The manufacturer’s covers are made of metal and come in rectangular , square , or circular shapes. There is also an octagonal cover (though closer to a square) , as well as a specially shaped cover (also resembling a square) .
No colored or gilded covers by this manufacturer have been found. Similarly, municipal emblems do not appear on the manufacturer’s covers.
In many cases, the intended use of the cover cannot be determined. Sometimes a word indicates its purpose (for example, WATER) , or it can be inferred from the name of the utility company (for example, THAMES WATER) , or from the cover itself (such as drainage covers) . The year of manufacture usually does not appear on the cover.
Standards Many covers carry the British Standard Kitemark , or the European standard EN124 with its associated load classes, B125 and D400 .
Typical covers The HIGHWAY model is one of the manufacturer’s most common types , including drainage covers . Another frequent type is the UNITE model . Many covers feature a background of small triangles (including circular covers ), squares , or other patterns , .
A large number of covers are diagonal designs (square or rectangular, divided into two triangles, where the cover is opened by lifting one of the triangles) .