For decades, Cobro Concrete has prided itself on producing precast concrete manholes and other products, all made to strict SABS standards. What exactly does it take for a manhole to receive SABS approval? Here’s what you need to know.
Main Considerations for SABS Approval in Manhole Production
What sets SABS-approved manholes apart from others? The standards to which we need to adhere are quite detailed and extensive. It is not a simple matter of pre-casting concrete in the right mould. There are several requirements regarding materials and methods. Here is an overview of the key considerations for manholes to receive SABS approval under South African National Standards (SANS) 1882:2003:
Read our blog for more information about SABS-approved concrete products.
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1. Material Selection
To meet SABS standards, manholes must be made from concrete or polymer concrete, reinforced with mild steel and fibreglass for extra strength. The preferred concrete is a high-quality, high-strength mix, usually dolomite aggregate.
2. Manufacturing Method
Specialised methods are required for the casting of both concrete and polymer concrete. The concrete is poured into moulds and vibrated to remove air pockets and ensure that it is as dense and solid as possible. High-performance coatings are also necessary to resist corrosion and water infiltration.
3. Product Design and Specifications
There are different types of manholes for different purposes. Different duty classes are judged with different standards. A medium-duty manhole must be made to different specifications from heavy-duty ones. The exact assessment and approval processes will also depend on the specific application of the manhole, e.g., sewage, water, telecoms, etc.
Cobro Concrete’s SABS-Approved Manholes
Cobro produces several lines of concrete products, all designed and manufactured according to SANS standards and with SABS approval. Our light to heavy-duty manhole shaft sections range from 750-1500mm in diameter, in segments of 250-1000mm. We use only the best quality reinforced concrete, and we have been supplying our manhole sections to a wide variety of end users for many years.
Trust Cobro for Your Concrete Manholes
Cobro is an SABS-approved supplier of pre-cast concrete products. We have been supplying quality pipes, manholes, culverts, barriers and more to South African communities and businesses.
Contact us for more information about Cobro and our products, including SABS-approved manholes.
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