Lightweight drain covers reduce risk of theft

With scrap metal prices soaring, some European countries are suffering from a spate of drain cover thefts. Serious safety issues arise for road users of all categories as a result of drain cover theft, with utility companies and local councils being left with the additional burden of replacing stolen ductile ironwork. However Ultracrete, part of the Instarmac Group, has a solution in the shape of its recently launched coverTEC range of pedestrian and road composite manhole covers and frames. These lightweig
March 2, 2012 Read time: 2 mins

With scrap metal prices soaring, some European countries are suffering from a spate of drain cover thefts.

Serious safety issues arise for road users of all categories as a result of drain cover theft, with utility companies and local councils being left with the additional burden of replacing stolen ductile ironwork.

However 2492 Ultracrete, part of the 240 Instarmac Group, has a solution in the shape of its recently launched coverTEC range of pedestrian and road composite manhole covers and frames. These lightweight and durable products can take the place of conventional ductile ironwork and eliminate the problem of theft.

The composite covers offer other benefits too as their light weight reduces handling requirements and the risk of installation injuries for personnel, while they also offer improved anti-skid performance.

This last feature is of particular importance to vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists and cyclists, who are at risk during periods of wet or cold weather from conventional iron covers installed in the roadway.

The Ultracrete coverTEC products meet European requirements and the range includes covers and frames. The covers are made from an advanced composite structure of glass fibre and resin, so they are light in weight as well as providing a durable and a safe alternative to conventional ironwork. These composite covers have no scrap value, eliminating the theft problem prevalent in some countries. The covers are also approved by various motorcycling and cycling bodies as a safer alternative to conventional iron products. The coverTEC manhole covers and frames can be used with Ultracrete's range of highway maintenance products and can be installed using the firm's approved reinstatement system. This provides a five year service life guarantee while the fast installation means that a road can be open to traffic within the hour. The new coverTEC range has already been used and trialled across the UK and offers a reduction in replacement costs.

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