The covers in Paris are usually made of metal

 

or concrete

 

, but there are also covers made of plastic (composite materials)

 

.
In Paris there are also covers with transparent sections, which were usually placed above basements, allowing sunlight to pass into the basement

 

.
The shapes of the covers are square

 

, rectangular

 

, round

 

, or oval

 

. In addition, covers with other shapes have been found, such as semicircles

 

and others.

There is a considerable number of round covers intended for sidewalks that are surrounded by a square frame, which greatly facilitates the paving work around them

 

.

Colored covers in Paris are mainly those that were painted after their manufacture

 

, while gilded covers are mainly intended for informational purposes

 

.

There is a small number of covers bearing the emblem of the city of Paris

 

.

Many covers were manufactured for EDF - the French electricity company

 

, for the telecommunications company France Telecom

 

, the Municipality of Paris

 

, and other bodies.

In most cases the purpose of the cover is not indicated on it, except for gas covers (the word GAZ)

 

, drainage covers (drainage slots)

 

, water covers (the word EAU or Bouche D’Incendie - fire hydrant

 

), and other purposes.

The design of the covers is not unique to the city of Paris but is typical of the cover’s manufacturer.

There are several special covers, such as the one located at the Great Synagogue of Paris

 

, or at the Church of La Madeleine

 

.

Manufacturers
The main manufacturers of covers in Paris are French manufacturers, among which can be found PAM

 

, Norinco

 

, FBM

 

and others. Covers by Cofunco, the Spanish manufacturer

 

, EJ Group, the American manufacturer (which acquired the French Norinco)

 

, and many others have also been found.

Standards
The common standards are the European standard EN124

 

and its various load classes (B125 – E600)

 

, the French NF standard

 

, Germany’s TÜV SÜD

 

, the British Kitemark

 

, and others.