What size is my cover?

How to measure a cover:

1) The most important thing to consider when measuring a cover is understanding that Manhole Covers & Drain Covers are made to sit on top of an underground chamber or a hole in the ground.
2) The second most important thing to consider is that Manhole Covers & Drain Covers are produced and supplied with a frame which must be concreted in, the cover will then sit within this frame. 
It is important to determine the size of the chamber which a manhole cover is for; this is so the frame sits neatly on top & is fully supported by the chamber wall or brickwork. A tape measure or a suitable measuring device should be used to take a reading of the two opposing faces of the chamber wall or brickwork. These dimensions are known as the clear opening and are normally 45x45cm, 60x45cm or 60x60cm - there are larger chamber sizes but again they fall into standard sizes unless they are special designs for specific tasks i.e. Septic Tanks or Sewage Treatment Plants etc.

TIPS:
1) If you are measuring an existing cover, remove the lid to expose the underground chamber
2) Measure the brickwork or wall of the underground chamber as highlighted in our image above
3) Remember 95% of all underground chambers are built to standard sizes....regardless of how old they are

NEVER:
1) Measure over the top of an existing cover (lid) unless it cannot be removed
2) Lift the lid out and measure the metal frame or the metal sealing upstand
3) Drop a cover on your toe...it hurts!