Manholes – Types, Purpose, Construction & Maintenance

Manholes are underground structures that provide access to cables, pipes, wires, and sewers. They are essential for maintenance and repair work on these utilities.

The Purpose of Manholes

Manholes serve as openings into underground chambers containing utility lines, ensuring safe access for workers. They are crucial for maintaining our safety and the city’s utility systems.


How Are Manholes Made?

Manholes are mostly made of concrete, but there are different types depending on their purpose and size. Here’s an overview:

Type Description
Round Common, small, easy to handle.
Cast Iron/Ductile Iron Machine-cast, standard or special types.
Dry Pipes/Wet Pipes Dry pipes separate from underground water, wet pipes in contact with it.
Different Shapes Can be round, oval, square, or polygonal.

Different Types of Manholes

Manholes come in various types based on depth:

Shallow Manhole

  • Depth: Up to 90 cm
  • Purpose: Inspection chamber at branch sewer start, light cover.

Normal Manhole

  • Depth: 90-150 cm
  • Purpose: Covered with a heavy lid.

Deep Manhole

  • Depth: Greater than 150 cm
  • Purpose: Large and has a permanent ladder.

Purpose of Manholes

Different manhole types serve different purposes:

Sanitary Sewer Manhole : Entry/exit for a sanitary sewer.

Storm Sewer Manhole : Entry/exit for a storm sewer, designed to prevent contamination.

Utility Manhole : For locating utility lines like gas, water, cable TV, and more for maintenance.


How to Construct a Manhole

The construction of a manhole depends on its type and load-bearing capacity. It must be waterproofed to prevent water seepage:

  • Heavy-duty manholes use metal grates.
  • Light traffic manholes have lightweight surfaces.
  • Waterproofing with tar or grout.
  • Installation by contractors specializing in underground infrastructure.

Manhole Construction Materials

Manholes can be made from various materials based on usage, location, and cost:

  • Plastic
  • Precast Concrete
  • Fiberglass
  • Mild Steel
  • Brick/Stone Masonry

Maintenance of Manholes

Proper manhole maintenance is essential to prevent issues like flooding and contamination. There are two main aspects:

Manhole Cover

  • Repair or replace damaged covers promptly.
  • Ensure each manhole has a unique identifying number.
  • Some areas may be marked as hazardous.

Cleaning

  • Regular cleaning prevents blockages in water or sewer lines.
  • Cleaning may take several hours, depending on depth.

In summary, manholes are vital for maintaining utility systems, come in various types, and require proper construction and maintenance to ensure safety and functionality.