nissan4ever
Mechanical
- Jul 2, 2011
- 10
I work for a pipeline utility company, where we historically used circular traffic frame and covers for direct buried valves with 3.5’ to 6’ extensions that have operating nuts. Recently, the standards department has removed the typical circular frame and cover from the standard due to a history of issues. The replacement is a rectangular traffic frame and cover. Now I’ve always believed the point of a circular cover was to not drop the darn thing in the hole. One time, I opened up a sanitary sewer cover and dropped it. Since the cover was circular, it didn’t fall 8’to 13’. For my purposes, the valves will almost never be that deep. If the lid were to fall, my colleagues have commented that it would be stopped by the valve extension that is typically 3”to 6” below the road grade. Do valve companies design the extension to withstand an impact from a traffic lid? My thought is why should I rely on the valve extension to break the fall of the lid, which is fairly heavy for maybe a 17”x30” or 24”x36” H-20 full traffic rated frame and cover. In addition, there is possibility of damage to gauge taps, body bleeds, and grease fittings that are typically at the same height as the extension for maintenance purposes. What is everyone’s experience on this? Am I just overthinking the situation?
