Pump Station Lids | Pump Stations Direct
The Importance of Pump Station Lids
Pump Station Lids are a required component for every pump station. They can vary in size and type depending on the application. Despite their often-overlooked importance, they ensure upmost safety especially in underground Pump Stations. Throughout this article, we’ll explore the significance of pump station lids, their types, why they are essential in different applications and how to install them correctly.
What Are the Types of Pump Station Lids?
There are different types of Pump Station Lids that are used in different applications, so knowing which one you require is important when selecting your pump station package. Some common lids include:
Hinged Aluminium: These lids are lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and easy to operate, making them suitable for applications requiring frequent access. These are not as effective in areas needing vehicle access and worth reviewing its design as some designs can present trip hazards (such as protruding hinges or locking mechanisms).
Cast Iron: Known for their durability and strength, cast iron lids are ideal for heavy-duty applications and provide excellent load-bearing capacity. They are industry standard for vehicle access and can be modified for decorative or architectural needs such as tile and paving infill versions or concrete infill versions, allowing for coloured or decorative concrete to be added.
Galvanised Grate: Grates offer entry point for surface drainage and are robust, making them suitable for stormwater environments where both durability and water flow are important considerations. These are not preferred for sewer networks as odours and vapours can escape from chambers so are typically used for stormwater networks only.
What are the different lid ratings and what do they mean?
The ratings of our lids indicate the load rating it can take. There are two ratings we use: Class B and Class D. Class B lids are often referred to as medium-duty lids and are designed to withstand lighter loads compared to Class D lids, which are used in heavy-duty applications.
Class B lids have a load rating of 2,670kg (according to the mascot engineering Load classification AS3996) and are usually applied in areas with light vehicle traffic, maintenance vehicles, small boats, and small tractors or lawnmowers. Here are the typical applications for Class B lids:
- Pedestrian Areas
- Residential Driveways
- Light Vehicular Traffic
- Cycle Paths and Bike Lanes
- Landscaped Areas
- Public Gardens and Parks
- School Grounds
Class D lids have a load rating of 8,000kg (according to the mascot engineering Load classification AS3996). They are designed to withstand heavy loads and are suitable for applications involving significant vehicular and industrial traffic. Here are the typical applications for Class D lids:
- Highways
- Roadways with high traffic
- Warehouses
- Commercial Loading Bays
- Bus Terminals
- Mine Sites
- Truck washdown bays
How do I install my Pump Station Lid?
Hinged aluminium lids and light-duty grates are fitted to our poly pump station packages in the factory to make site installation easier. However, with the cast iron lids and heavy-duty galvanised grates, the installation of these typically occur onsite during install. Both lids are required to be concreted into an INSITU concrete collar or cast as part of site paving/slab. When cast into a collar as part of precast or INSITU chamber, the collar (or cover slab) is sized to sit above the concrete walls which will support the load on the lid. When a lid is being installed into a collar above the poly chamber that is not designed to be load bearing, the chamber is threaded like a ‘void’, and the collar or slab must be oversized so the edges of the slab rest comfortably on virgin soil. When this can’t be done due to expected soil movement onsite, creating INSITU concrete walls or pillars may be preferrable. It is worth confirming if civil engineers on each project prior to install to confirm your site requirements. The chamber must be set down into the ground an extra 200mm further to allow for this. These methods ensure the weight is distributed into the ground and not the chamber, otherwise the chamber may fracture.
The chamber may also need to be encased in concrete if high water table is present. High water table refers to the water found in the ground that may be higher than the base of the chamber. Ways around this include anchoring the chamber down with a ballast block creating an extended toe on the chamber or alternatively encasing the chamber in concrete, as previously mentioned. Stabilised sand is another alternative backfill method if concrete isn’t suitable.
Use our Online Pump Station Selection Tool to start your selection and add the correct pump station lid to your package today.