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.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Study reveals high levels of US motorcyclist fatalities
    April 26, 2013
    A report by the US Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) estimates that motorcyclist deaths increased around 9% in 2012, with over 5,000 killed. This is greater than had been expected by the US Government and if the data is confirmed, 2012 will be the 14th out of the last 15 years in which motorcyclist fatalities have increased. This shocking data is in marked contrast to US road fatalities overall, which have dropped. Motorcyclists remain one of the few roadway user groups where no safety improvemen
    Read More
  • New software makes road marking applications easier
    February 17, 2012
    Equipment, materials and testing combine to offer motorists better road markings as Patrick Smith reports Drivers realise that clear road markings, particularly in darkness and during the wet, are life-savers, offering guidance and direction. Manufacturers of marking materials, in-road studs, and testing and laying equipment have spent years perfecting solutions to make such markings easier to place; easier to see through the use of a variety of materials, and longer lasting. Sophisticated testing equip
    Read More
  • ERF sets out sign inspection guidelines
    December 27, 2024
    The European Union Road Federation suggests that its checklist - downloadable for free - is included in any existing tools for road safety inspection and audits that road agencies may have.
    Read More
  • ACO curbs the rain
    November 20, 2023

    ACO says its KerbDrain CycleKerb drainage solution for bike lanes in England meets LTN 1/20 standards while making travel safer for all cycle lane users.

    Local Transport Note 1/20 (LTN 1/20) sets out minimum standards for English local authorities and highway engineers when implementing new cycle infrastructure. It includes, but is not limited to, cycle crossings and junctions, cycle lanes, cycle tracks, cycle networks and cycle parking.

    Read More

Highlighted Content