INTRODUCTION

The HughSTEP Ladder Access System is an innovative development designed to provide safe, versatile, easy-to-install ladder access into precast concrete manholes, inspection chambers and other underground tanks such as pumping chambers and wet wells.

 

ADVANTAGES

The HughSTEP Ladder Access System meets all the essential requirements of existing Codes and Standards in respect of dimensions and performance and has been awarded a WRc Approved™ certificate.

The HughSTEP Ladder Access System is easy to install with clear Health and Safety advantages over traditional ladders. Using the tried and tested double step (rung) means of manhole access in conjunction with other high technology components, the resultant ladder is amazingly quick and cost-effective to install. There are no bespoke parts to fabricate - the HughSTEP System is available from stock.

 

BENEFITS

• Removes the need to measure and specially order a bespoke ladder for each individual manhole.

• No waiting for components. Complete the ladder when constructing each manhole. No need to return to site later.

• No need for special access or installation equipment. Simply use the installed HughSTEP ladder rungs to climb in and out of the manhole.

• Amazingly quick and straightforward to install.

• Cost effective.

• HughSTEP Ladder Access System is a safe, flexible and durable system, meeting Health and Safety requirements.

• Save time, save money - insist on HughSTEP.

 

THE SYSTEM

HughSTEP ladder rungs are fitted at the Hughes factory into any of the range of DN1050 - DN3000 concrete manhole sections which are then supplied to site for normal assembly. Appropriate stringers and fittings are delivered with the manholes for the contractor to assemble on site. Assembly is quick and straightforward with no special tools or equipment being required. The whole system can be put together with minimal access to the confined space of the manhole and with no need for special access equipment.

Installation instructions will be supplied to each individual site.

 

THE COMPONENTS

MANHOLE sections are manufactured by Hughes Concrete on high frequency compaction vibration machines using low water/cement ratio, high quality semi-dry concrete. Each manhole has locating marks on the outside. When these are correctly aligned on site, the factory fitted HughSTEP rungs will also be correctly aligned on the inside.

Sections are available in diameters DN1050, DN1200, DN1500, DN1800, DN2100, DN2400, DN2700 and DN3000 and in the standard depths of 1000mm, 750mm and 500mm (also 250mm for DN1050 - DN1500).

All manhole sections carry the Kitemark confirming compliance to BS EN1917 and BS 5911. For fuller information see the Hughes PRODUCT RANGE leaflet.

The HughSTEP RUNGS are Kitemarked and are manufactured by Caswick Ltd. from high tensile steel tube bent to shape and encapsulated in polypropylene. The yellow colour gives high visibility and the tread pattern ensures a safe surface with both good grip and high slip resistance.

Caswick Ltd. have operated a Quality System to the ISO 9000 series since 1990 and hold a BSI Licence to Kitemark steps, including the HughSTEP, to BS EN 13101.

The STRINGERS are made from a polypropylene copolymer extrusion and have a profile designed to give excellent grip characteristics.

Two alternative systems are available:

 

INSTALLATION

The ladder rungs are fitted at the Hughes factory into Kitemarked manhole sections. They are normally supplied to site 'chimney-style' on a flat-bed wagon and they should be unloaded and handled with appropriate lifting tackle in a safe and assessed manner.

The Hughes Information Sheet M7 gives instructions for assembling the HughSTEP Ladder Access System. A copy will be supplied with each delivery. Installation is a straightforward process and can be carried out by site labour in a safe manner with no special tools or prior expertise.

 

STANDARDS & APPROVAL

The HughSTEP Ladder Access System components all meet the relevant requirements of the following:
BS EN 1917:2002	Concrete manholes
BS 5911-3:2002	Concrete manholes (complementary to above)
BS EN 13101:2002	Steps for Underground Man-Entry Chambers
BS EN 752-3:2002	Drain and sewer systems outside buildings
BS EN 14396:2004	Fixed ladders for manholes
PT/250/1005-AS	WRc Assessment Schedule for 'Caswick integrated ladder system for access to sewers and underground chambers'. This has led to the award of a WRc Approved™ Certificate to Caswick Ltd on 10 October 2005
Sewers for Adoption - 6th Edition - a design and construction guide. Civil Engineering Specification for the Water Industry - 6th Edition.

 

TECHNICAL DATA

Rung pullout resistance	5kN		Stringer strength proof load 500N @ 250mm centre
Deflection under 2kN load	10mm			under 10mm
Permanent set after release of 2kN load	2mm		Chemical resistance	Equivalent to Grade 316 stainless
Permanent set after release of 4kN load	10mm
Impact resistance (20kgs from 1m)	No cracks		Bracket steel	Grade 304 stainless
Integrity of plastic	> 1 Mega ohm @ 500V
Thickness of plastic	3mm		Manholes
Cross-section of rung	30mm		SD1 DC Class	DC-4
Cross-section of stringer	25mm		Minimum cementitious content	380kgs/m3
Rung stringer hole strength	2.5kN per hole		28 day characteristic concrete strength	45N/mm2
Stringer strength ultimate load, 5kN	No failure

 

SPECIFICATION

In order to ensure that the genuine quality assured and certified manhole ladder access system is obtained, the following can be used as an appropriate specification:

'The manhole ladder access system shall be the HughSTEP system incorporating 150mm* offset rungs as supplied by Hughes Concrete Limited, Barnfields, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 5QG.'

* or 200mm, as appropriate.

 

FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS

Open manholes are considered to be a big cause of potential accidents on sites. The Hughes HandHOLD has been designed to both warn of such hazards and also to aid safe access into the manhole, thereby giving major Health and Safety benefits at low cost.

Both the HughSTEP Ladder Access System and the more traditional Hughes manhole rungs are ideal for installing a Hughes HandHOLD.

Both types of ladder rungs are specially designed to take the fixing brackets for a HandHOLD. This is a single entry pole firmly bolted to the top two rungs of the manhole and stored inside the manhole. When pulled up and twist-locked into position it becomes a stable support to aid the entrance and exit to and from a manhole. When extended, it also gives a clear visual indication that the manhole cover is open and that there is a hazard in the area.

 

Manufactured and Kitemarked to BS EN 13101:2002

HughSTEP - MANHOLE STEP LADDER SYSTEM