With the increasing number of underground work places, and several of these requiring access for persons and equipment, an opening of at least 1 metre, sometimes much larger is needed. With growing attention to safety at work (especially in the construction industry) it is important to have a rationalised approach to the design, testing and user safety of this type of product.
These items are large versions of ‘manhole covers’, which are lifted by machinery (which can be integral or brought to site and used to do the lifting). They provide access for equipment as well as personnel, and can be set into surfaces used by pedestrians and vehicles.
BS 9124 specifies requirements for access cover systems manufactured from steel or aluminium and with a clear opening greater than 1 m for installations within areas subject to pedestrian and/or slow moving vehicular traffic, for use as covers over chambers and ducts.
BS 9124 provide as basis for consistent quality, user safety, customer satisfaction and manufacturer discipline, in a highly fragmented market.
BS 9124 establishes definitions, materials, design, structural performance, technical documentation, installation and operating guidance notes, warning notes, testing requirements, verification and marking of such access cover systems.
Who should use BS 9124?
- Manufacturers
- Architects
- Consulting engineers
- Building consultants
- Contractors
- Clients
- Water companies
- Local authorities
- Petroleum industry
- Gas industry