholes are put together.
One of the factors contributing to its overwhelming popularity and extensive use is its greater endurance, with a lifespan of hundred years.
Fibreglass manholes
Fibreglass manholes are designed with a manhole barrel and a cover. Additional characteristics of the fibreglass manhole include a grinder channel, weirs, a stormwater separation device, etc. The manhole is simple to install because the unit is lightweight. Manholes made of fibreglass are extremely robust and environmentally friendly.
FAQs
What is the purpose and function of a manhole?
Manholes are installed to do maintenance, conduct inspections, and remove any obstructions from the sewer line. It is used for tying a sewer pipe together at a junction, adjusting a sewer line's alignment or direction, and modifying a sewer line's gradient.
What is a manhole?
An entry point for workers and materials inside the sewer line is known as a manhole. It is the most crucial part of the sewage line and is also referred to as an inspection chamber or unit since it entirely negates the necessity for digging.
