Along the West Coast, most cities house electrical components and other utilities underground; covered by plate and accessible by lifting and climbing down a ladder into the vault. The plate that is used as a cover to the vault can be made of several metals and will vary in thickness depending on the type of traffic it will hold. There are also various types of lift devices for aluminum access hatches. Load tables are available from a structural engineer or provided by a plate manufacturer. Aluminum plate is used often because of the lightweight and corrosion resistant properties it possesses.
Traditionally, diamond plate was the material utilized for access hatches, after time it proved to wear quickly and not retain slip resistance in wet conditions. In turn, municipalities and DOT’s began to research advanced technologies for access hatches. One option is SLIPNOT aluminum plate, which is aluminum plate coated with a metal plasma spray hatch matrix surface. The SLIPNOT coating is bonded to the metal substrate and creates a file hard surface that is a permanent solution.
Whether pedestrian hatches, H20 hatches, or another type of access hatch, SLIPNOT provides unparalleled traction for electric agencies, telecommunication agencies and municipal water departments. SLIPNOT can apply a patented aluminum coating to existing covers or fabricate and supply covers made to specific dimensions with the slip resistant surface. Non-slip aluminum access hatches have proven to be durable for high traffic settings while still providing lightweight properties for easy lifting and installation.
Many agencies have tested SLIPNOT aluminum access hatches and find it to be the safest surface for pedestrians and motorists. Cities and municipalities are taking a proactive stance on safety by reducing slip and fall accidents, which in turn lowers costs associated with slip and fall accidents.