From Base to Cover Slab in 36 minutes! - Wide wall manhole chamber a hit with Wiltshire contractor

Westmode Building and Civil Engineering Ltd, a major ground works and civils contractor in the South West, has recently completed the build of FP McCann’s 2 metre Easi-Manhole chamber in a impressive 36 minutes.  Westmode has adopted FP McCann's innovative manhole system on a prestigious Taylor Wimpey housing scheme in Hampshire.

Working on roads and sewers, Westmode are installing a total of 13 DN 1200 Easi-Base units in combination with DN1200 wide wall manhole rings to form the manhole chambers at The Brambles development in Denmead.

The precast concrete manhole system incorporates the successful WRc approved DN1200 polypropylene lined Easi-Base with the recently launched 130mm wide-wall chamber ring available in four section depths (1000/750/500/250mm).  The robust design provides a durable, water-tight installation with the requirement for a ready mix concrete surround eliminated.

Speed, ease of build and the resulting increased site productivity, are all major benefits on offer from the Easi Manhole system.  From base to cover slab and backfilled, a typical 3 metre completed unit can be in place and secure in under 1 hour.  Traditional methods of chamber construction involving the curing of wet concrete and mortar can typically take up to 40 hours.

Observing the efficiencies of the Easi-Manhole, Neil Hancock of Westmode comments, “The Easi-Manhole system has undoubtedly helped to speed up pipe laying thereby increasing site productivity.  The preformed benched and channeled base unit significantly reduces time spent in the excavation with little 'snagging' of the chamber required prior to formal adoption by the water company.”

The Easi Manhole has been chosen by Westmode because of its durability, speed of installation and the elimination of a concrete backfill surround, but the benefits and advantages of using the system are numerous.  Key to its success are the following:

• An extremely fast, efficient and economical method of manhole construction
• Significant Health and Safety benefits
• An immediate secure watertight structure allowing for other trades to instantly follow on
• Factory pre-fabrication of Easi-Base provides quality in channelling and benching and enables accurate combinations and variations for entry/exit pipes
• 130mm Wide Wall chamber rings eliminate the need for concrete backfilling
• Maintenance of channels and benches aided by clean access for inspection
• Environmental benefits from re-using excavated materials
• A Guaranteed system

FP McCann has recently launched the DN1500 and DN 1800 wide wall chamber units.

To view an installation of the Easi-Manhole chamber visit:

www.youtube.com/fpmccann