FACTA (Fabricated Access Covers Trade Association) is actively working with BSI to introduce new standards and assist in the revision of existing standards for access covers.
The current British and European standard for gully tops and manhole tops for vehicle and pedestrian areas with a clear opening up to 1000mm is BS EN 124 and was published in 1994. It is essentially a standard for cast iron products that took little account of other materials with elastic properties, such as steels and aluminium alloys
BS EN 124:1994 is currently under review and was mandated by CEN (the European committee for standardisation) to include provision for new materials and to include load bearing capacity, child safety, skid resistance and reaction to fire as part of the essential characteristics for the standard.
Work on generating a new draft continues and the committee has faced considerable challenges that have arisen. FACTA remain committed to contribute the production of a standard that is fair and appropriate for industry needs.
In the meantime, FACTA does have its own Specification for access covers for use in non-highway applications and accommodates the elastic behaviour of covers manufactured from steels and aluminium. Importantly, the Specification contains two additional Load Classes – AA and AAA to sensibly bridge the wide gulf between A15 and B125 as set out in BS EN 124 to provide reliable and economic solutions for these applications.
FACTA also played a pivotal role in the publication of BS 9124 – the specification for steel and aluminium covers with a clear opening of over 1000mm and also BS 5834 – surface boxes, guards and underground chambers for utility purposes.
The following companies are members of FACTA:
Aco Building Drainage, Aquacast (Fabrications) Ltd, Bilco UK & Europe, Clark-Drain Ltd, Durey Castings, Fabweld Steel Products Ltd, Galco Steel Ltd, Kent Stainless (Wexford) Ltd, R&B UK JT Limited, Peter Savage Ltd, Steelway Brickhouse, Surespan Limited and FSP Wrekin Welding & Fabrication Engineering Limited.
Further information on the Association and its members can be obtained by contacting FACTA on 01827 52337 or visiting its website at:
www.facta.org.uk
