Compotec MH-100
Manhole Cover (Ø 600 mm) with jointed hinge system.
- Shape:
- Round
- Diameter:
- Ø 600mm
- Available Classes:
- D400, C250, B125
- Weight:
- 44 kg
Composite Manhole Covers
Compotec manufactures fibre-reinforced composite manhole covers and frames for water, wastewater, stormwater, telecom, electrical and municipal networks. Covers are designed in line with EN 124 and supplied in B125, C250 and D400 load classes, in round openings of Ø 550 mm and Ø 600 mm and square openings of 400 x 400 mm and 500 x 500 mm. Hinged and hingeless versions, manual locking, rubber gasket seating, ventilation holes, a wide colour range and customer logo application are available, and every model can be specified per project with a technical quotation.
Manhole Covers Models
Compotec MH-200
Manhole Cover (Ø 550 mm) with jointed hinge system.
- Shape:
- Round
- Diameter:
- Ø 550mm
- Available Classes:
- D400, C250, B125
- Weight:
- 38.5 kg
Compotec MH-300
Manhole Cover (Ø 600 mm) Without Hinges.
- Shape:
- Round
- Diameter:
- Ø 600mm
- Available Classes:
- D400, C250, B125
- Weight:
- 41 kg
Compotec MH-301
Manhole Cover (Ø 600 mm) Without Hinges – Lightweight variant.
- Shape:
- Round
- Diameter:
- Ø 600mm
- Available Classes:
- D400, C250
- Weight:
- 23 kg
Compotec MH-400
Manhole Cover (500mm x 500mm) Square.
- Shape:
- Square
- Dimensions:
- 500mm x 500mm
- Available Classes:
- C250, B125
- Weight:
- 18 kg
Compotec MH-401
Manhole Cover (400mm x 400mm) Square.
- Shape:
- Square
- Dimensions:
- 400mm x 400mm
- Available Classes:
- D400, C250, B125, A15
- Weight:
- 12 kg
Compotec MH-402
Square Cover (760mm x 760mm).
- Shape:
- Square
- Dimensions:
- 760mm x 760mm
- Available Classes:
- D400, C250, B125, A15
- Weight:
- 18 kg
Compotec MH-500
Telecom Cover (600mm x 800mm).
- Shape:
- Rectangular
- Dimensions:
- 600mm x 800mm
- Available Classes:
- D400, C250
- Weight:
- 31 kg
What is a composite manhole cover?
A composite manhole cover is an access cover produced from fibre-reinforced polymer instead of cast iron or concrete. Compotec uses GRP and SMC composite construction, in which glass fibre reinforcement carries the load and the polymer matrix protects the structure against water, wastewater and chemically aggressive environments.
The cover closes an underground chamber, carries the traffic load that passes over it and allows maintenance teams to reach the network below. Because the load is carried by the composite laminate rather than by a heavy metal casting, the same clear opening can be produced at a considerably lower unit weight while keeping its shape under service conditions.
Advantages of composite manhole covers
The advantages below are the properties stated for Compotec models in the product catalogue; the exact set for each model is listed on its own product page.
- Corrosion resistance — composite does not rust in wastewater, coastal or chemically aggressive chambers, which is the most common failure mode of cast iron in urban networks.
- Reduced weight — Compotec states its composite covers as three times lighter than the metal versions, which makes handling and reinstatement on site safer.
- No scrap value — composite has no resale value as scrap, which removes the financial incentive behind cover theft and the open shafts it leaves behind.
- Low maintenance — there is no painting or rust treatment cycle, and the material keeps its dimensional stability in service.
- Low noise — noise under traffic is minimal compared with metal versions.
- Handling and installation — lighter units mean easier transport, easier assembly, and hinged models that open up to 180° or 200° depending on the model.
- Specification options — manual lock system, rubber gasket, 4–6 ventilation holes, a wide colour range and customer logo application.
Composite manhole cover load classes
The load class states the traffic the cover is intended for at its installation point. Compotec manhole cover models are offered in B125, C250 and D400. Always specify the class that matches the actual traffic at the installation point rather than the average traffic of the street.
| Load class | Test load | Typical use | Compotec models |
|---|---|---|---|
| B125 | 125 kN | Footways, pedestrian zones and comparable car parking areas | MH-100, MH-200, MH-300, MH-400 |
| C250 | 250 kN | Kerbside and gutter zones alongside carriageways | MH-100, MH-200, MH-300, MH-301, MH-400 |
| D400 | 400 kN | Carriageways, hard shoulders and parking areas for all vehicle types | MH-100, MH-200, MH-300, MH-301, MH-400 |
Compotec composite manhole cover models
The model list above shows the covers in this family with their shape, clear opening, weight and available classes. Round models cover Ø 550 mm and Ø 600 mm chambers, while square models suit 400 x 400 mm and 500 x 500 mm valve, meter and utility chambers.
