PRESS RELEASE
Incledon range of polymer resin manhole covers reduce the risk of theft
A lightweight and durable range of NMC polymer resin manhole covers,available locally through Incledon, provide engineering contractors and municipalities with a cost-effective and reliable alternative to industry-standard cast iron.
23 February, 2012:Municipalities in South Africa can significantly reduce the ever-present threat of manhole cover theft by making use of a range of innovative polymer resin manhole covers, distributed nationwide by leading fluid conveyance solutions provider, Incledon.
Incledon national product manager for civils, Kelly Wilson points out that Incledon is adistributor of the polymer resin products, which have been manufactured locally since 1992 by Cape Town based National Manhole Covers (NMC).
“NMC manhole covers are manufactured from a composite material that is bound together by resin and fibreglass, which has no scrap value whatsoever.This material can prove to be invaluable for local municipalities, as the biggest challenge with traditional cast iron manhole covers is the fact that they can be sold for up to R500 at local scrap dealers,” he explains. “This problem is further aggravated by a steady rise in steel prices, which results in an increasing number of thieves in South Africa being tempted into stealing cast iron manhole covers in large cities and small towns.”
Wilson notes that in a recent survey carried out by a number manhole cover suppliers and users,it was revealed that more than 61000 cast iron manhole covers were stolen in the four largest municipalities in South Africa between 2005 and 2010. “An increase in cast iron manhole cover theft results in unnecessary claims and lawsuits being lodged against municipalities as a result of loss to property and injuries caused by open manholes. What’s more, cars are damaged when driving into open manholes and, in the worst case scenarios, people are seriously injuredfrom falling into manholes,” he continues.
In addition to its profitless scrap value, Wilson highlights the fact that NMC polymer resin manhole covers are compliant with SANS 1882 2003 specifications, which were established to recognise the need for an alternative material to cast iron and concrete, and to provide municipalities with a better choice in product to cater for their individual needs.
“According to the minimum criteria set by the SABS, a heavy-dutypolymer concrete manhole cover should be able to withstand a load of up to 13 500 kg. This minimum weight surpasses the maximum wheel load required and enforced by the National Department of Transport,” he adds.
Although polymer resin manhole covers have been available in the local market for almost 20 years, Wilson points out that the products have started to make significant inroads in South Africaduring the past ten years, thanks to its price competitiveness and flexibility in design.
“Polymer resin was discovered in Germany in the early 1950s, when the application was tested on manhole covers, and has become internationally-recognised as a high-quality, yet low-risk alternative to cast iron. A polymer resin manhole cover costs around 40 per cent less than a similar manhole made form cast iron; thereby, enabling the buyer to swiftly and economically address a backlog of open manholes,” he explains. “What’s more, polymer resin manholes can be custom made to fit open frames, as opposed to the cast iron option – where the entire frame has to be removed and replaced.”
Wilson says that NMC polymer resin manhole covers are also ideally-suited to telecommunications companies, due to the fact they come standard with an interchangeable locking device, which ensures that valuable cables beneath the cover are also protected from theft.
He notes that the NMC range has proven to be particularly popular among municipalities. “As more infrastructural development takes place nationwide, municipalities and civil engineering contractors are beginning to identify the need for a cost-effective solution to cast iron. As a result, Incledon has seen an increase in demand for the NMC range over the past few years.”
Looking to the future, Wilson is confident of gaining significant market share with the NMC range. “NMC manhole covers can be custom-built to individual specifications and, due to the fact that specifications vary between individual municipalities, I anticipate that demand to steadily rise into the foreseeable future,” he concludes.
Ends
Notes to the Editor
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About Incledon
Incledon stocks over 14 000 preferred products and provides a wide range of approved and highly recognised brands of pipes, fittings, valves, flanges, rigid pipe working tools & threading machines, HDPE, compression fittings, pumps, electro-fusion fittings, windmills, sprinkler systems, water meters, residential, commercial & golf irrigation systems, plumbing products and related products used in the engineering, mining, municipal, civil, plumbing merchant and irrigation markets. Incledon supplies products utilised in the conveyance of water, gases and liquids.
Incledon Contact Details
Kelly Wilson
National Product Manager for Civils
Tel: (011) 323 0800
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