Brewer, Maine, Discovers the Importance of the Right Manhole Covers and Gratings
When engineers from the public works department in Brewer, Maine, began planning the construction of a road leading to a new medical center in 2004, one huge concern was the type of manhole covers and gratings that would be specified. Fortunately, the city’s decision makers had seen the QWP road show.
QWP built a demonstration trailer that featured several products from the PAM product line mounted to frames, enabling municipal officials to experience the benefits of the PAM hinged covers and gratings firsthand. One of these demonstrations helped convince Brewer —a town of about 9,000 people— to select REXUS covers and gratings for its medical center project.
Safety first
Safety was the key selling point in the City’s decision. During the QWP demonstration, front-line employees were able to feel the light weight of the covers and interact with the innovative hinged design of the REXUS . Feedback from these participants fueled the decision to choose REXUS .
The operators particularly appreciated the hinged design of the REXUS covers and gratings, which increased efficiency compared to standard alternatives. The physical effort required to lift the covers is reduced by 50 percent, and they are retained in a safe and controlled manner during and after the lift. Also, the ductile iron used in REXUS covers and gratings is 50 percent lighter than comparable cast-iron covers, lowering the potential for back injuries and associated worker compensation claims.
The REXUS also features increased water clearing capacity. With a large waterway area and longitudinal slots running parallel to the curb, the REXUS grating is designed to maximize absorption in both severe and mild flow conditions. Its hinged design ensures that the unit can be opened easily for routine cleaning, even when debris and sediment have been packed in between the grating and the frame. The grating is also made so it can be closed safely and without the risk of being dropped into the catch basin.
The results
After 41 gratings and 22 covers were installed during the 2004 road project, Brewer’s public works department decided to designate REXUS as the sole specification for all future new construction.
Since then, a resurfacing job on Brewer’s North Main Street that incorporated 82 REXUS covers has been completed.
Joe Palombo is with Quality Water Products. He can be reached at 978-355-4641, or by email at [email protected].