Hinged models such as MH-100 and MH-200 keep the cover attached to the frame during maintenance; hingeless models such as MH-300 and MH-301 are fully removable where a clear opening is preferred. MH-301 is the lightweight version of the Ø 600 mm hingeless cover at 23 kg, and MH-400 is the 500 x 500 mm square model at 18 kg.
How to select the right composite manhole cover
Work through the following in order, then confirm the selection against the project specification.
- Application area — footway, kerbside, carriageway, industrial yard or landscaped area.
- Traffic load — the vehicles that actually cross the cover, which determines B125, C250 or D400.
- Clear opening — the working opening needed for maintenance access to the chamber.
- Overall dimensions — the frame footprint the chamber structure can accommodate.
- Frame type — the seating and bedding arrangement of the existing or new chamber.
- Locking — whether a manual lock is required for the location.
- Gasket — rubber gasket seating where seating noise or seal is a consideration.
- Project specification — any client or municipality requirement for colour, marking or logo application.
Composite versus cast iron manhole covers
The comparison below uses only properties stated in the Compotec catalogue for its own products alongside the well-known behaviour of cast iron; it does not make service-life or cost claims that are not documented.
| Property | Compotec composite | Cast iron |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion | Does not corrode | Corrodes in wet and aggressive environments |
| Weight | Three times lighter than the metal version | Heavy for the same clear opening |
| Scrap value | None, so no theft incentive | Resale value as scrap metal |
| Noise under traffic | Minimal compared with metal versions | Audible cover rattle is common |
| Maintenance | No painting or rust treatment | Periodic corrosion treatment |
| Colour and marking | Wide colour range, logo application available | Limited to coating |
Where composite manhole covers are used
Municipal water and wastewater chambers, stormwater networks, telecom and fibre chambers, electrical distribution pits, industrial facilities, road and highway infrastructure, logistics yards, and landscaped or pedestrian areas.
Standards and technical documents
Compotec manhole covers are designed in line with EN 124, and the load class of each model is stated on its product page. Full technical data, dimensions and model codes are published in the Compotec catalogue available on this site. For documentation required by a specific tender or specification, contact the technical team so the correct records can be issued for that project.
Real projects and applications
Compotec covers are supplied to live infrastructure works, including telecommunications chamber projects in Istanbul. Project and operations records with photographs are published in the news and projects section of this site.
Let us define the right product for your project
Send the chamber opening, the traffic at the installation point and the quantity required, and the technical team will confirm the suitable model and issue a project quotation. Technical support is available for specification wording, colour and logo application.
Related Technical Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a composite manhole cover?
- It is an access cover produced from fibre-reinforced polymer instead of cast iron. Compotec uses GRP and SMC construction, in which the glass fibre reinforcement carries the load and the polymer matrix resists water and chemically aggressive environments.
- Where are D400 composite manhole covers used?
- D400 is specified for carriageways, hard shoulders and parking areas used by all vehicle types. Compotec offers D400 versions of MH-100, MH-200, MH-300, MH-301 and MH-400.
- What is the difference between B125, C250 and D400?
- They describe the test load the class is defined for: 125 kN, 250 kN and 400 kN respectively. B125 suits footways and comparable car parking, C250 kerbside and gutter zones, and D400 carriageways.
- How does a composite cover differ from a cast iron cover?
- Composite does not corrode, has no scrap value and is stated as three times lighter than the metal version, with minimal noise under traffic and no painting or rust treatment cycle.
- How do I choose the correct cover size?
- Start from the clear opening needed for maintenance access, then check that the frame footprint fits the chamber structure. Compotec offers Ø 550 mm and Ø 600 mm round models and 400 x 400 mm and 500 x 500 mm square models.
- What affects the price of a composite manhole cover?
- Load class, opening size, model, hinge and locking configuration, colour and logo application, and the project quantity. Pricing is issued per project through a technical quotation.
- Which infrastructure projects use composite manhole covers?
- Water and wastewater networks, stormwater systems, telecom and fibre chambers, electrical distribution, industrial facilities, roads and highways, logistics yards and landscaped areas.
- Can a project logo or specific features be applied?
- Yes. Logo application and a wide colour range are listed as available options for Compotec manhole cover models, together with manual locking, rubber gasket and ventilation hole configurations.