When choosing a channel drain, highways cover, storm drain or gully grate for any application, it’s wise to pay close attention to weight load classes. The class denotes that a product has been tested to be able to safely hold up to the related weight.
For example, any product classified as class D400 can hold up to 40 tonnes of weight. This would cover many common heavy goods vehicles. Anything over this means the product will be at risk of not performing properly, risking damage and personal injury.
Standard weight load classes
Weight load classes are universally applied across the UK thanks to the European Standard BS EN 124:2015. The standard sets a number of requirements on the installation of access covers and gully grates in the UK, as well as defining the standard ‘groups’ into which products can fall. These groups relate to the specified classes below.
| Class | Max. weight load (tonnes) | Uses |
| A15 | 1.5 | Very light duty, pedestrian areas like gardens, patios and driveways |
| B125 | 12.5 | Domestic driveway thresholds for family cars, vans and 4x4s |
| C250 | 25 | Lightly trafficked roads and small private car parks |
| D400 | 40 | Main roads, highways and high traffic areas such as public car parks |
| E600 | 60 | Industrial estates, loading bays and cargo handling yards |
| F900 | 90 | Docks and airports, extreme heavy duty applications |
When deciding which of the weight load classes is best for your application, err on the side of caution. If you’re installing storm drain access covers in a private car park that will be supporting medium-sized delivery lorries, for example, it’s best to choose a D400 load class as opposed to a C250. This will ensure sufficient safety for anyone using the area.
Please note: Galvanised steel manhole covers fall onto a different classification scale from 2.5 tonnes to 38 tonnes. This complete classification can be found in our manhole cover sizes and load class guide.
Don’t have a gully in place yet? Explore our range and check out our drainage gully buyer’s guide for more information about the unique range of gullies you have to choose from for your requirements.
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